Charitable Giving in the UK: A pandemic update  

The largest study of giving behaviour in the UK 

This UK Giving report sets out the continuing impact that the pandemic is having on people’s giving behaviours. It is based on monthly online interviews throughout 2020, and includes more recent polling in 2021 as restrictions began to lift (c. 22,000 interviews in total). The research highlights key trends that will assist charities, policymakers, and wider society to better understand the UK’s changing giving landscape. 


View the report Contact our media office

Key findings: what did we learn? 

People in the UK gave
£11.3 billion to charity in 2020

A total of £10.6 billion was donated
in 2019

The number of people giving to charity has dropped

There was a notably subdued 2020 festive giving period and donation levels in 2021 are below average

But those who are giving
are giving more

Larger than usual donations and charitable gifts were being made at the start of the pandemic

Cash giving has reached an all-time low

As little as 7% of donors used cash in January 2021

The most popular cause to donate to is animal welfare

More than a quarter of donors (27%) gave to animal causes in 2020

Gift-aid use has increased since the pandemic began

In 2020 more people reported using Gift Aid on donations than ever before

Research and Insight

Want to know more? 

Our research and insight programme is focused on increasing understanding of charitable giving and philanthropy in the UK and internationally.  Our latest polling results from surveys with charities and the public can be viewed on our Covid-19: what it means for giving page.


Contact our research team

 

Media Enquiries

Are you a member of the media? 

For all media enquiries, please visit our media office, call us on 03000 123286 or email us direct.  

Previous UK Giving Reports

uk-giving-2020-special report

UK Giving during Covid-19: A special report

Despite Covid-19, giving remains in line with previous years but fundraising challenges takes a toll on some key causes.

Read the report
UK Giving

UK Giving 2019

The number of people in the UK regularly giving to charity has declined for the third year in a row.

Read the report
CharitiesBlog_380x220

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