A donation lands on your fundraising page. You feel grateful, busy and suddenly unsure what to write back. A thoughtful thank-you can take less than a minute when you know which detail to include.

New Fundraising Regulator research, published on 3 September 2026, found that 64% of people described their experience of supporting charities over the previous year as positive. People who had a positive experience were more likely to say they would support charities in future.¹ Your reply is one small part of that experience.

Use these four starting points, then change at least one sentence so it sounds like you.

1. Thank someone for a new donation

Name the gift and the difference it makes to your day. You can keep the message short:

Thank you, Priya. Seeing your donation after this morning's training gave me a real lift. I am proud to be raising money for Northside Community Kitchen.

If you know the donor, add a shared detail. Mention the rainy training walk they asked about, the colleague who introduced you or the reason the charity matters to you both. One true detail carries more warmth than a long generic message.

2. Reply to a donor's own message

When someone leaves encouragement, respond to what they actually said:

Thanks, Tom. Your message about Mum made me smile. She would have loved the idea of all of us taking on this walk together.

Wonderful.org lets fundraisers reply to a donation from the fundraising-page dashboard. The reply appears in the donation feed on the public page. Donor names and messages are optional, so write a reply that still makes sense when either is missing.²

Read our guide to explaining a Wonderful.org donation without pressure if a supporter also asked about the payment journey.

3. Mark a fundraising milestone

A milestone thank-you can show progress without turning straight into another request:

We have just passed £500. Thank you to everyone who has donated, shared the page or sent encouragement. I am carrying every message into the final two weeks of training.

Choose a milestone that means something to your fundraiser: the first donation, halfway to the target, the longest training session or the final week. Keep any claim about the charity's work accurate. If you want to explain what a sum could achieve, ask the charity for current wording first.

Our five checks before sharing a fundraising page can help you keep the charity, purpose and target clear when you post the update.

4. Close the challenge with a useful update

Tell donors what happened and what their support meant:

We finished the coastal walk in six hours and 18 minutes, with one soaking and plenty of tea. Thank you for helping us raise £840 for Northside Community Kitchen. Your messages kept us moving.

Add one photograph or detail from the day. If plans changed, explain that plainly. The Fundraising Regulator's guidance asks fundraisers to be open, honest and respectful, and to help donors make informed decisions.³ Those values apply after the event too.

Your Wonderful.org page can remain available after the fundraising date, so late donations may still arrive. Reply when you can and keep the final update visible. The older guide to building a strong fundraising page also recommends replying to donations and posting a collective thank-you when the event ends.

Write the next reply now

Open your latest donation. Thank the person, mention one specific detail and stop there. A sincere reply does not need a fresh appeal attached to it.

Further reading

• New research reveals what builds public confidence in fundraising
• Key behaviours expected of fundraisers

Footnotes

1. Fundraising Regulator, New research reveals what builds public confidence in fundraising, updated 3 September 2026. Read the research.
2. Wonderful support, Replying to donation messages. Read the product guide.
3. Fundraising Regulator, Key behaviours expected of fundraisers, updated 4 November 2025. Read the guidance.

A message from a software or service supplier can start a fast-moving response. These five checks help charity trustees establish the facts, protect people and make sound reporting decisions.

The Charity Commission published guidance on 7 August 2026 for charities affected by the Beacon cyber security incident. It encouraged affected charities to consider their duties to the Commission and the Information Commissioner's Office, and to communicate openly with the people affected.¹ The same first-response discipline is useful whenever a supplier reports a data incident.

1. Record when your charity became aware

Start a timed incident log. Record when the message arrived, who received it, what the supplier said and which trustee or senior colleague is leading the response.

Ask the supplier for the incident date, discovery date, affected systems, data fields, people, containment steps and next update time. Ask whether anyone accessed or downloaded the data. Mark each point as confirmed, estimated or still unknown. The Information Commissioner's Office says a processor must tell the organisation responsible for the data without undue delay after becoming aware of a breach.²

2. Map the data and contain the risk

Identify which donors, beneficiaries, volunteers, staff or partners may be affected. Note whether the data includes contact details, financial information, health information, safeguarding records or login credentials. Consider the harm that misuse, loss or exposure could cause.

Take proportionate containment steps with the supplier. These may include resetting credentials, ending old sessions, restricting access and preserving evidence. If your charity downloads donation or Gift Aid data from Wonderful.org, the donation data export guide explains what can be exported. Record where your charity keeps those files and who can access them.

3. Make each reporting decision promptly

The ICO says a personal data breach must be reported within 72 hours of awareness when it is likely to create a risk to people's rights and freedoms. A high risk also requires affected people to be told without undue delay. Every personal data breach must be documented, including the facts, effects and remedial action.²

Charity Commission reporting uses a separate test. Trustees should consider a serious incident report when an event causes or risks significant harm to people, the charity's money or assets, its work or its reputation. Trustees remain responsible for deciding whether to report, including when the incident involves a partner or supplier.³ Report suspected cyber crime through Report Fraud in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, or Police Scotland on 101 in Scotland.

4. Give people useful facts

Prepare a short update that says what happened, what information may be involved, what your charity is doing and when people will hear more. Give practical advice when there is a clear action, such as changing a reused password or watching for messages that impersonate the charity.

Direct supporters to an official charity page for updates. Our guide to checking a social media appeal before donating shows the details donors may verify. Check that public contact and campaign information is current using the 30-minute autumn appeal clarity check.

5. Keep the record open until actions are complete

Track decisions, owners and deadlines in the incident log. Record the reasons for each ICO and Charity Commission reporting decision. Add later information from the supplier and keep copies of notices sent to affected people.

Once the immediate risk is controlled, review supplier access, data retention, contracts, backups and the charity's response plan. The Charity Commission recommends a response plan that identifies roles, reporting routes and recovery steps.⁴ Give trustees a final summary and record the agreed improvements.

Immediate action: open a timestamped incident log now. Add the time your charity first became aware, the response lead, the supplier contact and the next update deadline.

This article provides general information, not legal or data protection advice. Use the current regulator guidance and seek specialist advice for your charity's circumstances.

Further reading

• Personal data breaches: a guide
• How to report a serious incident in your charity
• Protect your charity from cyber crime

Footnotes

1. Charity Commission, Guidance for charities affected by the Beacon cyber security incident, published 7 August 2026. Read the guidance.
2. Information Commissioner's Office, Personal data breaches: a guide. Read the guidance.
3. Charity Commission, How to report a serious incident in your charity, updated 16 January 2026. Read the guidance.
4. Charity Commission, Protect your charity from cyber crime, published 27 November 2024. Read the guidance.

A social media appeal can reach you at exactly the moment help is needed. Before you give, take two minutes to check who is asking, what the money will support and where your donation will go.

The Charity Commission's 2026 risk assessment, published on 18 August, says most charities operate without issues that concern the regulator. It also reports that cases involving concerns about charitable status being abused for private benefit rose by 29% to 374 in 2025-26.¹ A short check helps your generosity reach the cause you intended.

1. Check the charity behind the appeal

Look for the charity's full name and registration number. For charities in England and Wales, search the Charity Commission register and compare the name, aims and official website with the appeal. The register also shows trustees, finances and recent reporting information.² Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate registers.

Some legitimate organisations will not appear on the England and Wales register because they are exempt, excepted or below the usual registration threshold. If you cannot find a match, use the charity's official website or contact it directly before giving.

2. Read what the money will support

A clear appeal should identify the charity, the people or purpose it will support and how donations will reach the charity. The Fundraising Regulator's current social media guidance says fundraising information should cover the beneficiaries, intended impact, evidence behind claims and the scope of the appeal, including any secondary purpose.³

Open the linked fundraising page and read beyond the social post. Check the target, dates and what will happen if plans change. Our guide to the five checks a fundraiser should make before sharing a page shows the information you should expect to find.

3. Open a trusted donation route

An unexpected message can use a familiar logo, name or photograph. The Charity Commission's Donate with Confidence campaign advises donors to pause before clicking and to check the charity independently.⁴ Search for its official website or find the fundraiser through the platform itself.

On Wonderful.org, each fundraising page is connected to a charity listed on the platform. Donations are transferred directly from the donor's account to the charity's account. Wonderful.org charges no platform or processing fee and makes no tip request.⁵ If the bank-payment step is unfamiliar, read this calm explanation of a Wonderful.org donation before continuing.

4. Pause when the details do not line up

Treat social account badges and familiar branding as supporting clues. Check the account name, website address, charity number and donation destination together. Pressure to act immediately, a personal bank account, a recently created lookalike page or conflicting charity details all justify a pause.

Contact the charity through details you found independently. If an appeal appears fraudulent, report the post to the social platform and make a report through Report Fraud, the reporting service for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. People in Scotland should report fraud through Police Scotland on 101.⁶

Make the check part of giving

Open the charity register now and search for the organisation named in the appeal. Then return through its official website or the fundraising platform and confirm that the charity, purpose and donation route all match. When they do, you can give with confidence.

Further reading

• Donate with Confidence: steps to safer giving
• Search the Charity Commission register
• Report fraud and cyber crime

This article provides general information, not legal or financial advice. If you think fraud has occurred, contact your bank promptly and use the appropriate police reporting service.

Footnotes

1. Charity Commission, Charity Sector Risk Assessment 2026, published 18 August 2026. Link
2. GOV.UK, Search the charity register. Link
3. Fundraising Regulator, Fundraising on social media, updated 21 July 2026. Link
4. Charity Commission, Donate with Confidence. Link
5. Wonderful.org, Fees and charges. Link
6. Report Fraud, UK reporting and support service. Link

For many charities, September is when fundraising activity becomes noticeably busier. The most useful preparation is often not a new campaign concept. It is making the journey you already have clearer.

The current Code of Fundraising Practice has been in effect since November 2025, and the Fundraising Regulator updated its social media guidance in June 2026. Both emphasise open, honest communication about who benefits, what an appeal is intended to achieve and what happens if plans change.

If your charity is already listed on Wonderful.org, set aside 30 minutes and work through these five checks.

Five minutes: refresh your charity profile

Open your public charity page on a phone, not just on a desktop screen.

Check that your logo and cover image are current, your description explains your work in plain English, and the first few lines answer three questions:

• Who do you help?
• What do you do?
• Why is support needed now?

Charities listed on Wonderful.org manage their profile through their Wonderful account at wonderful.co.uk. A small wording update here improves every visit to the page, not only one campaign.

Ten minutes: tighten the appeal wording

For a specific appeal, write down the intended outcome in one sentence. Then test it against this short list:

• Beneficiaries: Is it clear who or what will benefit?
• Impact: Have you described what the fundraising is intended to achieve?
• Evidence: Can you support any numbers or claims you use?
• Scope: Is the money for your charity's work generally, or for one restricted purpose?
• Secondary purpose: If you raise more than needed, or the original plan cannot proceed, have you explained what will happen?

If the full explanation will not fit into a social post, link directly to a page where the information is easy to find. The Fundraising Regulator says required information should remain easy, accessible and visible; a short character limit is not a reason to omit it.

Five minutes: test the donation route

Wonderful charities have a direct donation page and a QR code for it. Use one clear donation link consistently across email, social posts, printed material and event signage.

Test the route yourself on mobile. Check that the link opens the expected charity page, the call to action is visible and any QR code scans from the size and distance at which people will actually see it.

Avoid presenting several competing payment instructions beside one another. A single, trusted route is easier for donors to understand and easier for your team to support.

Five minutes: give fundraisers a three-line brief

Supporters often describe a cause in their own words. Help them stay accurate by providing three ready-to-use lines:

1. Your registered charity name and number.
2. One sentence describing the people or purpose the appeal supports.
3. One sentence explaining the intended use of donations and any secondary purpose.

If a supporter is fundraising independently, they should usually describe their activity as "in aid of" your charity. Encourage them to use a reputable fundraising platform rather than collecting donations through a personal bank account.

Five minutes: assign the follow-up

Decide who owns each of these small but important jobs:

• Check the public page and campaign links once a week.
• Answer donor or fundraiser questions.
• Download donation and Gift Aid data on an agreed schedule.
• Share one progress update or thank-you after the appeal.

Wonderful charities can download donation information and Gift Aid data as a CSV from the Donation data section of their account. A dated monthly export is a simple starting routine for a small team; adapt the frequency to your volume and internal controls.

Clarity compounds

None of these checks requires a new platform, a large budget or a long planning meeting. Together, they make the appeal easier to understand, easier to share and easier to administer.

Start with the public page. Open it on your phone, read the first paragraph and change the one sentence that would help a new donor most.

Further reading

• Code of Fundraising Practice
• Fundraising on social media
• Charity fundraising appeals for specific purposes
• Wonderful support: exporting donation data
• Wonderful support: creating QR codes

This article provides general operational information, not legal advice. Trustees remain responsible for their charity's fundraising decisions and should use the current regulatory guidance or professional advice where needed.

Charities in England and Wales have a practical date to add to the diary. New accounting and examination thresholds come into force on 30 September 2026 and apply to accounting years ending on or after that date.

The change could reduce the level of external scrutiny required for some smaller charities. Trustees still need good records, annual accounts and a trustees' annual report. The useful step now is to identify which rules will apply at your next year end.

Start with your accounting year end

The effective date is tied to the end of your accounting year. A charity with a year ending on 31 August 2026 remains under the current thresholds for that set of accounts. A year ending on 30 September 2026 falls under the new thresholds.

This is separate from the new Charities SORP 2026, the reporting standard for charities preparing accruals accounts. SORP 2026 applies to reporting periods starting on or after 1 January 2026.

Check the thresholds that affect your charity

The Charity Commission's current summary sets out the main changes:

• Independent examination will be required when annual income is over £40,000, up from £25,000.
• A professionally qualified independent examiner will be required when income is over £500,000, up from £250,000.
• A non-company charity will be able to choose receipts and payments accounts when income is below £500,000, up from £250,000.
• The main audit income threshold will rise from over £1 million to over £1.5 million. The related asset test and group-accounts threshold will also increase.

The government retained two other limits. Registered charities with income over £10,000 must still complete an annual return. The threshold for sending a charity's annual report and accounts to the Commission remains £25,000. This means a charity between £25,000 and £40,000 income may still need to file its report and accounts even when an independent examination is no longer required. The government's consultation response explains those decisions.

Confirm your legal structure

Structure affects the accounting route available to you. The higher receipts-and-payments limit applies to non-company charities. Charitable companies and charitable incorporated organisations have their own accounting and filing requirements, so confirm your structure before changing the format of your accounts.

The new limits apply in England and Wales. Charities registered in Scotland or Northern Ireland should use the guidance from their own regulator.

The new Order has been made, and Parliament records 30 September 2026 as its coming-into-force date. Charity Commission guidance is due to be updated before then. Keep an eye on that guidance if your income is close to a threshold or your structure is unusual.

Keep your donation records ready

Threshold changes do not reduce trustees' responsibility for accurate records. Reconcile donations against your bank records and accounting system, and keep a clear audit trail for any restricted funds.

Charities already using Wonderful.org can download donation and Gift Aid data for a chosen date range. Treat that export as one source record within your wider accounts. Gift Aid still depends on a valid donor declaration, and the charity claims it from HMRC.

Take four checks to your next trustee meeting

1. Write down your accounting year end and whether it falls before or after 30 September 2026.
2. Confirm your charity's legal structure.
3. Compare expected annual income and assets with every relevant threshold.
4. Ask your examiner, accountant or adviser what changes for the next accounts, then record the agreed approach in the minutes.

Immediate action: put your year end, structure and expected income beside the new thresholds before your next trustee meeting.

This article provides general information for charities in England and Wales. It is not legal or accounting advice. Trustees remain responsible for meeting the requirements that apply to their charity.

Further reading

• Changes to charity accounting and reporting - Charity Commission
• Government response on financial thresholds in charity law - DCMS
• The Charities Acts 1992 and 2011 (Substitution of Sums) Order 2026 - legislation.gov.uk
• Internal financial controls for charities - Charity Commission

If a charity emails you after a donation, you may wonder when you agreed to hear from it again. The answer changed this year.

Since 5 February 2026, a UK charity can sometimes send fundraising emails, texts or social-media direct messages without getting your prior consent. The rule is called the charitable purposes soft opt-in. It can help a charity keep genuine supporters informed, but it comes with strict conditions and does not remove your right to say no.

When the new rule can apply

The Information Commissioner's Office guidance says every one of these conditions must be met:

• The sender is a charity.
• The charity collected your contact details directly from you on or after 5 February 2026.
• You gave those details while expressing an interest in its charitable work, or while offering or providing support.
• The message is solely intended to further the charity's charitable purposes.
• You were given a simple way to opt out when your details were collected.
• Every later marketing message also gives you a simple way to opt out.

Imagine you donate on a charity's own website. The charity asks for your email address and clearly offers a box you can tick if you do not want fundraising updates. You leave it unticked. A later email about the charity's work or a new appeal may be covered by the soft opt-in, even though you did not tick a separate consent box.

The rule is narrow. An address collected before 5 February cannot simply be moved into a soft opt-in list. Nor can a charity rely on it because your address happens to be public or appears on a list it has bought.

A donation through a fundraising platform is different

Direct collection matters. The ICO gives the specific example of a donation made through a third-party online fundraising platform: if the platform collected the email address and passed it to the charity, the charity cannot use the charitable purposes soft opt-in for that address.

That distinction protects the choice you made during the donation journey. Wonderful.org's donor terms say that a charity, fundraiser or Wonderful may contact a donor when the donor has given express consent through the donor page. Donating through Wonderful.org does not by itself create a charitable purposes soft opt-in for the charity.

You can change your mind at any time

Every marketing email should contain a clear unsubscribe option. Texts and direct messages need an equally simple route to stop them. Once you opt out, the organisation must stop using that channel for unsolicited marketing under the soft opt-in.

Start with the unsubscribe link or the instructions in the message. If you do not recognise the sender, avoid replying or clicking. Find the charity's official website independently and use the contact details in its privacy notice instead. The ICO's advice for unwanted marketing emails also explains how to report messages that continue after you have opted out.

The Fundraising Regulator's practical guide, updated on 7 July, adds an important reminder: charities should consider whether sending the message is fair and appropriate, especially where a person may be vulnerable. Meeting the basic checklist is not a reason to ignore the effect on the recipient.

Keep the updates that help

Some charity messages are genuinely useful. They can show what happened after an appeal, invite you to volunteer or tell you about another way to help. The new rule gives charities more flexibility to send them, while leaving the final choice with you.

The next time a charity message arrives, check who collected your details, look for the opt-out and keep only the updates you want.

Further reading

• ICO: charitable purposes soft opt-in requirements
• Fundraising Regulator: charitable purposes soft opt-in and fundraising marketing
• ICO: stop and report unwanted marketing emails

This article provides general information, not legal advice. The rules depend on how and when an organisation collected your details and what it sends.

A friend wants to support your fundraiser, then pauses when the donation page asks them to choose their bank. That pause does not mean they doubt your cause. The payment route may simply be unfamiliar.

New research published by the Fundraising Regulator on 16 July 2026 found that 52% of UK adults felt comfortable with online fundraising platforms, three percentage points lower than in its previous survey. Comfort was 31% among people aged 65 and over, although 68% of adults felt comfortable sponsoring an individual. The study surveyed 3,018 adults in May 2026. Read the research.

For fundraisers, the lesson is simple: explain the journey, leave the decision with the donor and never make hesitation awkward.

Start by listening

Ask what feels unclear. They may want to know where the money goes, why there is no card option or whether their bank is supported. Answer that question only.

Do not turn reassurance into persuasion. The current Code of Fundraising Practice says regulated fundraising must be open, honest and respectful. It also says fundraisers must not apply undue pressure, make unreasonably persistent approaches or ignore a request to end an interaction. Those are sensible standards for any personal fundraiser to follow. See the Code’s behaviour standards.

Explain the payment in one sentence

Try this:

On Wonderful.org, you choose your bank and approve the donation in your own mobile banking app or online banking, then the money is transferred directly to the charity.

That is an instant bank payment, sometimes called Pay by Bank. The Financial Conduct Authority explains that a regulated payment initiation service lets someone pay directly from their bank account with their consent, instead of using a debit or credit card. Read the FCA explanation.

Wonderful.org does not deduct a platform or processing fee and does not ask the donor to add a tip. The donation goes directly to the charity’s bank account. See how Wonderful.org works.

Keep one qualification clear: not every bank or payment type is supported. If that matters, check the current supported-banks information rather than guessing.

Let the donor stay in control

Send the direct link to your Wonderful.org fundraising page and let the donor complete the journey on their own device. Never ask to see their banking password, security code or full login details, and do not offer to take over their phone.

The FCA advises people to check that a payment provider is authorised or registered and not to share banking security details when they are unsure who they are dealing with. Wonderful Payments Ltd is identified on Wonderful.org as an FCA-authorised payment institution, with firm reference number 964289.

Use the Donate button on the page. Do not improvise by asking someone to send money to your personal bank account. The Charity Commission and Fundraising Regulator advise public fundraisers to use a reputable platform or payment transfer system and to avoid personal accounts, which can create suspicion and possible tax complications. Read the public fundraising guidance.

Make “not today” easy

If someone does not want to use an online bank payment, accept that calmly. If their bank is not supported, they can contact the charity to ask whether it offers another donation route. They can also help by sharing your page or encouraging you.

After a donation, a simple thank-you is enough. Do not immediately add another request. The Fundraising Regulator’s new research found a clear association between positive fundraising experiences and willingness to support charities again. A respectful ending is part of that experience.

A ready-to-use explanation

Copy and adapt these two sentences:

Donations on Wonderful.org are approved securely in your own banking app or online banking and go directly to the charity. There is no platform or processing fee and no tip request, but please only donate if the payment route feels right for you.

Before your next share, add that explanation beneath your fundraising link. Then leave space for the person to decide.

Further reading

• The public’s experience and expectations of charitable fundraising
• FCA: account information and payment initiation services
• Wonderful support: supported payment types
• Raising money for charity: public guidance

This article provides general information, not legal or financial advice. Payment availability and regulatory guidance can change, so check the linked sources if you are unsure.

Setting up a fundraising page can take minutes. Earning a donor's confidence takes a little more thought.

New guidance from the Charity Commission and Fundraising Regulator, published in June 2026, is a timely reminder that members of the public are responsible for fundraising they organise. The good news is that the guidance is practical. Before you copy that link into a message or social post, give your page this five-minute check.

1. Name the charity clearly

Tell people which charity you are supporting and, where useful, include its registered charity number. If you are fundraising independently, describe your activity as "in aid of" the charity. That makes it clear that you are acting in a personal capacity and the charity is not responsible for organising your challenge.

On Wonderful.org, your fundraising page is already connected to a charity listed on the platform. Still, use your own opening lines to explain why you chose it. A clear personal connection is far more persuasive than a generic "please donate".

2. Say what donations will support

Be specific enough for a donor to understand the intended impact.

"I'm raising £750 for Northside Community Kitchen" is clear. "I'm raising £750 to help Northside Community Kitchen provide hot lunches during the school holidays" is clearer still.

If you want money to be used for a particular project, speak to the charity before you publish. Check that it can accept donations for that purpose and ask what should happen if circumstances change or more is raised than the project needs. A simple secondary purpose can prevent confusion later.

3. Add a target, a date and a backup plan

A target gives supporters something to rally around. An end date creates momentum. Neither needs to be dramatic, but both should be realistic.

If your fundraising depends on completing a challenge, tell donors what will happen if you cannot finish it. For example:

If injury or unsafe weather prevents me from completing the route on 12 September, I will rearrange it for the next suitable date. Donations will still go to the charity.

That one sentence answers a question before anyone needs to ask it.

4. Be open about money and expenses

Donors should know how their money reaches the charity and whether anything will be taken out first.

With Wonderful.org, donations are made by instant bank payment and transferred directly from the donor's bank account to the charity's bank account. Wonderful.org does not deduct a platform or processing fee and does not ask the donor to leave a tip.

If you plan to recover any personal costs from the money raised, say so before accepting donations. Better still, where you can, keep challenge expenses separate from charitable donations.

Use the Donate button on your Wonderful page rather than asking supporters to send money to a personal account. This keeps the route clear and gives donors a consistent, secure experience.

5. Read it once as a stranger

Imagine you know nothing about the fundraiser, the charity or the challenge. Can you answer these questions within 30 seconds?

• Who is fundraising?
• Which charity will receive the donations?
• What is the fundraiser doing, and when?
• Why does the cause matter to them?
• What will the money support?
• What happens if the plan changes?

If one answer is missing, add a sentence. You do not need a longer story; you need a clearer one.

Then keep the page alive

Sharing is not a one-off event. Wonderful fundraisers can post updates from their page dashboard. A training photo, a milestone, a change of plan or a quick thank-you gives you a natural reason to share the page again without repeating the same request.

Before you send your first message, open your page one last time on a phone. Check the image, the first paragraph and the Donate button. Five calm minutes now can make the whole fundraiser feel more trustworthy.

Ready? Review your fundraising page, make one useful improvement, then share it.

Further reading

• Raising money for charity: public guidance
• How to create a fundraising page on Wonderful.org
• Posting updates on your Wonderful fundraising page

This article offers general information, not legal advice. Rules and guidance can change, so check the linked sources if your appeal is unusual or restricted to a specific purpose.

Gift Aid lets an eligible charity claim an extra 25p for every £1 you donate, at no extra cost to you. A £20 donation could therefore become £25 for the charity.

The box is valuable, but it is not a general bonus to add to every payment. HMRC's detailed guidance was updated in June 2026. Here is the short version for donors.

Tick the box when all three statements are true

1. It is your own money

The donation must come from you. It can be paid by bank transfer, including an instant bank payment, but you cannot normally apply Gift Aid to money you have collected from friends, family or colleagues and then pass on as one payment.

2. You are making a genuine donation

You are not buying a ticket, entering a raffle, paying for goods or receiving a significant benefit in return. Those payments may still raise important funds, but they are not necessarily Gift Aid donations.

3. You have paid enough UK tax

In the same tax year, you must have paid at least as much UK Income Tax or Capital Gains Tax as all the charities you support will reclaim on your Gift Aid donations.

For a £20 Gift Aid donation, the charity can normally claim £5. If you make several Gift Aid donations during the tax year, consider the total tax reclaimed across all of them.

Leave it unticked in these common situations

• You collected £100 from colleagues and are paying it to the charity in one transaction.
• A parent or friend gave you money to donate on their behalf.
• The payment is for a raffle ticket, event admission, an auction purchase or another good or service.
• You are donating on behalf of a limited company. Company donations follow different tax rules.
• You have not paid enough UK Income Tax or Capital Gains Tax to cover the Gift Aid that charities would reclaim.

Leaving the box unticked does not reduce your original donation. It simply means the charity will not claim Gift Aid on that payment.

What about a message from the whole family?

The message does not decide who owns the money.

If you donate £20 of your own money and write "with love from the whole family", the donation can still qualify if the normal conditions are met. If another family member gave you the £20 to pass on, it is not your own donation and you should not apply Gift Aid in your name.

What happens on Wonderful.org?

When you make an eligible donation through Wonderful.org, you can complete a Gift Aid declaration during the donation journey. Wonderful passes the declaration data to the charity. The charity then makes its own claim directly from HMRC.

Your donation itself is made by instant bank payment and transferred directly to the charity's bank account. Wonderful.org does not deduct a platform or processing fee and does not ask you to add a tip.

If you are unsure

Do not guess. Leave Gift Aid unticked and check the current HMRC guidance, or ask the charity. This is especially important for sponsored events where money has been collected from other people, or where tickets, goods, benefits or challenge costs are involved.

Gift Aid works best when the declaration is accurate. One honest pause can save a charity extra administration later.

The next time you donate, ask two questions: is this my money, and have I paid enough UK tax? If both answers are yes and it is a genuine gift, the Gift Aid box may be right for you.

Further reading

• HMRC Chapter 3: Gift Aid
• Wonderful support: Gift Aid
• Wonderful support: tickets, events and raffles

This article is general information, not tax advice. Gift Aid eligibility depends on individual circumstances and current HMRC rules.

This October, Michael is taking on the Oxford Half Marathon, running 13.1 miles to raise funds for Edge Housing, a charity that transforms the lives of people experiencing homelessness or vulnerable housing situations in Oxfordshire. Growing up in Bicester and now working with the Kier Construction team on the HMP Bullingdon project, Michael feels a strong connection to the local community and the challenges many face in securing safe housing.

Michael’s motivation comes from seeing how homelessness affects individuals and families, and he wants to make a tangible difference. “I’ve been inspired by the incredible work Edge Housing does,” he says. “I know it’s going to be tough to run 13 miles, but if I can help even one person have a safer home and a brighter future, it’s worth every step.”

What Edge Housing Does

Edge Housing provides more than just accommodation. Their holistic, trauma-informed approach recognises that homelessness often comes with complex personal, social, and psychological challenges.

• Safe and supported accommodation: Edge Housing offers properties and supported housing placements where individuals can feel secure.
• Personalised support: Residents receive tailored guidance to address their specific needs, from counselling and mental health support to help navigating benefits or social services.
• Skills and development opportunities: Programmes help residents gain skills, training, and employment opportunities, paving the way for long-term independence.
• Community and advocacy: Edge Housing raises awareness about homelessness, advocates for policy change, and builds partnerships to help residents thrive.

By combining practical support with personal empowerment, Edge Housing helps individuals rebuild their lives with confidence, dignity, and independence.

Michael’s fundraising challenge

Michael has set a fundraising goal of £1,000 to contribute to Edge Housing’s work. Every pound raised will help the charity continue providing accommodation, support, and development opportunities to vulnerable people.

His training is underway, and he’s committed to completing the full 13.1 miles of the Oxford Half Marathon. For Michael, the effort is personal: “I hope my run will show people that even small actions can make a big difference in someone’s life,” he says.

Why your support matters

Homelessness can affect anyone, at any stage of life, and its causes are often complex. Charities like Edge Housing fill a vital gap, providing more than temporary shelter—they help people rebuild their lives. By supporting Michael’s challenge, you’re helping fund accommodation, vital support services, and programmes that give residents the tools and confidence they need to thrive independently.

Visit his fundraising page to contribute today.

On November 8th, Maggie is taking on a 10km swim to raise funds for Eat or Heat, a charity dedicated to supporting families who face the impossible choice between heating their homes and putting food on the table. Having previously completed a 4km swim, Maggie is now pushing herself to complete the full marathon distance—an inspiring feat that will take around four hours in the pool.

Eat or Heat, based in Walthamstow, has been helping the local community for nearly 14 years. They provide practical support such as food parcels, energy vouchers, and guidance to families struggling with rising living costs. Beyond immediate assistance, the charity works to raise awareness of fuel poverty and advocate for long-term solutions to help families live with dignity.

Maggie has set herself a fundraising target of £300, and all donations will go directly to the charity to help them continue their vital work. Every contribution helps ensure that no family has to choose between keeping warm and eating.

To support Maggie’s challenge and make a tangible difference for families in need, visit her fundraising page. Her dedication shows how one person’s determination can make a real impact on their community.

Eleven-year-old Max from Storrington is gearing up for a 13-mile walk/run to raise funds for Herons Dale Primary School in Shoreham-by-Sea. On Sunday, 19th October, Max will be making the journey from his home to his brother Zak’s school—a challenge he’s taking on with determination and a big heart.

Herons Dale is a special needs school supporting 145 pupils with a wide range of additional needs. The school provides tailored learning, therapies, and equipment to help children develop skills, gain confidence, and thrive. While core funding covers basic operations, extra support from fundraising allows the school to purchase sensory equipment, fund therapy sessions, and organise activities that make a real difference in children’s lives.

Max has set himself a £500 fundraising goal and has already raised over £200. He’s inviting friends, family, and the local community to back his challenge—whether by donating, cheering him on along the route, or joining him at the finish line. Every pound raised will go directly to The Friends of Herons Dale Primary School, a registered charity dedicated to enhancing the school’s resources and opportunities for pupils.

Max’s determination is inspiring—and his 13-mile challenge shows that even the youngest in our communities can make a big difference.

Support Max on his fundraising journey here.

Niemann-Pick UK (NPUK) is the only UK charity wholly dedicated to supporting families affected by Niemann-Pick diseases. These are rare, progressive genetic conditions (such as ASMD types A/B and NPC) with no known cure, and the impact touches every part of life.

What Niemann-Pick UK Does

• Care, support and advice
  From diagnosis onwards, NPUK offers emotional and practical help — for newly diagnosed patients, their families, carers and professionals.
• Information and awareness
  They publish guides, raise understanding of symptoms, and promote better knowledge in medical, social, and educational settings.
• Advocacy and research facilitation
  They encourage, fund, and partner in research into treatments and therapies. NPUK also campaigns to improve recognition, access to care, and support for people living with Niemann-Pick.
• Reducing isolation and building community
  Through events, conferences, publications, and peer connection, NPUK gives those affected a voice and a sense of community.

Why NPUK’s work matters

Because Niemann-Pick diseases are ultra-rare, many families feel alone, face diagnostic delays, or struggle to access specialist care. NPUK bridges those gaps. They support people whose journeys are often misunderstood and under-resourced, helping them access services, stay informed, and feel less isolated.

In recent times, NPUK has faced additional challenges: a malicious fire in September 2025 destroyed their central office, threatening their ability to deliver services.

If you’d like to support their work, here’s how:

• Donate, to help maintain essential services and rebuild infrastructure
• Fundraise — host a challenge, event, or campaign in support
• Raise awareness — share credible information about Niemann-Pick diseases
• Volunteer or contribute skills, especially in communications, advocacy, or community building

To learn more or get involved, visit NPUK’s website or see their profile on Wonderful.

Aid International Development is a grant-making, fundraising trust that exists to support other charities and local organisations around the world. Since its foundation in November 2000, AID has helped mobilise people and resources so that good work already being done can go further.

What They Do

• Organising fundraising events: AID runs treks, bike rides, marathons and other sponsored events globally. Participants raise money for charities of their choice through these challenges.
• Build / mission teams: Each year, AID sends small teams to work on the ground in places like India, Guatemala, Zambia, and Mozambique. They partner with local charities to help with construction, community support, or other projects.
• Grant-making & poor fund: After events, a portion of what is raised goes directly to the nominated charities, while another part goes into a “poor fund” which AID uses to finance various projects in regions with high need.

Where and who they help

AID works primarily through partners in countries including Zambia, India, Guatemala, Mozambique and the Philippines, as well as occasionally in Romania, Uganda and other locations.

They aim to relieve poverty and support vulnerable communities, often helping children, families, or local charities with limited resources.

Why Aid International Development matters

• Stretching every donation: By not running its own large projects, AID avoids duplicating infrastructures; instead, it supports local charities already doing good, giving them extra capacity and funding.
• Local knowledge and partnership: Because their Build Teams work with local organisations, the aid is more likely to meet real need, rather than what outsiders assume.
• Flexible and responsive: The “poor fund” means AID has some discretionary money to help where urgent or unexpected need arises, beyond what participants nominate.

If you want to make a difference, here’s how to help:

• Take part or create a fundraising event — sign up for one of their treks, marathons, or organise something local.
• Donate or nominate a charity when you join an event, so your effort supports causes you care about.
• Spread the word — helping more people to know about AID means more funds for deserving projects.

To find out more or get involved, visit aidinternational.org.uk or check out their Wonderful profile.

Long Covid isn’t just a lingering illness — for many, it’s a life turned upside down. Long Covid Support was founded and is run by people living with Long Covid and their carers. Their mission is to offer peer-led support, amplify lived experience, and drive meaningful change.

What they do

• Peer support & community connection: via online groups, webinars, and forums, people with Long Covid can connect, share insights, and support each other.
• Advocacy & policy change: as Secretariat to the APPG on Long Covid and involvement in UK health policy, they press for recognition, services, and rights.
• Research & lived experience leadership: they ensure those with Long Covid are partners in research — not just participants.
• Information & signposting: creating up-to-date resources to help people, carers, and professionals better understand and manage Long Covid.

Why support matters

Despite affecting hundreds of thousands, Long Covid is still poorly understood. Many people struggle to access specialist care, employment protections, or recognition in disability systems. Long Covid Support bridges the gap — but its work is only sustainable with backing.

If you’d like to help make a difference, you can donate, fundraise, raise awareness, or use your skills (e.g. communications, policy, research). Every contribution helps those whose lives are changed by this condition.

Visit longcovid.org or their Wonderful profile to get involved.