For forward-thinking businesses
Social value evidence your tenders need
Generate evidence your procurement bids need. Track charitable donations, export CSV reports, and support your social value submissions with evidence of local giving.
Surplus/clearout stock
Stop paying HMRC 20% to be generous. Donate it instead and keep the VAT you already claimed.
New goods purchases
1.6x multiplier: £1 net cost delivers £1.60 of impact. VAT reclaim + corp tax relief = unbeatable efficiency.
The financial advantage
Qualifying gifts of business goods can avoid a VAT charge on donation. Purchase VAT recovery and corporation tax follow separate rules:
Surplus stock
Clearouts, old equipment, excess inventory
Give useful surplus a second life
Plus: avoid skip hire and disposal costs
New purchases
Buying specifically to donate
Purchase VAT recovery follows the usual business rules
Corporation tax treatment depends on the deductible cost and applicable rate
Illustrative ratio: £1 of after-tax cost supports £1.60 of goods on the assumptions below
Example: £125 after tax → £200 of goods
Evidence the donation; apply the tender’s valuation rules
The 1.6x Multiplier: How It Works
Example: a £200 purchase including 20% VAT, full VAT recovery, a deductible expense at 25% corporation tax and a qualifying donation:
Result in this example: £200 of goods at £125 after tax, Tender value depends on the buyer’s framework. That's the 1.6x multiplier in action.
Record what you bought, what reached the recipient and how it helped. The purchase price, tax saving and social value assessment are different measures.
This ratio is illustrative. It is not a guaranteed tax saving or an approved social value multiplier.
Why Goods Beat Cash for Social Value
CommuniTie delivers 60% more reportable social value per pound spent than cash donations
Audit-ready giving
We handle the 'Boring Admin' for you
Keep the facts together: supplier invoices, amounts recorded, recipient details and delivery confirmations. Your accountant can use them to assess the appropriate treatment.
Donation records
Download donation records that distinguish commitments from confirmed deliveries. Keep the original supplier invoice for accounting purposes.
Delivery confirmation
Recipients confirm receipt separately from their thank-you. Their stories and photos can add valuable context to the support you provided.
One-click export
Export CSV and PDF donation records to share with your accountant, alongside supplier invoices and any supporting documents.
Maximize your impact under the 2026 rules
April 2026 VAT Relief Caps
| Item Category | VAT Relief Cap | Why Give This? |
|---|---|---|
| Essential Tech | £200 per item | Laptops, Tablets, Monitors |
| School Infrastructure | £200 per item | Desks, Chairs, Storage, White Goods |
| Standard Goods | £100 per item | Stationery, Books, Sports Equipment |
| Donated Equipment | NO CAP | Any value item intended for fundraising resale |
Who qualifies for VAT relief?
Qualifying recipients
VAT relief applies when donating to:
- •Academies (Exempt Charities)
- •Free Schools
- •Voluntary Aided/Controlled Schools
- •Registered PTAs (most are registered charities)
- •Registered Charities
Non-qualifying recipients
VAT relief does NOT apply to:
- •Community Schools (Local Authority controlled)
- •Non-charitable Private Schools
The key distinction is whether the recipient has charitable status.
Most schools on CommuniTie are academies, free schools, or have registered PTAs - all of which qualify for VAT relief.
The problem with manual CSR tracking
Scattered records
Donations tracked in emails, spreadsheets, and receipts across multiple departments.
Time-consuming reports
Hours spent gathering data for S106 submissions and ESG disclosures.
No public thank yous
Good deeds go unnoticed because there's no centralised way to showcase impact.
The CommuniTie solution
Centralised dashboard
All donations automatically tracked in one place.
One-click reports
Generate compliance-ready reports instantly.
Public supporter board
Receive recognition for your community contributions.
VAT relief for qualifying gifts
Qualifying surplus donations can avoid a VAT charge on the gift. Keep the records for your accountant.
Built for modern ESG requirements
Evidencing community contributions or measuring CSR impact? CommuniTie has you covered.
Automated Impact Tracking
Every donation is automatically logged with value, recipient, and date. No spreadsheets, no manual data entry.
Instant Reporting
Evidence your community contributions alongside S106, ESG and CSR reporting.
Public Gratitude
Appear on our community supporter board. Get social media shoutouts from schools and charities you support.
Measurable ESG Goals
Track progress against your environmental, social, and governance targets with real data.
Tender-ready Social Value evidence
Turn everyday giving into clear contribution records for review against your buyer’s requirements
Social Value in public Procurement
UK public sector tenders evaluate social value alongside price and quality. Common measures include donations to charities, community contributions, and support for VCSEs (voluntary, community and social enterprises).
Under the Social Value Act 2012, public bodies must consider social value when awarding contracts. CommuniTie helps you document it.
Equipment & resource donations
Procurement frameworks commonly measure "Donations or in-kind contributions to local community projects" - exactly what CommuniTie tracks.
Record what was given, the recipient, amounts and delivery status, giving you a practical starting point for your evidence.
Social value in your tender
PPN 002 applies to in-scope central-government procurements and sets a minimum 10% scoring weighting for social value. This is a tender assessment weighting, not a requirement to donate 10% of contract value.
From 1 January 2027, PPN 026 replaces the PPN 002 Social Value Model for in-scope central government tenders.
CommuniTie helps you keep clear contribution records. Agree relevant, additional commitments and evidence with your buyer. PPN 026 introduces a revised model for applicable procurements commencing from 1 January 2027; check the policy specified in each tender.
The CommuniTie framework — six SME-friendly themes
These examples help SMEs and tier 2/3 suppliers organise their community activity. They are not official framework mappings. A useful record says what you did, who benefited, when it happened, and what evidence supports it.
1. Local employment
Hiring locally, creating apprenticeships, and supporting people facing barriers to work.
Match to your buyer’s selected measures
2. Environmental impact
Recording second-hand giving and donor-reported diversion from disposal, with weight estimates kept distinct from measured outcomes.
Match to your buyer’s selected measures
3. Community support
Backing local charities, schools, and community anchor institutions.
Match to your buyer’s selected measures
4. Skills development
Donating equipment, supporting training, and building future workforce pipelines.
Match to your buyer’s selected measures
5. Economic growth
Spending with local SMEs, VCSEs and mutuals to keep money in the community.
Match to your buyer’s selected measures
6. Diversity & inclusion
Supporting under-represented groups, disabled people, and health and wellbeing.
Match to your buyer’s selected measures
CommuniTie activity examples. Check official guidance: PPN 002 and PPN 026.
How CommuniTie captures Social Value data
| Tender Requirement | CommuniTie Provides |
|---|---|
| Donation value (£) | Automatically logged with each donation |
| Recipient organisation | School/charity name, type, and URN |
| Date of contribution | Recorded date and delivery-confirmation date, where available |
| Program description | Item category, social value themes, impact notes |
| Beneficiary count | Estimated beneficiaries captured at claim |
| Geographic reach | Delivery postcode tracked |
| Environmental impact | Landfill diversion and weight logged |
Export your complete Social Value Report as CSV, ready for tender submissions
One Donation. six categories of evidence.
Public sector tenders evaluate social value across 6 categories of public benefit. A donation may relate to more than one theme, but each claimed outcome needs evidence and the same value must not be counted twice.
1. Local employment
STEM and apprenticeship equipment to local schools and colleges creates pathways to employment
2. Environmental impact
Second-hand goods and donor-reported diversion are recorded alongside estimated weights and their sources
3. Community support
Documented gifts-in-kind to registered schools and charities with full audit trail
4. Skills development
Vocational equipment donations flagged separately for skills and training metrics
5. Economic growth
Hyperlocal platform keeps investment in your community with postcode-level tracking
6. Diversity & inclusion
Support schools in areas of need with delivery postcode data for targeted impact evidence
Example: Donate laptops to a local academy and generate evidence of the goods supplied and the recipient’s confirmation. Add evidence of their use where available. One donation may relate to several themes; its value is counted once, and outcomes need supporting evidence.
Export clear records for review against your chosen framework. No certified TOMs, Thrive or Loop integration is currently provided.
Build your community contribution record
Public buyers and lead contractors set their own evidence requirements. CommuniTie helps you document giving clearly, from the initial commitment to confirmed delivery. Existing CSR activity can demonstrate experience; it is not automatically a new contractual commitment.
Economic
Supporting local schools and charities keeps value in the community
Social
Direct support for education and community organisations
Environmental
Diverting goods from landfill extends useful life
Industries we serve
For construction SMEs, tier 2 and tier 3 suppliers, and service businesses that want to support local communities and keep clear records
Construction
S106 & community engagement
Property Development
Planning obligations
Professional Services
CSR programmes
Retail & Hospitality
Local community ties
Healthcare
Community health initiatives
Financial Services
ESG compliance
How Social Value tracking works
Start measuring your community impact in three simple steps
List your donations
Add surplus goods to your inventory or fulfil wishlist requests. Record values and availability.
Schools & charities request items
Local schools and charities browse and claim your donations. Each claim is automatically logged.
Track & report
View your impact dashboard and generate reports for ESG disclosures, S106 and community reporting, or board presentations.
Stop skipping, start supporting
Join the Circular Giving Movement
Don't pay to skip surplus office furniture or last-gen tech. The April 1st rules make it cheaper to donate than to destroy.
Clear your warehouse while filling a classroom. Turn waste into social value and tax efficiency.
The circular economy benefit
Every item you donate extends its useful life, reduces landfill waste, and supports local education. It's good for the planet, good for schools, and good for your bottom line.
Professional reporting for tender submissions
Explore illustrative examples of how local businesses could document community giving for tender submissions. These are sample scenarios, not customer results or evidence of involvement in any named contract.
Example dashboard
See how SMEs in your sector could use CommuniTie's CSR Impact Dashboard to generate Social Value evidence for major UK infrastructure tenders including Universal Studios UK, East West Rail, and Luton Airport expansion. Example scenarios shown below.
Social Value now decides who wins
The Procurement Act 2023 replaced "Most Economically Advantageous Tender" (MEAT) with "Most Advantageous Tender" (MAT). Price alone no longer wins. Central government contracts covered by PPN 002 must now score social value, with at least 10% of the total score. Other public buyers, such as councils, can choose to follow the same approach.
What MAT scoring means for you
- Social Value typically accounts for 10-20% of total tender scoring
- For in-scope central-government tenders, PPN 002 uses social-value scoring. Your buyer specifies the relevant commitments; the weighting is not a donation percentage.
- Contracts over £5m require Section 52 KPIs with ongoing reporting
- Evaluators want evidence of past community impact, not just promises
One click generates a complete Tender Pack with social value metrics, 5 Missions alignment, donation records, and suggested KPIs.
Universal Studios UK
The Bedford mega-development needs hundreds of local contractors. Those with demonstrable community impact score higher.
East West Rail
The Oxford-Cambridge corridor project prioritises suppliers who support communities along the route.
Luton Airport expansion
The airport's growth means procurement opportunities for suppliers who can evidence local community support.
What your impact report looks like
Here's an example scenario: Example: Bedford Electrical Services Ltd building their Social Value profile to tender for Universal Studios UK contracts.
CSR impact dashboard
Example: Bedford Electrical Services Ltd (illustrative)
Your impact at a glance
Social Value metrics
Contribution facts for your buyer or reporting adviser to review; no certified framework mapping
Recorded wishlist goods spending
Surplus donor value estimates
Waste Diverted
Second-hand desks in one donation
Useful goods, another home
Record second-hand donations, donor-reported diversion and weight estimates with their sources. Carbon savings require a material-specific method; CommuniTie does not apply a blanket conversion.
Impact by cause
Recipients include:
A clear story for your business
In this example, six donations support six organisations. Wishlist purchases and surplus estimates are shown separately. Delivery confirmations and permission-aware thank-you stories help explain what the support meant.
Export your impact report
Download for tender submissions, stakeholder presentations, or compliance documentation.
What your CommuniTie dashboard could look like
These example scenarios show how an SME in your sector could use CommuniTie to build a tender-ready Social Value profile. Figures and outcomes here are illustrative. Available MVP exports contain recorded donations and delivery status; tender requirements and outcomes vary.
Bedford Electrical Services Ltd
The challenge
Applying for Tier 2 supplier status on Universal Studios UK. The lead contractor may ask for relevant community contribution evidence alongside pricing; requirements depend on the procurement. Previous bids lacked community impact data.
The solution
Built a Social Value profile through CommuniTie. Purchased requested equipment and donated surplus furniture. The contribution report records giving and delivery status for review alongside the tender requirements.
What they donated
| Item | Recipient | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 12x Chromebooks at £200 each (new) | Bedford Academy | £2,400 |
| PE equipment - 40 items at £17 each (new) | Biddenham International School PTA | £680 |
| 90 children's reading books at £5 each (new) | Keech Hospice Care | £450 |
| Art supplies bundle - consumables (new) | Goldington Green Academy | £380 |
| 6 office desks at £200 each (surplus) | Kempston Youth Club | £1,200 |
| LED bulbs for school hall - bulk (ex-stock) | Castle Newnham School | £290 |
Measured impact
How a typical user might describe their experience:
"A school wishlist gives this example business a clear way to meet local needs and record the goods delivered."
MK Facilities Management
The challenge
This illustrative supplier wants to explain its community support along the Bedford-Cambridge corridor. The buyer or lead contractor would set the actual tender requirements.
The solution
Used CommuniTie to document donations and the recipient organisations. The contribution report supplies donation records; the business maps evidence to the tender requirements.
What they donated
| Item | Recipient | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 10x tablets at £180 each (new) | Sandy Secondary School | £1,800 |
| Stationery supplies - bulk consumables (new) | St Neots Scout Group | £420 |
| 10 musical instruments at £85 each (new) | Biggleswade Academy | £850 |
| 7 office desks at £200 each (surplus) | Wixams Community Centre | £1,400 |
| 8 first aid kits at £40 each (new) | Bedford Foodbank | £320 |
| Gardening tools - bulk items (new) | Flitwick PTA | £280 |
Measured impact
How a typical user might describe their experience:
"This scenario shows how donation records could support a community contribution section in a tender, using the buyer’s own rules."
Luton Catering Supplies Co
The challenge
This illustrative business wants to show its local contribution in a supplier application, with clear records of useful support.
The solution
Recorded wishlist spending, surplus estimates and delivery confirmations through CommuniTie, ready to review against the buyer’s requirements.
What they donated
| Item | Recipient | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 8x laptops at £200 each (new) | Luton Sixth Form College | £1,600 |
| 6 cookware sets at £80 each (new) | Stopsley High School | £480 |
| 70 children's books at £5 each (new) | Dunstable Community Kitchen | £350 |
| Serving trays and tableware - 20 items (ex-display) | Icknield High School | £420 |
| Sports equipment - 25 items at £15 each (new) | Luton Foodbank youth club | £375 |
| Art supplies - bulk consumables (new) | Challney High for Girls | £290 |
Measured impact
How a typical user might describe their experience:
"Useful surplus can support local organisations. The donation record belongs alongside invoices and other supporting evidence."
Combined example impact across 3 sector scenarios
Illustrative figures showing what a small group of SMEs could collectively evidence using CommuniTie
Illustrative figures calculated from the example donations above. They are not customer results or a valuation of social outcomes.
Example company names used for illustration only. Not affiliated with real businesses.
Build your contribution record in 3 steps
Start evidencing community impact before your next tender deadline
Donate surplus
List surplus stock, old equipment, or excess inventory. Local schools and charities claim what they need.
Track automatically
Every donation logs social value metrics, 5 Missions alignment, beneficiary counts, and geographic data. Zero admin.
Download tender pack
One click generates a complete tender submission with Section 52 KPIs, donation records, and MAT scoring evidence.
Ready to win more contracts?
Join SMEs across Bedfordshire building their Social Value profiles for Universal Studios UK, East West Rail, and Luton Airport expansion tenders.
Example downloads
Preview and download example exports with realistic dummy data. These show exactly what you'll get from CommuniTie.
Sample business: Bedford Electrical Services Ltd
Tender Pack
Illustrative donation evidence pack with demonstration data. Use the requirements and valuation rules of the particular tender.
tender-pack-sample.pdf
CSR Dashboard Export
Spreadsheet with all donation data, social value breakdown, and summary statistics. Import into Excel for analysis.
csr-report-sample.csv
Donation Transfer Record
Illustrative donation record showing donor and recipient details and recorded item value. This is not a supplier VAT invoice.
transfer-receipt-sample.pdf
Example certificate
Sample donation record
Demonstration data only. The record shows the donation and delivery details, with no assumed VAT saving or tax eligibility verdict.
Start measuring your community impact
Join businesses across the UK using CommuniTie to track CSR contributions and demonstrate genuine community engagement.