UK Giving 2009 Key Findings
UK Giving 2009 Key Findings
- 54% of adults donate in an average month, down from 56% in 2007/08
- The median monthly donation is £10 per month
- Cash is still the most popular method for giving
- Individuals donated £9.9 billion to charity, down 11% from 2007/08
Has the recession affected giving in the UK?
- The economic downturn has coincided with an 11% decrease in the total amount given in the UK. The proportion of people giving and the average donation have declined to 2006/07 levels. This is a significant reduction in real-terms when compared with 2007/08.
Who is giving to charity?
- A small number of donors continue to generate a large proportion of the total amount donated. In 2008/09, 2 million people (7% of donors) gave more than £100 per month, but these donors generated almost half (49%) of the total amount given to charity.
- A noticeable fall in average donations by higher-income earners and those in professional occupations has accounted for some of the decline in the overall amount given.
- Overall in 2008/09, 58% of women gave to charity compared to 49% of men. Within all age groups women were more likely to donate than men.
- On average, men tend to give larger amounts than women (mean amount given: £32 compared to £30 per month, respectively).
The biggest increase in the proportion of people giving was in the over-65 age group, up by four percentage points to 58%. This age group now has the highest proportion of people donating.
Who benefits from giving?
- It appears that the recession has not affected the types of causes that people support. Medical research continues to be the most popular cause in terms of the number of supporters. Religious charities take the largest share of the total amount given.
Methods of giving
- The methods by which people choose to donate to charity have remained relatively stable. Most people give cash donations, although larger amounts tend to be given via direct debit. The use of regular giving methods is increasing, which may provide more stable and predictable levels of support to charities able to capitalise on this.
Implications and way forward:
- Maximising usage of Gift Aid would help offset the fall in overall donations.
- Promotion of regular, planned giving would enable charities to predict income and manage funds more strategically; Government and the sector must explore ways to promote and enhance planned giving mechanisms.
- Simplifying and improving the system of tax relief on donations for higher earners could release extra funds for the sector.
Read UK Giving 2009 in full (PDF 531KB)
