# Oxfam’s income drops 4.6% in a year

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2013/07/25/oxfam039s-income-drops-46-year/
- Published: 2013-07-25T09:04:11+01:00
- Author: Howard Lake

Oxfam’s Annual Report for 2012/13 reveals that the charity has experienced a drop
in income of £17.6 million (4.6%) in the latest financial year compared to 2011/
12. At the same time, demands on the charity increased and it spent an extra £3.6
million on its work with people living in poverty worldwide.

## Public fundraising and shops income down

Oxfam’s shops, which had previously weathered the early years of the economic downturn,
reported a drop of £1.2 mllion (1.3%) in retail sales. Many of them reported a drop
in donated items from the public. The shops network’s contribution to the charity
dropped by 9.9% to £20.1 million.

The charity’s fundraising incomes, which includes donations from supporters, the
public and grants, was also down by £15 million (5.6%) on last year, at £267.8 million.

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Bob Humphreys, Oxfam Finance Director, commented:  “It is not surprising that challenging
times for the economy have impacted on our income.  We are fortunate that regular
donations held up well. However, the lack of a single, high-profile emergency appeal
alongside an unexpected shortfall in legacy income led to a drop in the overall 
contribution from UK public fundraising.

“After several years of pressure on household incomes, people are buying fewer new
clothes and other items, which has a knock-on effect on the quantity and quality
of donations to our shops.  We need confidence in the UK economy to return – not
least to help the many people in the UK who are struggling financially.  We also
urgently need people to donate any unwanted clothes, books and homewares to Oxfam,
every item helps.”

## Distribution of costs

Oxfam’s annual report states that for every £1 donated to Oxfam, 84p is spent on
its emergency, development and campaigning work. Support costs account for 9p in
every £1, and fundraising for 7p in every £1.

The charity reports that it has reduced central costs over the last year including“
taking £3 million out of our support costs”.

## Call to support Syria appeal

In response to the drop in income Mark Goldring, Oxfam Chief Executive called on
the UK public to support the charity’s appeal for the Syria emergency, and to become
regular donors.

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