nfpSynergy Press Releases 2008

Smaller charities grow at a third the rate of large or medium-sized ones; and are more likely to see incomes actually shrink in a downturn

Compared with large and medium-sized voluntary organisations, smaller charities struggle to grow turnovers in real terms (excl. inflation), even in boom times, and are more likely to actually see their annual incomes shrink during downturns - according to a new analysis of UK charities’ finances over the last three decades (see attached summary slides).

Public put off more by how a charity spends its money than how it raises it

The public is more put off by how a charity spends its income than how it generates it - according to new research out today (see attached summary slides).


Public dramatically overestimate charity admin and fundraising costs

The public are dramatically overestimating charities’ admin and fundraising costs but are more tolerant of the latter - according to new research out today (click here to download the relevant charts - CEMJuly08MediaEdit1.pdf (82.39KB) )

The public falsely believe that, on average, over a third (35%) of a charity’s income actually goes on fundraising and a shocking 40% on admin, when true figures for average-sized charities are likely to be far lower than this – not least regarding admin.


Government’s own data shows no upward trend in volunteering since 2001

Levels of at-least-once-a-month volunteering – the frequency deemed most relevant by Government - were steady across 2001-2008, with no discernable trend up or down, according to the Government’s own latest figures (slide 4, attached). During this period, overall volunteering levels fluctuated within 47%-50% (27%-29%, “formal”; 34%-37%, “informal”). Click here to see the powerpoint presentation - VolunteeringTrendsSince2001GovernmentDataAnalysis.pdf (28.66KB)


Public sector claims to prefer charities to deliver its services yet fights shy of contracting them

58% of Councillors and 50% of Local Authority staff think “charities are able to deliver public services as cost-effectively as local authorities” - according to the latest data (see summary slides ). However, Local Authority staff estimate just 14% of services are provided by the voluntary sector, with companies bagging a quarter (26%) of all delivery contracts.


Fluctuations in GDP hit charities’ average voluntary income - after 10 month lag

Growth in charities’ average voluntary income rises or falls 10 months after any rise or fall in GDP growth, followed by peak impact on overall income growth a further 7 months later - according to a financial analysis by nfpSynergy. Click here to see the charts - CharitiesInADownturnSlides.pdf (73.98KB)


Institute of Fundraising asks Joe Saxton to forge a campaign coalition to reduce SMS text charges for donations
 
The Institute of Fundraising has invited its outgoing chair, Joe Saxton, to forge a coalition of all parties keen to reduce current prohibitive fees the telecoms industry charges charities who seek donations via SMS text messaging.


Councillors & Local Authorities rate charities highly for public service provision - but doubt Compact

58% of Councillors and 50% of Local Authority staff think “charities are able to deliver public services as cost-effectively as local authorities”, respective figures rising to 63% and 59% when comparing charitable ability in this area with that of companies - according to new figures (see summary slides).


New report says online fundraising needs more than “donate now”: donors must be engaged on their own terms in online world

Many charities overly rely on passive online fundraising tactics like “donate now” buttons that are, in isolation, a decade out of date, according to a new report (see report summary here) These are the key findings of “Passion, persistence & partnership: the secrets of earning more online”, produced by nfpSynergy, working with MissionFish - the innovative force behind eBay for Charity - and supported by the Institute of Fundraising.


3 in 4 MPs think charities campaign better than companies

Three quarters (76%) of all MPs agree agree that “in general, charities are more effective at campaigning amongst MPs than companies”; a quarter (24%) agreeing “strongly” - according to new figures. Click here to see the charts.


Youth volunteering levels flat, 2006-7, with an “engagement watershed” around age 16

Youth volunteering levels fluctuated but remained broadly flat for the 18 month period Mar 2006 – Nov 2007, with 13%-19% 11-25 year olds claiming to have volunteered for a charity “in the last three months”, according to latest figures. Click here to see the charts.


Public trust in charities slumps nine points, 2006-2007

Public trust in charities slumped 9 percentage points (from 51% to 42%) between Sept 2006 and July 2007, according to latest figures released by nfpSynergy, taken from the Charity Awareness Monitor. People from lower social grades (DEs: 30%), 55-64 year olds (35%) and those living in Yorkshire and the North East (26%) show least trust. Only the BBC and the Bank seem to have taken a bigger institutional battering. Click here to see the relevant figures.


Research shows effective lobbying requires voluntary income

Charities whose voluntary funding has given them significant financial independence from governmental, statutory sources are far more likely to have the confidence to engage with, and impress, MPs - according to new data out today. The top 30 MP-impressing UK charities’ average voluntary income is 61%, against 38% sector-wide average


Volunteering levels flat since 2003

Government strategy has failed to deliver rising volunteer numbers thus far. Volunteering levels have been fluctuating (18-20%) but remained broadly flat since 2003, with a notable slump amongst 54-64 year olds (down by a third, from 23% in 2001 to 16% in 2007), as the Government’s strategy thus far fails to deliver rising volunteer numbers - according to a new briefing out today (downloadable from our free reports page).