Every day, people choose to support Lancashire Wildlife Trust because they care deeply about the places, wildlife and communities that make our region special.

Some volunteer their time, others become members, make regular donations or leave gifts in their Will. Every act of generosity plays a part in helping wildlife recover and ensuring future generations can experience the joy of nature.

What many people don't realise is that there are also ways to make a charitable gift work even harder. In some cases, the value of your donation to Lancashire Wildlife Trust can increase. In others, you may be able to receive personal tax relief, depending on your individual circumstances.

Understanding these options doesn't mean making your giving more complicated. Often, it simply means making the most of opportunities that already exist.

Here are five ways your support could go even further for wildlife.

1. Add Gift Aid to your donation

Gift Aid remains one of the simplest and most effective ways to increase the value of a donation.

If you're a UK taxpayer and have paid enough Income Tax or Capital Gains Tax during the tax year, Lancashire Wildlife Trust can reclaim the basic rate tax already paid on your donation, increasing its value at no additional cost to you.

For example, a donation of £100 could become £125 through Gift Aid.

It's a small action that can have a meaningful impact, helping us care for more habitats, protect more species and inspire more people to value the natural world.

If you pay tax at the higher or additional rate, you may also be able to claim further personal tax relief through HM Revenue & Customs, depending on your individual circumstances.

Find out more about Gift Aiding your donations 

2. Consider Payroll Giving

Many people choose to support charities through regular monthly giving, and Payroll Giving offers another way to do this.

If your employer operates a Payroll Giving scheme, donations are taken directly from your salary before Income Tax is deducted. This means you receive tax relief immediately through your pay.

For many supporters, Payroll Giving provides a simple way to make regular gifts while knowing that tax relief has already been applied.

If your employer offers Payroll Giving, it may be worth exploring whether this could be the right option for you. 

Find out more about Payroll giving 

3. Think beyond cash donations

Charitable giving doesn't always have to be made in cash, some supporters choose to donate qualifying shares, securities or land to charity.

For eligible gifts, donors may be able to claim Income Tax relief on the value of the gift and may also benefit from relief from Capital Gains Tax that could otherwise arise on disposal of those assets.

Every donor's circumstances are different, so professional advice is always recommended before making this type of gift. However, for some people it can provide a highly effective way to support causes they care about while making the most of the tax reliefs available.

Find out more about tax relief on asset donations

4. Leave a gift in your Will

A gift in your Will is one of the most powerful ways to create a lasting legacy for nature. Many of the landscapes and habitats we care for today exist because previous generations chose to invest in a future they would never see.

By remembering Lancashire Wildlife Trust in your Will, you can help ensure that wildlife continues to flourish long into the future.

Charitable gifts made through a Will are generally exempt from Inheritance Tax. In some circumstances, leaving at least 10% of a net taxable estate to charity can also reduce the rate of Inheritance Tax payable on the remainder of the estate. Because the rules are complex, anyone considering this option should seek independent professional advice.

For many supporters, knowing that their values will continue to make a difference after their lifetime is every bit as important as the tax benefits.

Find out more about leaving a gift in your Will to LWT

5. Make a lasting impact through a major gift

Sometimes, supporters want to do more than make a one off donation. They want to help deliver something tangible for nature, from restoring a threatened habitat to giving a particular species a better chance of survival.

A major gift can help make this possible, by supporting a specific conservation project or priority, you could help fund work that might otherwise take longer to deliver, bringing forward opportunities to restore habitats, protect wildlife and create space for nature to recover.

You may also wish to explore giving through a charitable trust or foundation, or working with Lancashire Wildlife Trust to identify a project that reflects your interests and values. Depending on how your gift is structured, there may be tax considerations to discuss with your professional adviser.

There is no single amount that defines a meaningful gift. What matters is finding a way to support nature that works for you and makes a genuine contribution to our conservation work.

If you are interested in exploring a larger gift or supporting a particular project, we would welcome a conversation about the opportunities available and the difference your support could make. Read more below about a wildlife experience two very generous supporters embarked on... after dark!

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