Understanding the uk giving landscape

UK Giving is the largest multi-year study of giving behaviour in the UK.

The findings are based on monthly interviews and includes a yearly total of more than 12,000 individual interviews. The report will help you understand who gives to charity, what causes they support and how they like to support them.

Responses to this year's survey show that yet again the key measures of giving are on a downward path. For the third year running significantly fewer people say they are giving. 

Take a look at the key findings below and download the report for all the information.
Download the UK Giving 2019 report

Individual giving to charity

Key findings in the UK Giving 2019 report.

Giving money

The proportion of people giving money to charity either by donating or via sponsorship has seen a steady decline between 2016 and 2018 (69% to 65% in 2018).

Trust in charities

Trust in charities has decreased significantly since 2016. 48% of people said that they believe charities to be trustworthy (down from 51%).

Amounts given

Although fewer people report that they are giving money, those who do give are giving higher amounts. 

Overall, the total amount given to charity in 2018 remains largely the same as 2017 at £10.1 billion.

Overall participation

The number of people reporting having participated in charitable or social activities in the previous four weeks has decreased over the last three years.

But with 64% of people taking part in charitable activities, participation remains high.

What people give to

In 2018 children/young people and animal welfare jointly lead the list of the causes people say they donate to. With 26% of people saying they gave to each of those causes in the past month.

Top months for giving

Peak months for giving are November and December. This has become a yearly pattern largely due to established fundraising campaigns over these months. These are also the main months for donating with cash.

Being asked to give

Fewer people say they have been approached to donate money than in previous years. This is across a variety of ways: on the street, door to door and particularly direct mail (fallen from 28% in 2016 to 23% in 2018). 

Volunteering

Rates of volunteering remain stable, as do the proportion of people giving goods to a charitable cause.

Monthly insights into UK Giving

In addition to our annual survey, each month we ask more than 1000 UK adults about their giving behaviour and attitudes towards charities, with a focus on latest news and trends. The results are published as an infographic and published online and available free via email. Subscribe to receive our free monthly UK Giving infographic.

Previous UK Giving reports

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UK Giving 2016

This report looks into how much is donated, who the donors are, where the donations go and the trends over time.

Read UK Giving
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UK Giving 2017 report

Discover insight into donor behaviour, key issues affecting charities and responses to significant UK events.

Read the 2017 report
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UK Giving 2018

Find out who gives to good causes, how people give and which charities are most likely to receive support.

Read the report
Charities Aid Foundation has been researching UK giving trends since 1975. Earlier UK Giving reports can be found in our publications library. All of our research is free to read and download. Sign up to receive news of our latest publications.
 
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Want to know more?

Contact the Research and Insight Team

Our research and insight programme is focused on investigating and increasing understanding of charitable giving and philanthropy.

Get in touch today