Payroll Giving is a Finalist in the Smiley Charity Film Awards!

The Corporate Cause section in the Smiley Charity Film Awards is a chance for businesses to demonstrate how they’re giving back. It’s a hugely important and impactful category, allowing us to celebrate their partnerships with charities and causes that benefit our world.

Ahead of the Smiley Charity Film Awards, we caught up with Caroline Gaskin from Together For Animals, one of the charities supported by Payroll Giving. Payroll Giving enables UK employees to donate to charity from their pre-tax earnings, meaning the charity gets a full donation, while costing the donor less overall. The donations are easy and automatic, making this kind of giving simple and effortless.

Why Did You Choose to Get Involved With This Cause?

Payroll Giving is important. It is one of the last underutilised forms of supporting charities of all sizes across the UK. Encouraging regular donations is vital for the future of charities. Charities big and small depend on the regular income that payroll giving provides as it allows them to plan their work including research, building projects, and giving practical help to those vulnerable and in need.  

Highlighting payroll giving with a whole month where charities and stakeholders work together to raise awareness of the benefits is crucial to us increasing the number of employees who can and do support good causes this way. And in doing so we can raise more income for causes across sectors, and help them carry out their vital work. 

Why is It So Important for Businesses to Get Involved in Charity Work and Giving Back? 

I believe it’s essential for companies to contribute to making the world a better place and be involved in positive change in society. 

Employees are looking for more when it comes to the companies they work for. They want where they work to be aligned with their personal values and ethics. 

How Can Businesses Best Support the Causes They Are Involved With?

For employers, Payroll Giving can show their commitment to CSR, improving their reputation. It can also boost employee morale and engagement, showing that the company supports causes [which are] important to its workforce. 

Through Payroll Giving, they will help support charities chosen by the employees - which shows they care about the causes close to their employees' hearts and values. 

Payroll giving has many benefits to businesses, including: 

• Quick, simple and easy to set up, at no cost*.

• Enhancing their Corporate Social Responsibility profile.

• Boosts reputation and public image.

• Demonstrates commitment to causes your employees care about.

• Aids staff recruitment and retention, and improves morale.

• Businesses can gain recognition through quality marks and excellence awards.

Charity Check-in 

At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.

The Fore. This charity is transforming lives and society by turbo-charging exceptional small charities and social enterprises. Support them here.

The Brother’s Trust. This charity is run by Tom Holland’s family, aiming to shine a light on charities where generous donations can be used to maximum effect. Find out more.

The Henry Smith Charity. This is a grant giving charity that aims to use its resources to help people and communities in the UK. Learn more here.

This article aligns with the UN SDG Partnership for the Goals