Describe the legal recipient before collecting public donations
A UK fundraising page should make it easy to identify who is collecting the money and where it will go. An appeal for a registered charity, an informal community project and a personal emergency can involve different responsibilities. The Fundraising Regulator’s guidance emphasises clear information about platform services and donor rights. Charity Commission public guidance applies to England and Wales; organisers elsewhere in the UK should also consult the relevant charity regulator. Using a familiar platform does not remove the need to explain the beneficiary and the purpose of an appeal.[1][2][3][4][5]
Treat Gift Aid and surplus money as separate decisions
A crowdfunding contribution does not become eligible for Gift Aid simply because it supports a good cause. HMRC’s conditions concern qualifying gifts to recognised charities or community amateur sports clubs and the donor’s circumstances. Explain any applicable declaration through the receiving organisation instead of promising relief for a personal collection. Also decide how the appeal will handle money above its target, a cancelled project or an amount too small to complete the stated work. Publish those arrangements where donors can read them before paying, and retain the corresponding campaign records.[1][2][3][4][5]
UK fundraising services and official requirements
JustGiving crowdfunding
Crowdfunder
GoFundMe eligibility
Fundraising Regulator: online platforms
HMRC: Gift Aid donations
Define a UK appeal before its first donation
- Name the recipient and relevant charity jurisdiction.
- Explain the treatment of surplus or unusable funds.
- Keep Gift Aid eligibility separate from the campaign’s social value.