It's instrumental in taking up a collection (5)
I believe the answer is:
cello
'it's instrumental' is the definition.
(cello is a kind of musical instrument)
'taking up a collection' is the wordplay.
'CELLO' is hidden backwards in amongst the letters.
However, I'm not sure how the hidden word is indicated.
'in' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for cello that I've seen before include "10 [INSTRUMENT]" , "Music-maker" , "Casals' instrument" , "Musical instrument like large violin held between knees" , "Orchestral instrument played between the legs" .)