Buying From Charities and Social Enterprises

LIFESTYLE · GLOBAL

Buying From Charities and Social Enterprises

How the money works, checking a charity, remembrance items and alternatives to buying

Buying something that supports a cause is a good instinct, and a few checks make the difference between a meaningful contribution and a token one.

How the money actually works

On a charity's own products, the surplus after costs goes to the charity. On commercial products carrying a charity name, a licensing arrangement usually returns a stated percentage or a fixed amount per item.

That percentage can be small. A clear statement — a named amount per item or a percentage of the sale price — is checkable; general language about supporting is not.

Checking a charity

The UK's official charity registers list registered organisations and their accounts, showing income and expenditure. The registration number should appear on legitimate charity materials.

Social enterprises are businesses with a social purpose rather than charities, which is legitimate and different. Ask what the purpose is and how it is measured.

Remembrance and veteran causes

Several established organisations support veterans in different ways — welfare, housing, mental health, employment. Look at what an organisation actually does rather than the imagery it uses.

Be cautious of unofficial merchandise using military imagery without a stated connection, which is a recurring problem around remembrance periods.

Gift Aid

On donations, Gift Aid adds a quarter at no cost to you if you pay UK tax. It does not apply to buying goods, which is one reason a direct donation frequently gives a charity more than a purchase does.

Charity shops

Donating good quality items converts directly into income, and Gift Aid on donated goods adds a quarter to what they raise if you sign up. Do not leave donations outside a closed shop, where they are ruined or removed.

Items must be clean, complete and safe, and electricals and upholstered furniture need labels and testing.

Giving effectively

A regular direct debit is worth more to a charity than occasional larger gifts, because it allows them to plan and costs less to administer. Unrestricted donations are more useful than restricted ones.

Payroll giving, if your employer offers it, comes out before tax and costs you less for the same donation.

Avoiding scams

Check a registration number on the official register before donating to anyone who approaches you, and never give card details over the phone to an unexpected caller.

Other ways to help

Regular small donations are worth more to a charity than occasional large ones, because they allow planning. Volunteering, and donating goods to charity shops, both convert into real income.

Ask a charity what they actually need rather than assuming.

WHERE TO BUY

Ready to shop Royal British Veterans Enterprise? Use the link below to visit the official store.

→ Shop Royal British Veterans Enterprise — official site

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