Public confidence in charities directly related to how they spend cash survey finds

Rebrands, London offices and salaries over £50,000 are all seen as excessive by the British public according to a new survey on public attitudes to charity spending.

An nfpSynergy survey found that two-thirds of people think charities spending money on rebrands and London offices are wasting donations.

Over half the respondents said charities paying staff members over £50,000 a year and allowing frist class travel would prevent them donating.

More positively, over half of people deem advertising worthy of spending money on and 61% feel the same about developing a website.

NfpSynergy’s driver of Ideas, Joe Saxton, said: “Our research shows how important it is for charities to manage the public’s perception of waste and frugality.

The public want to feel that the charities they support are being frugal and using their money wisely

“So while nobody travelling first class on expenses might save relatively small amounts of money, it is symbolic of a frugal charity. The public want to feel that the charities they support are being frugal and using their money wisely. Perception is reality for many donors and members of the public.”

Just under half thought it’s worthwhile for charities to create magazines to update donors on their work, while 39% see the value of spending donations on lobbying, although that figure is down 19% on last year.

And one in four were reassured by staff paying for their own Christmas party, while one in 10 opted for staff working for free one day a month.