What is the Giving Sir Gâr Pay Roll Giving Scheme?

Giving Sir Gâr is the name of the new Payroll Giving scheme being promoted to employers in Carmarthenshire. Payroll Giving is an easy and tax-efficient way for employees to give to local or other charities they wish to support. Donations are deducted straight from an employee's gross salary, giving immediate tax relief. Payroll Giving is simple for employers to set-up and run, and is an excellent way to show support for employees' charitable giving. The scheme currently raises as much as £91 million for charities each year in the UK.

It is very easy for an employee to donate; they simply fill in one of our donation forms, give it to their payroll department or if they wish their donation to remain anonymous they can send it straight to us. We then pass it on to our approved receiving agency, and they do the rest. Alternatively, we shall shortly have the facility for donors to donate online.

Changes can be made any time using the same sign-up form. There is no need to worry about completing Direct Debits or Standing Orders, employees just complete one simple authorization form.

How do you set up Payroll Giving?

Just get in touch with Giving Sir Gâr and we will supply a very simple Signing up Pack and will also discuss the most effective way in which to promote the scheme to your employees. We have a large range of resources and incentives available to employees to become donors.

How much does it cost to set up?

Giving Sir Gâr has been awarded funding by the Welsh Assembly Government and Carmarthenshire County Council to staff and administer the pilot programme.

In addition the WCVA is underwriting the costs of receiving and distributing charitable donations made under the Giving Sir Gâr payroll giving scheme until at least March 2009, offering employees a unique opportunity to maximize the tax efficient donations, at no cost to the Company and ensuring every penny reaches the beneficiaries. 

Who Will Receive the Donations?

Over the past few months we have been working with Charities and Voluntary groups in Carmarthenshire to establish Giving Sir Gâr. A steering group has been established with representatives from a diverse range of both local and national charities and voluntary organizations. Its purpose is to be an independent body which can observe the initiative.

Due to the large number of groups in Carmarthenshire it is not possible to have a representative from every organization on this board but every charity and voluntary organization will have equal access to this fund, provided they can prove that any funds received will be spent for the benefit of clients in Carmarthenshire. We hope this "keeping it local" strategy will appeal to donors reassuring them that only local causes will benefit. We do however acknowledge that some donors would like to exercise choice when donating and there is space on the donor form to allow them to choose any charity, local, or national of their choice. The donation will be processed in exactly the same way and the money sent on to their chosen charity by our receiving agency.

Payroll Giving Quality Mark

Launched in January 2006, the Payroll Giving Quality Mark recognizes and rewards organizations for making Payroll Giving available to their staff.

Comprising a certificate and logo, as well as Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards, the annual Quality Mark aims to provide UK charities with sustainable income streams by increasing participation in Payroll Giving.

Once you set up a Payroll Giving Scheme, you will automatically receive a certificate as well as a logo for use on your letterheads, websites and other company literature. These acknowledge that you have implemented Payroll Giving and demonstrate (both within your organization and publicly) that you are committed to the good causes to which your employees are donating.