Opportunity for UK Charities to Identify Missing Gift Aid Funding

The Great Gift Aid Hunt 2026 will support UK charities to find back-dated Gift Aid claims

Charities across the UK that are registered for Gift Aid can now apply to take part in The Great Gift Aid Hunt 2026.

The Great Gift Aid Hunt, led by Swiftaid and supported by The Chartered Institute of Fundraising and JustGiving, is an annual campaign that enables charities to review their donation data and check whether they are eligible for a back-dated Gift Aid claim.

As the Charity Sector faces mounting pressure due to increased service demand and rising operational costs, it is increasingly important for groups to maximise the value of their fundraising.

The latest HMRC data shows that while charities received approximately £1.7 billion in Gift Aid in the last tax year, around £564 million remains unclaimed annually. This is often caused by incomplete donor declarations, data gaps due to evolving donation methods, or incorrectly matched supporter information.

Swiftaid’s Gift Aid Finder tool can match a group’s donation data to millions of eligible donors on its platform to check for additional Gift Aid. If a match is found, the donor will be notified and given the option to opt out before a Gift Aid declaration is created on their behalf. These claims are then submitted to HMRC, with any recovered funds paid directly to the group.

Identifying unclaimed Gift Aid can help charities to unlock thousands of pounds quickly and easily, helping to bridge critical funding gaps and improving their financial resilience.

Last year, 61 charities were able to unlock £1.5 million in unclaimed Gift Aid by taking part in the Hunt, with 98% of participating charities finding additional income. Fees apply only if a group chooses to claim what’s uncovered.