Local Branches
Local Area Branches raise and use funds to maintain and run local activities with any excess income providing a small source of income for the central professional services of the association. Each branch is encouraged to be self funding and will engage in local fundraising to cover the costs of activities, outings and clubs
After local branch expenditure for activities, outings, events and volunteer driver expenses branches contribute around 5% to the associations' central annual budget with the remainder being made up from interest payments, centrally organised fundraising events, grants and legacies.
The 22 branches around the county are all run by voluntary teams and have an established committee to organise and run the day to day affairs of the branch.
Under the rules of governance established by the charity each branch has its own Treasurer and can, and do, raise funds locally.
Local fundraising takes many forms, including gifts days, street collections and events, and these resources are used to provide venues, activities and support in the form of transport to visually impaired members.
The Parent Charity, HACB, has benefited from past legacies and gifts, which have enabled services to be offered across the county and to reduce the burden upon local branches.
Investment income provides around 25% of the annual budget with the remainder coming from other funding sources, including legacies, contracts for services and grants from trusts and other funding bodies.
The charity has a small but efficient administration team which provides the infrastructure and branch support services plus the Resource Centre, Outreach Team and other professional practical services to visually impaired people using HACB's advice and support services.
An ongoing fundraising strategy is a cornerstone of the planning of the Board and Chief Executive and efforts to develop major fundraising events and corporate partnerships are an essential feature of their activity. The aim is to increase regular giving, using Gift Aid to increase the value of individual donations, organise and run major fundraising events and continue to attract legacy donations to maintain a high level of central funding to ensure that the burden upon local branches and groups is kept to a low level and continue to offer free access to services for the increasing number of visually impaired people across the county.
However, with increasing numbers of people likely to require HACB support in the next thirty years (Government figures for the county show an increase of 30%in that period) the need to develop a donor base to meet these new demands is growing.
HACB plans to establish a donor base of some 4,000 people over the next few years to regularly support and maintain our services to visually impaired people in Hampshire and will be increasingly organising major fundraising events to achieve the levels of income required.
There are a number of ways that individuals can help:
Legacies:
A great number of people make a lasting commitment to the association for future generations through the gift of a legacy.
This is a simple but valuable gift that requires only a minor amendment to a Will. Advice on how to do this can be obtained from the Finance Manager on 02380 641244 or by emailing accounts@hacb.org.uk asking for information.
Regular Giving: Many people now recognise the value of giving a regular amount to the charities of their choice and by adding Gift Aid can increase this by 28 pence for every one pound given. The benefits for the association are stable financial planning and the ongoing security of services provided. A regular gift of £10 per month is therefore worth £153.60 each year.
A direct debit or standing order can easily be set up to give regularly. Again, advice can be obtained from the Finance Manager on 02380 641244 or accounts@hacb.org.uk .
Single or One Off Gifts: You can make a gift at any time.
Simply send cheques or cash donations to (made out to) HACB. Unfortunately we are unable to accept Credit or Debit Card Payments at present.
Donations
Individuals, groups or companies can make donations at any time towards the costs of providing our services now and for future generations of sight impaired people in Hampshire.
Gift Aid: The Treasury allows registered charities to recover tax paid by donors through the Gift Aid Scheme. This simple system, for which donors have only to complete a simple form, enables us to claim back the tax donors have already paid. At present this amounts to 28 pence for each £1 given to HACB. So each donation of £10.00 is actually worth £12.80.
Gift Aid forms are available on request from HACB Accounts 02380 641244 or by using this link http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/charities/appendix_b1.htm which takes you directly to the Inland Revenue and Customs website where you can download and print the Gift Aid form.
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Funding
