What is the best way of giving to charity?

serious_saver

Until recently I've not been a position to give as regularly as I would like to charity. For the last couple of years (approx) I've been working freelance/contract and have often not known if I would have a job next week let alone what I would get paid.

We have also been living with my parents to help save for a house deposit. My parents have not charged us (except that we buy the groceries) and I haven't felt in a position to give regularly to charity because I feel that it is their money that we would be giving away and that it would slow down our move (they would really like their house back to enjoy their retirement).

Anyway, I've been lucky enough to work for a company for about 9 months now and each week they have found work for me to extend my contract. They have now offered me freelance work until Christmas and started the long process of creating a staff job for me. It could be in place in January or February.

Now that we are looking at moving and my job seems more secure I really feel that I need to make up for lost time on my charity giving.

What do people think is the best way to give to charity?

At the moment my giving is haphazard and I would like to figure out the most efficient way to donate/ the way that will benefit the charity the most.

Currently I
- give lump sums occasionally to specific campaigns like Haiti earthquake / Pakistan floods
- donate items to charity shop
- give change when I see someone collecting
- I also volunteer through out the year at different events

I won't sign up to things on the street because I've known plenty of people who have worked as chuggers and I know how much some of them get paid!!!

redpete

Give As You Earn is a scheme some employers make available. Money is taken out of your salary before you get it and distributed to the charities by an admin company. The admin company will make a small charge (maybe 3%) but the employer might pay this (mine does) so that all your money goes to the charity. I find this the easiest and most convenient way of regular giving - tax savings are automatically dealt with as the money is donated before tax.

Otherwise I would give via monthly Direct Debits or Standing Orders under the Gift Aid scheme. If you are a 40% tax payer then you would have to claim an extra allowance on the annual tax return, or I think you can declare it as regular giving and HMRC can adjust your tax code accordingly.

Savvy_Sue

I'd suggest identifying one or more charities you would like to support, and contact them direct about the best way way to do so.

Generally, it's better to give direct, using a standing order (if you don't fancy a Direct Debit which not all charities will offer!) and with Gift Aid.

Or you can volunteer your time, even if that's on an occasional basis.

serious_saver

Thank you both. I like th idea of Give As You Earn but it's not something I'll be able to do until I get my permenant contract

Savvy_Sue

serious_saver wrote: »

Thank you both. I like th idea of Give As You Earn but it's not something I'll be able to do until I get my permenant contract

the other drawback to GAYE is that it only lasts as long as you work there: if you change jobs, you have to set it up all over again, assuming the new company also offers it.

If you're giving direct, it just carries on until you review it.

Jane85

I agree with Sue - I'd contact the charity you'd like to support directly, and ask them how to set up a standing order payment with them. Regular standing order donations are really useful to charities, as it helps them to plan ahead as they have some idea of how much income they will have in the next year.

Marteebies

I like the ways to give for free, just for a bit of my time.

Some survey sites give to charities or game you play online to donate