Donations down

25/06/08

Charities are feeling the pinch of the credit crunch as new research reveals that the number of Brits who donate more than £5 per year to charity has dropped to its lowest level in three years.

Third Sector revealed the British Market Bureau statistics.  According to the report, the figure has dropped from 70 per cent to 63 per cent.

Cathy Pharoah, co-director of the Economic and Social Research Council's Research Centre for Charitable Giving and Philanthropy, said: 'The sample captures a lot of low-level donors and shows people are feeling the squeeze.'

She continued: 'Given the recessionary environment, it's possible the trend will continue, and charities should certainly be preparing for it.'

The research also revealed that only nine per cent of respondents had donated online, compared with 31 per cent by post, so clearly charities need to do more to encourage the use of technology amongst donors.

Cash and cheque were the favourite ways for people to donate with 46 per cent of people saying they preferred to give that way.

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