Gift Aid

Ealing Hockey Club relies on the generosity of its members, supporters, and the wider community. We publish this policy to assure you that we handle all donations with transparency and care, in line with all legal and ethical requirements.

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1. Our Legal Status

Ealing Hockey Club is a registered Community Amateur Sports Club (CASC). We have a constitution and are registered with HMRC (His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs).

This legal status provides benefits, such as allowing us to claim Gift Aid on eligible donations, but also places specific duties and obligations on us, which are reflected in this policy.

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2. How We Use Donations

All donations must be used to further the Club’s purposes, in line with CASC regulations. This includes:

• Maintaining and improving facilities (e.g., pitches, the clubhouse, and equipment).
• Funding coaching and development programs for all ages and abilities.
• Supporting our junior and youth sections.
• Purchasing and maintaining essential playing and training equipment.
• Providing hardship funds or subsidising membership fees to ensure accessibility.
• Covering operational costs directly related to providing amateur sport.

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3. Who Can Donate

We welcome donations from individuals, groups, or legally constituted entities.

We reserve the right to decline any donation if we believe it could cause reputational harm to the Club or if it conflicts with our values or objectives. This includes donations that may contravene laws such as Anti-Money Laundering (AML) legislation. Any decision to refuse a donation will be made by our Directors, and we are not obligated to provide a reason for the refusal.

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4. Gift Aid

As an HMRC-approved CASC, we can reclaim Gift Aid on eligible personal donations. This means for every £1 donated by a UK taxpayer, we can reclaim an additional 25p from HMRC, increasing the value of your donation at no extra cost to you.

To be eligible for Gift Aid, you must:

• Be a UK taxpayer who has paid an amount of Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax that is at least equal to the amount of Gift Aid the Club will reclaim on your donations in that tax year (currently 25p for every £1 donated).
• Complete a valid Gift Aid declaration form, confirming your taxpayer status and agreement for the Club to claim Gift Aid.

We will provide you with the necessary guidance and forms. It is your responsibility to ensure you have paid sufficient tax to cover the Gift Aid we claim.

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5. How to Donate

You can donate in the following ways:

• Electronic bank transfer to our bank account.
• Cheque payable to "Ealing Hockey Ltd."
• Approved online fundraising platforms.
• Cash, which can be accepted by an authorised Club official.

An acknowledgement or receipt can be provided upon request.

Whenever possible, we encourage you to use a donation method that allows us to reclaim Gift Aid.

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6. Unrestricted and Restricted Donations

All donations are treated as unrestricted unless otherwise specified. This allows us to allocate funds to the areas of greatest need.

If you wish to dedicate your donation to a specific project or purpose (e.g., junior development, pitch maintenance), this is considered a restricted donation. You must agree to any restriction with the Treasurer or a Club official in writing before making the donation.

Please note:

• We may decline restricted donations if the purpose does not align with our CASC objectives or if we are unable to fulfil the specific request.
• If a restricted project becomes unfeasible or is completed with surplus funds, we will endeavour to contact you to agree on an alternative use. If we cannot reach an agreement, the funds will be used for the general purposes of the Club.

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7. Our Commitment to Transparency

We are committed to full transparency and accountability. All donations are accurately recorded in our financial records, which are reviewed annually by the members.

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8. Donor Recognition

We may recognise donors in appropriate ways, such as within Club newsletters, on our website, or in an annual list of supporters, with your consent. The Club does not typically offer naming rights or specific benefits that could compromise its CASC status.

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9. Donation Refunds

Donations are generally non-refundable. However, in exceptional circumstances, such as an error in the donation amount or a duplicate payment, we may consider a refund. All refund requests must be made in writing within 14 days of the donation.

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10. Data Protection

We handle all donor personal data in accordance with our Privacy Policy and relevant data protection legislation, such as GDPR. This information is used solely to process donations, claim Gift Aid, and communicate with you where consent has been given.

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11. Policy Review

This policy is reviewed every two years and updated as needed.

If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact our Club Secretary or Treasurer.

Registered Office: 6th Floor, 2 London Wall Place, London, England, EC2Y 5AU. Company number: 11497280.