Businesses are being urged to make charitable donations and claim a government grant in the process, through a scheme known as ‘payroll giving’.
The programme run by the Institute of Fundraising is urging small businesses to make a donation before the end of the year and claim between £300-500 as a result.
Firms with less than 500 staff are eligible and can receive a grant for simply signing up to the scheme.
The scheme enables employees to donate money directly from their gross salary, therefore gaining direct tax relief.
Also, the first £10 of the donations will be match pound for pound for the first six months.
Julia Cleverdon, chief executive of Business in the Community, said: “Payroll Giving offers a win-win situation to everyone involved.
“If you are a small business you will receive a government grant, your employers can give to charity tax-effectively, and charities receive a regular reliable source of income.
“With the Grants programme coming to an end on 31st December, now is the time to set up a scheme.”
Lindsay Boswell, chief executive of the Institute of Fundraising, said: “Payroll Giving can be an ideal way for businesses with smaller budgets to generate a vital income stream for charities, because there are minimal administrative requirements and costs involved.
“The grants programme is designed to enable small businesses to foster a culture of giving in the workplace, and with less than four months to go till end of the programme, now is the time to take action and set up a scheme.”
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