Philanthropic businessman launches charity fundraising platform

A PHILANTHROPIC Manchester businessman has launched a new fund-raising platform which gives 100% of donations directly to supported charities.

The Wonderful Organisation, founded by Kieron James, will give fundraisers an alternative to platforms that charge charities, make deductions to cover costs, generate profit or take a cut from the Gift Aid scheme, which enables charities to reclaim tax on donations made by UK taxpayers.

Research into the amount raised for charities by the Great Manchester Run found an extra £1.5m could have gone to local and national good causes, if people had used Wonderful rather than the alternative giving platforms.

This new platform, which uses the strapline ‘Don’t Just Give… Be Wonderful’, will be free from these card processing charges as Nexbridge, the telecoms company which James co-founded, will cover the cost.

The pledge from Nexbridge will allow the first million pounds of charity donations to be processed and paid in full to the charities. After that transaction fees and all other costs will continue to be met by corporate sponsors.

James said: “I don’t believe this has ever been done before and it means that all the wonderful people running, swimming, cycling, baking cakes or shaving their heads for charity can be sure that every single penny they raise goes to the causes they care about.”

James, who is also co-founder of the free telephone conferencing service WHYPAY?, has launched the platform at Wonderful.org.

Each month, the website transfers all funds raised through the activities of fundraisers to charities’ bank accounts, making no deductions whatsoever.

James added: “We recognise the selfless commitment made by fundraisers who train for months to run marathons, take part in swims, treks and triathlons, face their fears by jumping out of aeroplanes or don their lycra for a zumbathon.

“We believe the charities they support should receive every penny from their fundraising efforts. We also believe that Gift Aid – an income tax relief designed to benefit charities – should be directed in full to the charities rather than the operators of fundraising platforms.

“This is why the Wonderful Organisation will not generate profit, or even cover costs, by deducting money from fundraisers’ sponsors or Gift Aid contributions. We are a non-profit organisation run by volunteers and funded entirely by like-minded, philanthropic businesses.”