# EFA report reveals Europe-wide optimism in voluntary income growth

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2015/12/03/efa-report-reveals-europe-wide-optimism-voluntary-income-growth/
- Published: 2015-12-03T21:42:39+00:00
- Author: Melanie May

**Fundraising associations across Europe are optimistic about voluntary income growth,
according to research from the European Fundraising Association (EFA).**

The report, _Fundraising in Europe 2015_, questioned fundraising associations in
16 European countries, The majority of the associations surveyed reported that voluntary
income rose (eight) or remained stable (six) from 2013 to 2014, with nine nations
anticipating further growth for 2015.

In addition, for the first time the EFA has collated voluntary income data from 
thirteen European nations, which indicates that voluntary income is worth an estimated
€40 billion euros annually across these countries. The figures also indicate that
the UK, Germany and Italy raise the largest amounts, with their voluntary income
reported at €17 billion, €8 billion and €4 billion respectively.

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New fundraising techniques, developments in technology, and the use of social media
are the factors that fundraising associations attribute to having had the most positive
influence on charity fundraising over the past year, followed by higher standards
of fundraising.

The majority of European nations reported that public trust and confidence is largely
stable, with four nations indicating a fall from 2013 to 2014 while only one thought
trust had risen. Public trust in charities was identified as the top area of concern,
with references to both charity scandals and other national events as likely contributing
factors.

The most negative factor to have affected fundraising from 2013 to 2014 seems to
have been the implementation of the new Single Euro Payments Area regulations, with
six European nations identifying difficulties in implementing and adapting to the
new scheme.

Many nations also report a reduction to some funding channels, despite all sixteen
associations surveyed saying that charities in their nation are facing increasing
demand for charitable services.

Günther Lutschinger, president of the** **European Fundraising Association** **and****
CEO of Fundraising Verband Austria said:

>  _“_For the second year in a row, the majority of nations anticipate further growth
> in voluntary income for the year ahead. At the same time, there is widespread 
> recognition that the sector cannot take its treasured position of public trust
> for granted. To protect that trust, charities have to work hard to build public
> understanding not only of their services, but of the way that they operate.”

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