Before donating to any UK charity appeal, check the charity is registered on the Charity Commission or Fundraising Regulator register and look for the Fundraising Badge. Gift Aid adds 25p to every £1 donated at no extra cost, and higher or additional rate taxpayers can claim further relief through Self Assessment.
TL;DR · LAST REVIEWED Updated 2 July 2026
- Check a charity on the Charity Commission register before donating.
- Gift Aid adds 25p to every £1 donated at no extra cost to you.
- Higher rate taxpayers can claim an extra 20% relief via Self Assessment; additional rate taxpayers 25%.
- Cash donations to registered charities reach disaster appeals faster than donated goods.
KEY FACTS
- The Charity Commission register and Fundraising Regulator's Fundraising Badge are the two checks to make before donating.
- Gift Aid lets registered charities reclaim an extra 25p for every £1 donated, at no extra cost to the donor.
- Higher rate (40%) taxpayers can personally claim back a further 20% of the grossed-up donation through Self Assessment.
- Additional rate (45%) taxpayers can claim back a further 25% of the grossed-up donation.
- Gift Aid claims can be backdated up to four tax years if never claimed before.
- For the current DEC Venezuela earthquake appeal, the UK government is matching public donations pound for pound up to £2 million.
- Cash donations are generally more useful than donated goods in a disaster response, as cash can be spent on whatever is most urgently needed.
When a disaster appeal is in the news, such as the Disasters Emergency Committee's current Venezuela earthquake appeal, it is worth taking a few minutes to check where a donation is actually going, and to make sure it goes as far as possible. Two separate things matter here: confirming the charity itself is genuine, and using Gift Aid so the donation is worth more at no extra cost.
Checking a charity is genuine
Registered charities in England and Wales appear on the Charity Commission's public register, searchable by name. Scottish charities are on the Scottish Charity Register (OSCR), and Northern Ireland charities are on the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland's register. Fundraising Regulator chief executive Gerald Oppenheim has said that looking for the Fundraising Badge and checking the relevant charity register are the two simple steps that give donors confidence their money is going to genuine relief efforts.
For appeals coordinated through the Disasters Emergency Committee, such as the Venezuela earthquake appeal, the constituent member charities (including British Red Cross, Oxfam and Save the Children) are established, long-registered UK charities. Donations made through a DEC appeal go to the pooled fund, distributed across the responding member charities working in the affected area.
How Gift Aid works
Gift Aid lets a UK charity reclaim the basic rate of income tax on a donation directly from HMRC. A donation of £100 with Gift Aid becomes £125 for the charity, at no extra cost to the donor. To use Gift Aid, the donor confirms they are a UK taxpayer and that they have paid or expect to pay enough income or capital gains tax that year to cover the amount the charity will claim.
Claiming extra relief as a higher or additional rate taxpayer
Basic rate taxpayers get no further benefit beyond the 25p-per-pound boost the charity receives. But anyone paying tax at 40% or 45% can personally claim back the difference between their own tax rate and the 20% basic rate the charity already claimed. On a £100 Gift Aid donation grossed up to £125, a 40% taxpayer can claim back £25, and a 45% taxpayer can claim back £31.25. This is claimed through the charitable giving section of a Self Assessment tax return, or by contacting HMRC directly for those who do not normally file one. Claims can be backdated up to four tax years.
Why cash beats goods in a disaster response
Aid organisations responding to the Venezuela earthquakes have specifically asked for cash donations rather than physical goods. Cash can be transferred quickly to where it is needed and spent on whatever is most urgent, whether that is shelter, clean water or medical care, while donated goods require sorting, storage and transport that can slow down an emergency response.
RELATED GUIDES
DISCLAIMER
This article is editorial information, not financial advice. Kael Tripton Ltd is not authorised or regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Figures were correct at the last review date shown above; verify current rates and rules with the primary sources listed below before acting.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a charity is genuine before donating in the UK?
Search the charity on the Charity Commission register for England and Wales, the Scottish Charity Register, or the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland register depending on where it is registered. Also look for the Fundraising Badge from the Fundraising Regulator.
How much does Gift Aid add to a donation?
Gift Aid adds 25p for every £1 donated at no extra cost to the donor, because the charity reclaims the basic rate of income tax from HMRC on top of the donation.
Can I claim extra tax relief on Gift Aid donations?
Yes, if you pay tax at the higher rate (40%) or additional rate (45%). You can claim the difference between your tax rate and the 20% basic rate the charity already claimed, through Self Assessment.
Is it better to donate cash or goods to a disaster appeal?
Cash is generally more useful, since it can be transferred quickly and spent on whatever is most urgently needed, while donated goods require sorting, storage and transport.
SOURCES
- GOV.UK: Venezuela earthquakes, what you can do to help – accessed 2 July 2026
- GOV.UK: Tax relief when you donate to a charity, Gift Aid – accessed 2 July 2026
