Tim Manley, Evangelical Alliance of Great Britain's Database Manager phoned following our article about Gift Aid last year and referred us to the website of the Institute of Fundraising. "The rules are slightly different to Trusts and Charity companies of which Evangelical Alliance is one" he warned. "In the company case they are able to claim gift aid almost seven years back but trusts are just six. It all depends when the charities' books close." It sounds confusing but he suggested that each organisation also phones the Inland Revenue with their charity number and they will advise the status.
See http://www.institute-of-fundraising.org.uk/ or visit the Inland Revenue's website at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/home.htm. Their Charities Helpline is 0845 302 0203.
