Giving continues to fall

Charities are facing a downturn as new research shows donations have consistently dipped as the sector fights against bad publicity.

Research by the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) shows that the proportion of UK public who gave money direct to charity in 2018 dropped to 57%, compared with 60% the previous year and 61% in 2016.

It said there has been a clear downward trend over the three years, a period during which the charity sector was rocked by scandals.

Those giving cash or sponsoring someone fell to 65%, compared with 67% in 2017 and 69% the year before.

Susan Pinkney, CAF’s head of research, said: “If people lack trust, that means they worry that their hard-earned money is not being well spent when donated to charities.

“This is a challenge that the entire charity sector needs to tackle head-on and find ways to inspire people to give and demonstrate to them that their money is making a difference.”

Fewer people had been approached to make a donation in the street or on the doorstep last year, or received direct mail requests. However although fewer people report that they are giving money, those who do give are giving higher amounts.

In 2018 children/young people and animal welfare jointly lead the list of the causes people say they donate to. With 26% of people saying they gave to each of those causes in the past month.

Overall, the total amount given to charity in 2018 remains largely the same as 2017 at £10.1 billion.

Last year research by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations revealed public trust in charities in Scotland had fallen 9% over the past two years.