# Irish charities report big fall in income

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2009/06/29/irish-charities-report-big-fall-income/
- Published: 2009-06-29T00:01:01+01:00
- Author: Howard Lake

Irish charities have seen a significant fall in revenues during the first six months
of this year, according to a new survey.

 

 [⌊Irish 50 Cent Coin⌉](http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidden/239581180)

_Photo: [Irish 50 cent coin by DavidDennisPhotos.com on Flickr.com](http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidden/239581180)_

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The poll was carried out by The Wheel, the national support and representative body
for community and voluntary organisations, to measure the effects of the recession
on Ireland’s community and voluntary sector.

 

Of the 146 responding organisations, 75% reported a fall in their overall income
between January and June, while 67% reported a reduction in the amount of funding
they received from Government.

 

Moreover, the survey found that nearly half of all charities (44%) receive 80% or
more of their total income from Government sources, and 45% do not fundraise directly
from the public at all.

 

The Wheel’s chief executive, Deirdre Garvey, said community and voluntary organisations
will have to diversify their funding sources, if they are to weather the recession.

 

“Even if Government revenues stabilise, charities should not expect the same level
of statutory funding in future,” she said. “Instead, organisations should develop
their entrepreneurial skills and explore new ways of collaborating to reduce their
costs.”

 

“We are saying to charities that they have to be more proactive in asking the public
for donations. People may be able to give less, but many small donations could cushion
the effects of further cuts in statutory funding,” she said.

 

The survey reveals that so far, charities have been responding to the crisis by 
suspending or delaying projects and cutting back in the areas of human resources
and administration.

 

Nearly 60% have either suspended or delayed projects during the past six months,
and 22% have already made staff redundant. More than half (52%) expect their revenues
to fall further this year.

 

www.wheel.ie

 

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