CAF Bank and PBE partner to help charities plan for economic uncertainty

14 October 2026

Sector think tank PBE and charity banking specialists CAF Bank are launching a multi-year partnership to help charities, social purpose organisations and funders understand economic challenges and make more informed decisions about fundraising, operations and service delivery.

Charities face pressure on several fronts, with rising costs, reduced donations and greater demand for services making financial planning increasingly difficult for leaders.

PBE analysts will publish Charities and the Economy briefings at key moments, including the Autumn Budget, explaining what economic developments mean for the sector. The partnership will also develop economic models to support charity planning and share analysis through events.

Alison Taylor, CEO, CAF Bank said:

“CAF Bank’s research partnership with PBE comes at a crucial time for the charity sector as organisations face rising demand, increased costs, and falling incomes. Charities have a remarkable ability to adapt and innovate, but these challenges limit their ability to plan for the future. We hope that Charities and the Economy will provide vital insight to help organisations make informed, long-term decisions to strengthen their resilience and support their missions.”

Jon Franklin, Interim Co-CEO, PBE said:

“Charity leaders are making difficult decisions in a challenging economic environment, at organisations that are already feeling the strain. By combining PBE’s economic expertise and close ties with the social sector with CAF Bank’s deep knowledge of charities’ finances, we can help leaders understand what changes in the economy mean for their organisations and plan with greater confidence.”