Northern Ireland most generous survey reveals
Howard Lake | 22 July 2007 | News
People in Northern Ireland are the most likely in the UK to give money to charity, a survey has revealed. A think tank said the reasons could include higher levels of church-going or more effective fundraising strategies by voluntary groups.
Despite relatively low incomes, households which made donations were handing over £42 (‚€62.50) a month on average, a government study found. The report – Family Expenditure Survey – found that 47% of those polled in the province gave away money, compared with the UK average of 30%.
Charities benefiting range from those combating famine in Africa to supporting cancer research in the North. The portion of income given was 1.7% in the province.
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The UK-wide 2006 snapshot showed people in the southern Great Britain were donating more than those in the North. Levels ranged from £15 (‚€22) per month in the East Midlands to £83 (‚€124) in London.
nfpSynergy is conducting an analysis of the research, which was based on 6,000 households across the UK.The group specialises in voluntary sector issues.
nfpSynergy spokesman Patrick Brennan said: It could be that Northern Ireland people are more intrinsically generous or local fundraisers are doing a better job.
These dramatic and unequivocal findings raise important further questions.
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.