UK Trends in Giving to Charity

Neil Irwin
3 September 2009 - 9:18am
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Some of the key points from research into charitable are that:

• Charitable giving by the public remains a widespread activity - in a typical month 56% of the public made a donation.
• The mean average monthly amount given per donor increased to £33 in 2007/08 up from £29 in 2006/07. The amount most frequently given (the median gift) in 2007/08 was £11.
• Cash giving continues to fall as usage of credit cards and direct debits increases. Donors now prefer more secure methods for giving larger amounts.
• Only 1 in 12 donors gave more than £100, yet their donations accounted for over half of the total amount given. Charities continue to be dependent upon a core of approximately 2.1 million generous, committed supporters.
• Individuals' background influences propensity to give, but only for some causes. The causes of the elderly, the disabled and animals appear to attract a similar proportion of donors from all backgrounds. In contrast, individual background matters much more for giving to overseas and children's causes. These causes attract especially people with high income, higher levels of education and managerial and professional occupations.

A full copy of the research is available from:

http://www.cafonline.org/pdf/UK%20Giving%202008.pdf