Giving FAQs :: Oxfam GB

No – Oxfam does not send clothes and blankets overseas, however good their condition. Where possible, we are of course delighted to receive donations of these items in our shops to sell to raise funds. Customs regulations, fumigation of second-hand items, transport and communications make the process of exporting second hand items very complicated, time consuming and expensive. Money goes much further, and supports many more people, if it is actually use to purchase food and clothing locally.

One of the best ways to support Oxfam's emergency work is to give money. A donation of any kind can make a very real difference to the lives of people effected by famine, war and natural disasters. For example, just £1.00 could pay for 25 packets of oral rehydration salts to treat diarrhoea. Please email us:giving@oxfam.org.uk, or visit your local shop to make a donation or for more information.

Can I sponsor a child through Oxfam?

Through Oxfam, you can sponsor a whole village! Oxfam’s LIFE project offers our supporters a unique opportunity to follow the progress of the Malambo community in Tanzania. We work with the community to improve conditions for everyone in the village of Malambo - children, parents, young adults and elders alike.

By donating £15 a month you’ll be supporting everyone in the community as they work to overcome their hardships. As a supporter of LIFE you’ll receive a LIFE pack, which gives a unique insight into the village. And we’ll send you regular updates so that you can follow their progress.

Our hope is that you will stay with Malambo long enough to see the people transform their lives. It is our plan that, with your help, the people of Malambo will be able to support themselves in 7-10 years. Click here to find out more about Oxfam's LIFE projects.

Alternatively, you might like to sign up to a regular gift towards Oxfam’s general funds, where your gift will be used wherever the need is greatest. Donations like this help us to help whole communities work themselves out of poverty and help us to respond quickly and effectively to emergency situations.
Click here to find out how your gift could make a difference.

I would like to donate money to a specific project. Is this possible?

That’s great – please check out our Oxfam Unwrapped site www.oxfamunwrapped.com where you can direct your gift towards specific items. If you would like to direct your gift even more closely we do keep aside a short list of projects for people to donate to on a one-off basis. For further details please email us:giving@oxfam.org.uk.

Would you like to make a regular gift to Oxfam?

Regular gifts are a marvellous contribution to our work. They give us vital long-term funds that allow us to plan our work, and they represent a strong commitment to our partners overseas. By giving us your support we will be able to use your money in so many ways to help poor people work themselves out of poverty, and give them the chance to live dignified and independent lives. Please set up a regular gift today.

How can I raise money for Oxfam?

You can take part in one of Oxfam's fundraising events or organise your own event. To give you some ideas on what you can do and to help make any event easy, safe and successful, please check out our fundraising section.

I already give to Oxfam and I've moved house

Please let us know your full name, your old and new address details and your supporter reference number if known. We will then update our records. Click here to contact us.

I already give to Oxfam and I've changed banks

I already give to Oxfam and I want to change the amount of my donation

I already give to Oxfam and I would like to cancel my donation

Thank you for supporting Oxfam. If you would like to discuss your reasons for cancelling your donation please call us on 0300 200 1300. Even if you can't maintain your current level of giving, a small amount would still be very much appreciated.

Please note we are unable to cancel Standing Order donations as your bank will only take instruction from you so please contact them to action this but also let us know so we can amend our records.

I already give to Oxfam and I would like to make my donation tax-effective through Gift Aid

Please let us know if you want to sign up to Gift Aid, or if your tax status changes, by filling in our gifts enquiry form.

I already give to Oxfam and I would like to donate from outside of the UK

That’s great – go to our donation page and you can make a secure online credit card donation to Oxfam from anywhere in the world.

Unfortunately we are not able to accept regular donations from overseas due to the administration costs involved.

But you might want to visit the Oxfam International website and see if there is Oxfam in the country where you are based.

Can you reclaim gift aid on goods donated to Oxfam shops?

Yes we can. Our great new Tag your Bag scheme means that every time we sell something belonging to you, we can raise 28% more from the government through Gift Aid - at no cost to you.

Find out more about Oxfam's Tag your bag scheme