Quick facts

• The UK population donated £9.5bn to charity in 2006/7 − this is down 3% on the previous year, when inflation is taken into account.1
• 54% of the population give on a regular basis − again this figure is down 3% from previous year. (The number of those giving did rise short term to 85% after the Tsunami)
• Women (59%) are more likely to give than men (48%), but men give slightly more money.
• On average, UK donors give £29 per month. This has not increased over time, and represents 0.9% of overall UK GDP per person.3 This compares to 2.2% of GDP given in the US.4
• 48% of donors give using cash; only 29% give through regular planned payments or direct debit (up from 26% in 2004/5).
• Big events such as the Pakistani earthquake and Live 8 concerts have encouraged new ways to donate – online, by text and by phone.
• Only £2.6bn of donations (just 30%) use Gift Aid. There would be a potential increase of £625m to the sector if another third of all donations were given in a tax efficient manner.2
• 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.
• Donors are more likely to give to larger charities with the reassurance of big household names. There is a rise in ‘Living & Giving’ – higher involvement and lifestyle statement about donations (eg, charity runs).5 Cancer Research UK's Race for Life has over 700,000 taking part each year, while the Flora London Marathon has 35,000 runners and is at least five times oversubscribed.

Individual giving in the UK as % of GDP

Source: CAF Charity Trends 2006

Sector trends

• Overall after a period of 5 years of static giving by the general UK population the amount donated in 2006/7 has declined. There is a core of regular givers and a wider group who respond to specific media events or global crises.
• Some 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 Report 2007 (NCVO)
2. The UK Voluntary Sector Almanac 2007, National Council of Voluntary Organisations (NCVO).
3. Charity Trends 2007, Charities Aid Foundation.
4. Giving USA, 2007.
5. The 21st century donor, nfpSynergy.