How the UKFC works for
Non-profits
We facilitate charitable organisations, otherwise known as non-profits, (including NGOs, Civil Society, Third Sector and Development Organisations) outside the United Kingdom allowing them to maximise their donations from their UK supporters.
The UK Fund for Charities is a UK Registered Charity / non-profit that supports charitable organisations around the world.
In the United Kingdom donations to UK Registered Charities from UK taxpayers are eligible for the UK Government’s Gift Aid scheme which can increase their donations by 25%.
Charitable Organisations outside the United Kingdom that want to fundraise from their UK supporters can apply to become members of the UK Fund’s International Programme. Using an intermediary organisation, such as the UKFC, is ideal for non-profits that wish to fundraise from their UK supporters both individuals and Trusts. When considering overseas grants, some UK Trusts and Foundations may require a UK based charity partner. The UKFC can act as that supporting or intermediary organisation.
Only organisations that qualify under UK tax laws as being eligible to receive grants from UK charities will be accepted as members of the UKFC International Programme.
Cost Effective
Joining the UKFC is the ideal solution for non-UK Charities wishing to fundraise from UK taxpayers, who are unable to afford UK Registered Charity Status.
Quick & Easy
A Charity can be evaluated far quicker than it takes to be granted Registered Charity Status.
Tax Effective Giving
GIft Aid is a powerful part of UK giving. It is very much seen as an important savings and part of the charitable giving of the donor.
A step by step process of how the UKFC works for Charities / Non-profits
Your organisation wishes to raise funds from UK Taxpayers (inside or outside the UK)
Charitable Organisations outside the United Kingdom that want to fundraise from their UK supporters can apply to become members of the UK Fund’s International Programme. Using an intermediary organization is ideal for non-profits that want to fundraise from their UK supporters as economically as possible.
Regular Affiliate and Retained Amounts
There is an initial fee to join the UKFC that goes towards the cost of validating each charity. The annual renewal fee cover costs of establishing the charity’s continued eligibility.
Your donors will give to the UKFC who can then support you as an International Programme member being supported by the UKFC. You will be listed as a member and pay an annual membership fee plus a percentage of the funds you raise will be retained.
- £100.00 joining fee. £60.00 annual renewal fee
- Retained amounts as follows:
| Donation Amount | Retention |
| Up to and Including £100.00 | 20% |
| Up to £10,000.00 | 8% |
| Up to £50,000.00 | 5% |
| Over £50,000.00 | 1% |
Your charity / non-profit meets the UKFC criteria for an eligible grantee
Only organisations that qualify under UK tax laws as being eligible to receive grants from UK charities will be accepted as members of the International Programme by the Trustees of the UK Fund.
Evaluation
In evaluating a non-profit, the UKFC reviews its mission, vision, and by-laws; current activities, financial statements, and personnel, to ensure your organisation is suitable to receive grants from a UK Registered Charity. In this process, the UK Fund For Charities makes no judgements as to the value of the work you do or the capacity of your organisation to do it.
Required documents for evaluation:
- A Charity Evaluation Application Form completed in full.
- Documents that were prepared, signed, or agreed upon when your organisation was set up. These typically include a statement of your organization’s mission, vision and by-laws. If these are not in English please provide both an English translation and a copy of the original. Include name, address, email, website if any and relevant qualifications of translator. The translation should be legally endorsed. Note, the UKFC will also have the translation checked and may pass on any costs incurred.
- Literature about your programmes.
- Annual reports of the applicant organisation and financial statements for the last three years in English (translated if necessary with conditions as above).
- Photo ID documents for three directors (eg. copy of current passport).
- Your Policies on safeguarding children/young people or vulnerable adults if you support either of these groups.
Once we are satisfied that the necessary paperwork has been received, you will be asked to pay the evaluation fee of £100.00. The Board of the UKFC will then consider your application for evaluation and you will be notified of the outcome as soon as possible.
Congratulations – You’re now a member of the UKFC International Programme. Time to start fundraising!
Once approved – you will be notified in writing. You may use this letter to show potential UK donors confirmation of your affiliation with the UK Fund For Charities. If donors have any questions they are always welcome to contact the UKFC.
You are now ready to start your fundraising. Start spreading the word to all potential UK Donors. Link your website to the UKFC’s Golden Giving donations platform. Encourage anyone fundraising on your behalf in the UK to do so via the UKFC Golden Giving page.
The UK Fund can advise organisations outside the UK about their UK fundraising. For example, in addition to approaching individual supporters, it may also be appropriate to apply to UK grantmaking trusts and UK companies to fund specific projects.
Members of the International Programme are advised to advertise their membership on their website and on all fundraising materials as follows:
[Name of Organisation] is a member of the UK Fund for Charities’ International Programme and is supported by the UK Fund which is a charity registered in England and Wales No. 1097462. Donations to the UK Fund from UK taxpayers can be made under Gift Aid. A donation form is available from the UK Fund website https://www.ukfundforcharities.org or email info@ukfundforcharities.com or telephone +44 1342 871910. A donor can recommend to the trustees of the UK Fund that the donation plus the recovered tax less an administrative charge can be granted to any International Programme Member.
Please note that evaluation by the UK Fund for Charities does not guarantee that you will be successful in receiving any grants. Evaluation only ensures that once your charity is validated and becomes a member of our International Programme, UK donors may receive tax deductions for donations to the Fund that will be granted to your organization.
Grants
Grants will be approved at quarterly board meetings.
Please note: A donor may recommend which UKFC affiliate s/he wishes to support. The UKFC Board will then consider and make its grant-making decisions based on these recommendations.
UK Giving in Recent Times
One of the most striking things about Britain in the years since the financial crash of 2008 is the enduring generosity of its people in giving to others in need. Whilst the UK economy has been lashed by storms sweeping from around the world, the uncertainty of rock bottom interest rates and pressure on household incomes, giving to charity is something to which the British public remains steadfastly committed. British people will, year on year, turn to help the causes close to their hearts.
The estimated total amount donated to charity by UK adults in 2018 was £10.1 billion.
‘Medical research’ was the cause supported by the largest proportion of donors, followed by ‘children’ and ‘hospitals and hospices’.
Children/young people and animal welfare lead the list of causes supported. During the COVID pandemic charities are reporting an increased demand for services.
Sources: UK Giving in 2018 (CAF)
Gift Aid
Under UK tax law charities can increase a donation’s value through a UK Government approved programme called ‘Gift Aid’ meaning that a UK registered charity can recover the basic rate tax that a UK tax payer has paid on his/her donation. This doesn’t cost the donor anything but, at current tax rates, it increases the value of the donation by 25% in reclaimed Gift Aid tax.
The UK Fund for Charities administers a Gift Aid reclaim service so that once a donor has made a donation, provided name and address details and “ticked the Gift Aid box” the UKFC is able to make the claim to HMRC. Once the reclaimed tax has been received by the UKFC it is added to the original gift. Follow the Donation Form link to see how your donors can make their Gift Aided donations. All UK donors are very familiar with the concept of “Ticking the Gift Aid Box”.