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Charities launch new Payroll Giving Initiative
By Derval Keenan, 11/28/2005 11:24:46 AM
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Six local charities have joined together to launch a unique payroll giving initiative to encourage sustainable charitable income in Northern Ireland.
The initiative is the first of its kind in Northern Ireland and gives employees the opportunity to support their favourite charities through pre-tax donations direct from the payroll. Pre-tax donations or payroll giving enables employees to make their contributions go further, so it actually costs less to give more.
The charities ?– Age Concern NI, CLIC Sargent NI, ChildLine NI, NI Chest, Heart & Stroke Association, Royal National Institute for the Blind NI and the Ulster Cancer Foundation ?– have formed a fundraising consortium called Northern Ireland Charities Together (NICT). All provide services in Northern Ireland and represent a wide range of causes including children, health and old age.
Joyce Savage, Chair of NICT explained, ?“People in Northern Ireland traditionally donate more to charity than any other region in the UK ?– and we want to make it as easy as possible for people to do so.?”
She added, ?“Our consortium approach offers donors a realistic, easy and cost-effective way of supporting a cross section of local charities. Until now, this has only been possible through a split donation, resulting in multiple administration charges for each charity. We believe that in encouraging payroll giving, it is more cost-effective to fundraise together rather than individually and we can maximise the value of donations by encouraging people to donate through payroll giving.
?“Many people will benefit both directly and indirectly from this great example of voluntary sector co-operation. The Payroll Giving Grants Programme is currently rewarding small and medium sized companies with a one-off grant of up to £500 when they establish payroll giving. The programme will also match, pound-for-pound, the first £10 of each employee?’s monthly donations for a period of six months ?– so there has never been a better time for introducing a payroll giving scheme within companies.?”
The Lord Mayor, Councillor Wallace Browne, officially launched the consortium and payroll giving initiative today at Belfast City Hall.
If you would like to set up a payroll giving scheme within your organisation or would like to donate to Northern Ireland Charities Together, please contact NICT, tel. 08450 677 677.
Ends
For further information please contact:
Derval Keenan
PR Officer, Ulster Cancer Foundation
Tel. 0289049 2007 / 0781 2525531
Notes to Editors:
?˜ Why use payroll giving?
It?’s an easy and tax-free way to support charities you care about. Payroll giving is the most cost-effective way for charities to raise money and regular donations mean they can plan for the future.
?˜ How is it tax-free?
For every £1 you earn, you actually receive around 78p if you are a basic taxpayer. With payroll giving, your donation comes direct from your pay before tax is deducted so it will cost you 78p to donate £1 ?– the taxman pays the rest. The tax advantages are even greater for those on a higher tax rate.
?˜ Is the scheme flexible?
Yes, you can vary the amount you pay or stop payments at any time
?˜ The Payroll Giving Grants Programme is a Home Office-funded initiative, administered and promoted by the Institute of Fundraising in partnership with Business in the Community.
?˜ The Payroll Giving Grants Hotline is 0845 602 6786
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