At this time last year I was able to report on the regular giving by church members. With summary financial returns for 2009 now arriving from parish treasurers it is possible to give an update. Giving through Gift Aid continues to improve and there is a good amount of other planned giving, both signs that church members see the benefit of committed giving. In confirmation of this, returns for the last two years suggest a renewed movement away from the normal collection plate into planned giving.
With nearly half of the forms now in, and comparing these with forms from the same parishes for 2008, we estimate that regular giving through Gift Aid has increased by nearly 3% and now totals about £9,400,000. The tax-recovered adds another £2,900,000 to this, and exceeds collections which total £2,100,000. Other planned giving (non-gift aided) is difficult to estimate. Since 2007 treasurers have often included it in the gift aid total whilst prior to 2007 it was lumped in with donations; nonetheless it is estimated to be £900,000 (although not shown in the graph).
Gift Aid income is a hugely significant component of PCC income and has improved much since 2000. The number of members now using Gift Aid is over 18,000. The graph illustrates the changes since 2000 in three crucial components of regular PCC income. Whilst collections show signs of a small decline over the period, giving through Gift Aid, along with the tax recovered, has increased by 57%. Whilst, in 2000, collections made up 23% of the total amounts shown, this is now only 15% as members have switched to planned giving, mostly using Gift Aid.
Please remember that the Parish Finance Office (01245 294430) is able to advise on the finer points of Gift Aid, including the computer systems available to help with its administration.
Canon Don Cardy
1st June 2010