Parish Giving Scheme
Why join the Parish Giving Scheme (PGS)?
Traditionally, most churches have operated schemes to support regular giving based on numbered envelopes (for giving by cash or cheque), or by donors setting up standing orders. In both cases, for donors wishing to Gift-Aid their donations, a paper declaration was required which then has to be physically stored, and manually actioned by the Treasurer/Gift Aid Officer.
Then, in 2013, the Parish Giving Scheme (PGS) was introduced, which offered all the benefits of standing orders and Gift-Aid but with the additional benefits of:
- Gift-Aid transactions without completing a paper form
- On the anniversary of a giver joining, they have the voluntary option to increase their giving by the rate of inflation (CPI)- though this is only if they choose and not automatically assumed
How churches can join the PGS
If your church hasn’t signed up and would like to, you will need to send our Mission Resources Team the following documents:
- Completed registration form
- Bank paying in slip for the church account
- PCC resolution approving the church joining
You can contact the mission resources team via email: mission.resources@exeter.anglican.org or by posting copies of the documents to: Mission Resources Team, The Old Deanery, The Cloisters, Exeter, EX1 1HS. When the registration is complete, you will receive an email from us.
Guidance document
Please read the guidance document below before registering to ensure that we receive all of the information we need.
PGS Guidance for new parish registrations
Registration forms
PGS Single Church Registration Form
PGS Multiple Churches Registration Form
Guidance notes for electronically signing PGS forms
If you are unable to gather physical or electronic signatures we recommend the PCC Treasurer signs the form and when returning it to us, indicates that the other two signatories will indicate their approval by emailing the Mission Resources Team directly.
Information for givers
Once the Treasurer has received confirmation that the PGS account is live, givers in their church can register. Here is information on how they can register:
Online: Resources Step-by-Step for New Online Givers 2024
On the telephone: How to set up your gift online and on the telephone
October 2025 Update- New template for New Giver Forms
Here is a for parishes who are already registered to use for individuals in their churches to sign up as new givers. This is the new standard template as of October 2025. If you would like the Mission Resources Team to print out copies for you, please contact them with your church name and location (e.g. St XXX, Exeter), how many forms you would like and where they should post them to.
Resources to help promote PGS in your church(es)
PGS are no longer providing printed promotional resources themselves, but we have created a range of materials about the scheme that you can customise for your church: PGS Resources for your church can be found on this webpage.
This leaflet template is designed for parishes to share with their givers, encouraging sign-up to the Parish Giving Scheme (PGS). It includes space to customise such as by adding your church’s name and also answers common questions like “How does PGS help our church?”
A helpful document introducing the Parish Giving Scheme to the parishes and churches within the Diocese of Exeter explaining the benefits of PGS which churches have found very useful is available here. This provides information to church staff teams who are exploring the possibility of joining the PGS if they haven’t already.
Each registered parish will have a unique QR code available by searching for your parish here.
Thank you sign to print for your church available here.
Additional PGS resources for your church
Information to share with your church colleagues after the PCC have chosen to register can be found here:
FAQ’s for church colleagues following registrations with PGS
If your church is already registered and you would like to change your Statement Receiver or inform PGS of updated parish bank details, please look here.
Briefing Note: Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme (GASDS) and the Parish Giving Scheme (PGS)
Visit also Parish Giving Scheme website.
PGS Myth Busters
Please click on the image below to see our PGS myth busters document as featured as a weekly series in Roots & Shoots Newsletter in Spring/ Summer 2025.
