Donating to charity is a great way of helping people in need. Giving a little something extra to charities is not only helpful to them but helps give you a boost too. If you run a company and want to donate to charity, but you’re not sure how, Seashell is here to help. Continue reading to find out how to donate to a charity as a business.
Finding out how to donate to charity
There are a number of different steps you must take before donating to charity. After choosing a charity, you must decide on how much you would like to donate and the frequency of your donations. Will you make it a monthly occurrence, or will you donate once a year? Is it just the one charity you’re interested in helping or are there several? These are the questions and considerations you must think about.
Here are the different steps you must consider when looking to donate to charity:
- Choose a charity
- Determine the amount to donate
- Review business structure
- Consult with an accountant
- Make the donation
- Keep records
- Communicate your donation
- Claim tax relief
Choose a charity
The first step to working out how to donate to charity as a business is figuring out who to donate to. At Seashell, we welcome donations from all businesses and individuals. You can make a difference today by donating upwards of £10.
Determine the amount to donate
After choosing the charity to donate to, think about how much you’d like to donate and how often you want to do it. How much can you afford as a business?
Review business structure
The way you donate as a business can depend on your legal structure, whether you’re a sole trader, partnership, limited company, or other legal form. It’s essential to know the specific rules and guidelines for your type of business.
Consult with an accountant
Donating to charity as a business may not be as straightforward as putting your card details into a charity’s website. As a company, it’s important to consult with your accountant to understand the tax implications of your donation. Donations to registered charities can often be tax-deductible so it’s important to speak to an expert on the subject.
Make the donation
There are a couple of different ways to make donations as a business: cash and in-kind.
A cash donation is a direct cash donation to the charity. Ensure you obtain a receipt or acknowledgement from the charity for your company’s financial records. In-kind donations are if you want to donate goods or services. For this, you must specify the value of the donation and ensure the charity can use it effectively. Keep records of the donation and its value.
Keep records
Any financial moves as a company must be recorded for tax purposes. They may be requested by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). It’s also good practice to keep a record of your finances as a company so you know where all expenses are going.
Communicate your donations
It’s also a good idea to communicate with the wider company that you’re donating to good causes. It can raise morale within the company and show employees that the leadership within the company are keen to support worthy causes and people in need.
Claim tax relief
As a company, did you know that you can claim tax relief for any donations you make to charity? If your business is eligible for tax relief on charitable donations, you can claim this when you file your annual tax return. Consult your accountant for guidance on the process.
Donate to Seashell
If you run a business and you’re strongly considering charity event fundraising or donating to an autism charity, consider Seashell Trust. By making a donation to Seashell, you are helping to change the lives of the children and young people in our care.
As a well-established learning disability and autism charity, we offer a well rounded approach to learning and supporting people with learning disabilities. If you’re interested in volunteering with disabled children or donating, check out our events calendar.
For anything else, don’t hesitate to contact us.
