Half of top community leaders anxious about future fundraising, says survey

Howard Lake | 23 January 2003 | News

Research among 100 of the top community leaders in the UK, commissioned by Charity Bank, has found that one in two were anxious about future fundraising.

Such concerns are not surprising given the FTSE 100’s 25% decline over the last 12 months. The community leaders polled

believed that the FTSE’s recent poor performance could have a

strong negative impact not only on companies and trusts giving throughout 2003 but also on the reserves of those charities that have equity holdings.

An analysis of income sources revealed that most charities still rated three main sources of income as very important:

• Statutory sources (77%)
• Charitable trusts (67%)
• Company giving (55%)

In response to these fears for 2003, two thirds of community leaders indicated that their trustees were prepared to look for new ways of funding.

Malcolm Hayday, Chief Executive of Charity Bank, said: “The growing concern about charitable funding means many organisations are looking at different options. It is encouraging that the survey also found that almost two in

three charities rated the increasing importance of earned income and trading. This shift requires new responses from funders. New organisations such as Charity Bank are now open for business, enabling charities to carry on with vital work rather than call on reserves at a difficult time.”

Active Community Unit Director, Helen Edwards, said: “Charity Bank is a welcome addition in the journey to increase funding and money available to charitable organisations. I am sure that Charity Bank will add value to our principles of building a fair, prosperous and cohesive society in which everyone has a stake, and aid in the development of a civil society.”

The research was carried out by The SMART Company, a strategic consultancy specialising in social, ethical and environmental responsibility.

About Howard Lake
Howard Lake is consultant editor of UK Fundraising. He founded the site in 1994 and successfully sold it in 2022. As director of Giving X Ltd he is exploring growing giving on a massive scale. He is the founder of Fundraising Camp and co-founder of GoodJobs.