# Survey shows public support for opt-in on charity communications

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2016/04/28/survey-shows-public-support-opt-charity-communications/
- Published: 2016-04-28T09:34:09+01:00
- Author: Melanie May

**A [Harris Interactive study](http://harris-interactive.co.uk/should-charities-switch-to-opt-in-only-fundraising-communications/),
which polled 500 members of the public on fundraising communications indicates strong
support for an opt-in policy.**

The survey first introduced the fact that Cancer Research UK had announced they 
are switching to opt-in only fundraising communications and asked how strongly respondents
agreed that this is a move all charities should take. 85% either strongly agreed
or agreed that charities should adopt an opt-in only policy, with 3.5% disagreeing.

Nearly two thirds (59%) said that taking an opt-in only approach to fundraising 
communications would lead to them trusting the charity more. Just under one third
said it wouldn’t affect their trust towards a charity, 7% said they didn’t know 
while 2% said it would have an adverse effect on their trust.

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The survey also asked whether a Fundraising Preference Service where people could
opt out of all fundraising communications was a good idea. Over two thirds (67%)
of respondents either strongly agreed, or agreed, with 23% saying they neither agreed,
nor disagreed. Less than 10% either disagreed, or strongly disagreed with the idea
of the scheme.

When asked how likely they would be to sign up to the service, 54% either said they
would be very likely, or likely to sign up for it. Just under a third (30%) said
they were neither likely, nor unlikely and 16% would be either unlikely or very 
unlikely to sign up.

Jonathan Pitts, from [Harris Interactive](http://harris-interactive.co.uk/) said:

> “The survey results show that the majority of the public agree charities should
> adopt opt-in only communications for fundraising. For charities that have already
> taken this step, or are working towards it, there’s encouraging signs that this
> will build trust and confidence. A key challenge for charities looking to adopt
> this policy will be getting new and current donors to opt-in if they haven’t already.”

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