UK charities are being urged to recognise the hard fought efforts of their fundraising teams and participate in the 2006 Direct Debit Charity Awards.

Organised by Bacs, the company behind Direct Debit, the 2006 Direct Debit Charity Awards reward charities proactively promoting and using Direct Debit to increase the number of regular, automated donations they receive each year.

This year, the Direct Debit Charity Award scheme has three categories for charities to enter. The first award is for achievement and will be presented to the charity that can demonstrate the largest year-on-year increase in Direct Debit take up. The second accolade is for innovation. Organisations will be judged on the most creative promotion of Direct Debit. The final category looks at best practice and will be awarded to the charity that shows the most significant improvements in customer satisfaction as a direct result of offering Direct Debit as an alternative payment method.

To support the launch of the inaugural Direct Debit Charity Awards in 2005, Bacs undertook dedicated research into the charity sector. Findings showed that 52% of all UK charitable donations were made using Direct Debit. Results also highlighted that charities were missing out on up to £400 million a year because gift aid was not being used to its full advantage and because almost a third of donors (32%) did not know what gift aid was.

Commenting Michael Chambers, Managing Director of Bacs said, “The UK charity industry is increasingly competitive. Fundraising organisations are competing for consumer loyalty on a number of different levels. Identifying new ways to increase the volume, frequency and value of donations is key, as is maximising donor retention. Bacs findings clearly show that more can be done to boost the nation’s financial investment in worthwhile causes and ensure gift aid is used to full effect.”

Continuing he said, “While Bacs findings show that more than half of people regularly donating to charity use Direct Debit, there is a clear opportunity to increase this figure and in tandem, raise consumer awareness of gift aid. Many charities are already taking this in hand, actively championing Direct Debit and gift aid together. Last year an encouraging number of charities took the opportunity to enter our awards programme and publicise the outcome of Direct Debit-related projects. We look forward to seeing the continued increase of Direct Debit usage in the charity sector and to championing best practice in conjunction with some the nation’s best loved charities.”

Successful charities that win a 2006 Direct Debit Charity Award will be presented with a trophy at the Third Sector Forum on 8 November 2006. The event takes place at the Oxford Belfry, Oxford. Each participating charity will also be entered into the Direct Debit Charity Awards prize draw giving them the chance to win a £1,000 donation to help boost the balance of their charitable organisation. The closing date for all entries is 31 August 2006. All forms must be received by this date to be eligible to enter.

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