# Brexit a key concern for charities, CAF Charity Landscape report shows

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2019/04/08/brexit-key-concern-charities-caf-charity-landscape-report-shows/
- Published: 2019-04-08T08:00:29+01:00
- Author: Melanie May

**The majority of charities saw demand for their services rise over the last 12 
months with generating more income remaining the top challenge for charity leaders,
and many fearing that Brexit will have a negative effect on their organisation, 
according to a new report from Charities Aid Foundation.**

 

[CAF](http://www.cafonline.org)’s latest Charity Landscape report, released today,
asked leaders in the charity industry about about the political and social landscape
they are operating in. It found that 83% saw demand for services increase with 86%
expecting this to continue over the next 12 months, and 92% also believing that 
they will be expected to fill gaps in public services provision going forward.

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However, generating more income continues to be the top challenge for 59% of charity
leaders (62% in 2017), followed by meeting demand for services (unchanged at 33%)
and reduction in public/government funding (32% and 29% in 2017)

 

63% also felt that Brexit will have a negative effect on their charity, with 37%
believing donations will fall as a result.

 

In addition, only 21% of charity leaders feel that over the next five years, government
will value charities for their advocacy role and ability to offer constructive challenge,
instead tending to see them as service providers. 59% also believe that over the
next five years government will view charities as a nuisance for criticising their
policies.

 

Other findings from the report show that there is also still work to be done in 
terms of demonstrating impact to the public:

 

 * Nearly six in 10 (59%) of charity leaders think that the sector has been badly
   impacted by recent negative media stories
 * Just over a third (35%) thinks that charities are good at demonstrating their
   impact to the public
 * Around seven in 10 also agree that most people do not understand the importance
   of charities to public life

 

Susan Pinkney, Head of Research at the Charities Aid Foundation comments:

 

> “All organisations are operating in a difficult political and social landscape
> at the moment; the charity sector is no exception to this.
> “Charity leaders have spoken with a united and clear voice, emphasising several
> key points. They are fearful of the impact that Brexit will have, for example 
> on staff retention and the ongoing funding that allows them to provide services
> for those who need them.
> “Despite this, there are reasons to be optimistic. 87% of charity leaders are 
> investing in technological innovation in order to meet the evolving needs of their
> beneficiaries, reflecting a strong desire to plan ahead for the future.”

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