Study finds some charities almost totally reliant on the method

Some charities are still relying on direct mail to raise funds, with some spending up to 90% on their income on it.

Despite many charities moving away from reliance on the method, a study by the Charity Commission show some groups remain almost totally reliant on the method to raise funds.

The Hungry Children Project raised £430,950 in income through fundraising but spent £385,822 on direct mail costs – 90% of its voluntary income. The London-based charity makes grants to organisations working to relieve poverty.

Gandhi World Hunger was the second highest in the list, spending 88% of its £734,718 income raised through fundraising on direct mail costs, according to the commission.

And Medical Mission International was the third highest in the study spending 86% of the £1,078,635 raised through fundraising on direct mail costs.

David Holdsworth, chief operating officer at the Charity Commission, said: “The commission undertook a review in 2015 focusing on charities using direct mailing as their principal source of fundraising. We identified several concerns and where necessary issued action plans for making improvements. We are actively monitoring these."