CUMBRIA Community Foundation has launched a new scheme for financial advisers whose clients want to make special tax-reducing gifts.

The 'Share Aware' scheme allows clients to donate to a range of good causes while reducing the adviser's paperwork to a minimum.

Special tax incentives mean that donations qualify for a special top-up from the taxman.

Andrew Beeforth, director of the Community Foundation, said: "We were worried that financial advisers might be put off recommending tax-reducing gifts by the workload involved, but 'Share Aware' means that they can have a single point of contact for all sorts of gifts - so it's good for them and great for their clients."

Donations to the Community Foundation will be pooled and invested, with the return supporting good causes all year, every year.

The Share Aware scheme is supporting communities via the Foundation's grant-making, which targets people with disabilities, children and young people, elderly people and homelessness.

Valerie Fisher, tax specialist and partner with Dodd & Co chartered Accountants said: "I find Cumbria Community Foundation useful for clients who want their various charitable interests to remain private.

But it offers the same tax concessions to everyone without having to build new links each time."

Anyone who pays tax can give to Cumbria Community Foundation and take advantage of concessions now, which will reduce their outgoings next April.

Founded in August, 1999, the Community Foundation is dedicated to improving the quality of community life for people in Cumbria by building a professionally-managed endowment fund, using its resources flexibly to match the wishes of donors and community needs.

A total of 141 groups have already received support and £179,850 has been distributed in grant aid.