UK Giving 2008 shows rise of regular giving as fewer
people choose to make cash donations
10 December 2008
UK Giving
2008, the most comprehensive research into UK charitable
giving habits, published today by the Charities Aid Foundation
(CAF) and the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO),
shows that cash donations to charity fell by £367 million, from
£1.7 billion in 2006/07 to £1.3 billion in 2007/08.
The survey of 3,322 UK adults, carried out in June and October
2007 and February 2008, shows that despite the large fall in the
amount of “loose change” donated to charity, cash donations are
still by far the most popular way to give with 47% of donors giving
in this way.
UK Giving 2008 shows that before the banking crisis
giving levels rose 8% - to an estimated £10.6 billion total.
Regular methods of giving, such as direct debit, payroll giving or
membership fees, continued to rise slowly. The amount given by
direct debit went up from £2.4 billion to £2.5 billion while the
amount given by payroll giving moved from £88 million to £96
million.
The mean average monthly amount given by donors increased from
£29 in 2006/07 to £33 in 2007/08. In a typical month 56% (28
million) of the UK public donated.
John Low, Chief Executive of CAF, said: "The increasing
generosity of the British public shown in UK Giving over
this period is especially encouraging given the challenging times
ahead.
“While the rise in committed giving is more welcome than ever,
should the serious decline in cash donations continue at this rate
or even accelerate due to deteriorating economic conditions,
charities will need to react quickly and decisively if they are to
secure their income.”
Stuart Etherington, CEO of NCVO said: “A significant majority of
the population will continue to support charities through periods
of economic boom and bust.
“At the end of the day, people's donations are supporting
causes: and it remains the case that giving to charities is the
most direct, effective way to address the social problems that
people encounter both within their local communities and
beyond.”
More women still tend to give than men, but the number of women
giving fell slightly (from 59% to 58%) while giving by men rose
from 48% to 51%. In contrast, women gave a mean annual average of
£354 compared with £442 from men, a rise on last year.
One in 12 donors gave over £100 a month. However, this small
number of regular donors account for 51% of all donations. Just
over half (52%) of high-level donors are men and 45% of these
high-level donors are aged 45-64 years.
Medical research remained the most popular cause in terms of the
proportion of donors that support the cause, but religious
charities have now overtaken medical research as the most popular
in terms of the amount of money given. £1.9bn (18% of the total
amount given to charities) was given to religious causes.
Find out more about UK
Giving 2008 >>
Notes to editors:
1. UK Giving 2008 The UK Giving survey
is carried out through a module of questions which are run as part
of the Office of National Statistics Omnibus Survey. The survey of
3,322 UK adults was conducted between June and October 2007 and in
February 2008.
2. The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO)
www.ncvo-vol.org.uk is the
umbrella body for the voluntary sector in England, with sister
councils in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. NCVO has over
6,500 members, ranging from large national bodies to community
groups, volunteer centres, and development agencies working at a
local level. With over 280,000 staff and over 13 million volunteers
working for our members, we represent and support almost half the
voluntary sector workforce.
3. The Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) is a charity set up
to help other charities by working with donors, companies and
charities to encourage and facilitate a culture of giving. They do
this by offering products and services that make giving easier, tax
efficient and help charities to make the most of donations through
their banking and fundraising support services.
Media Contacts:
Mandy Pursey
Head of PR
Charities Aid Foundation
T: 0207 832 3012
Out of office: 0774 044 9491
E: mpursey@cafonline.org
George Leigh
Press Officer
Charities Aid Foundation
T: 0207 832 3072
M: 0796 018 2471
E: gleigh@cafonline.org
Grant Imlach
NCVO
T: 0207 520 2468
E: grant.imlach@ncvo-vol.org.uk
Jemima Broadbridge
NCVO
T: 0207 520 2469
E: jemima.broadbridge@ncvo-vol.org.uk