How share donations can help RNIB

Your shares will support our work and they are one of the most tax-effective ways to give money. RNIB and ShareGift have worked together for more than 20 years to ensure that any donation – big or small – has an impact.

It means that very small share donations are helpful as, while these shares might seem almost worthless, ShareGift aggregates small shareholdings which would cost more to sell than they are worth and creates substantial savings by helping lower administration costs.

There are also three key benefits to the donor:

• you won't have to pay capital gains tax on the shares you donate; you can claim income tax relief too
• if you are a higher rate (40 per cent) taxpayer you will be able to claim income tax relief equal to 40 per cent of the value of the gift
• if you are the highest rate (45 per cent) taxpayer you will be able to claim income tax relief equal to 45 per cent of the value of the gift.

To qualify for the tax relief, the shares or securities must be:

• listed, or traded, on a recognised UK or foreign stock exchange
• units in authorised unit trusts
• shares in a UK open-ended investment company
• holdings in certain foreign collective investment schemes.

Donating shares worth more than £500

ShareGift can help make donating your shares as easy and secure as possible. To start your giving journey, please contact [email protected].

Donating shares worth less than £500

If you would like to make a donation under £500, you can donate shares directly to ShareGift mentioning RNIB. ShareGift will accept nil value shares as long as they are transferrable. You can find further information and contact details via www.sharegift.org/donate-shares

How ShareGift helps RNIB

ShareGift, which specialises in releasing value from small shareholdings, was formed in 1996. It aggregates small shareholdings which would cost more to sell than they are worth. Millions of pounds are tied up in these tiny lots of shares, which are of no value to their owners because they cost more to sell than they are worth. Individually these are worth little or nothing but have a meaningful value when collected together.

ShareGift also generates money for good causes from small cash amounts created by other sources, including dormant assets.

Without ShareGift’s work, neither this substantial source of charitable funds nor the associated corporate savings would exist.

ShareGift registers donated shares into its own name and collects them until there are enough to sell. Shares are sold on a regular basis and the proceeds are used to make donations to a wide range of other UK-registered charities.

Since 1996, ShareGift has generated more than £37 million for 3,100 UK registered charities, ranging from major household names to tiny local initiatives, covering a vast area of national and international work.

Find out more

If you would like any further information on giving through shares, please contact [email protected].

If you are unsure of your tax situation and would like more information, please contact the HM Revenue and Customs helpline on 0845 900 0444 or visit the HMRC website.