UK donors

Quick facts

• The economic downturn has coincided with an 11% decrease in the total amount given in the UK1. In 2008/9 UK individuals gave £9.9 billion to charity − £1.3bn less than the previous year, when inflation is taken into account.1
• Women (58%) are more likely to give than men (49%), but men give slightly more money. This is true except for younger age groups (16-25), where woman give donations which are on average twice as high as men.1
• Regular methods of giving (for example direct debit or payroll giving) have increased in popularity; with 37% of donors giving by a regular method in 2008/09, up from 34% in 2006/07.1
• Donors are generally content with their giving, but they are less likely to take the value of charities for granted – they are looking for evidence that their money is used effectively.

Individual giving in the UK 2006/07 – 2008/09

 

	2006-07	2007/08	2008/09
Proportion of adults giving (%)	54	56	54
Total number of donors (millions)	26.8	27.7	26.9
Estimated total amount donated, inflation adjusted (£billion)	10.3	11.2	9.9
Mean amount per donor	£29	£33	£31
Median amount per donors	£10	£11	£10

Source: UK Giving 2009, NCVO/CAF

Sector trends

• Some people have taken up the government tax relief using Gift Aid, but a huge opportunity remains to increase revenue for the sector with tax efficient giving.
• Charities need to find new ways to engage the donor – using new technologies and encouraging regular giving. In return they need to provide feedback and transparency and involve donors as stakeholders.

Notes

1. UK Giving 2009 (NCVO/CAF)

>>Return to Giving Trends page