# Digitisation of donations means young people now most likely to give

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2022/10/13/digitisation-of-donations-means-young-people-now-most-likely-to-give/
- Published: 2022-10-13T09:18:49+01:00
- Author: Melanie May

**Almost half of consumers are now donating through digital channels with young 
people (18-24-year-olds) now the age group most likely to give to charity, a study
by Barclays Corporate Banking has found.**

The report – _[Giving: A new landscape](https://www.barclayscorporate.com/insights/industry-expertise/a-new-giving-landscape/)_–
suggests that nine in ten (90%) people in this age group donated to charity in some
form across the previous 12-month period, compared to an average of 80% among the
broader public.

The most popular donation method for young givers is cash on the street (31%), followed
by donations via social media platforms (24%). Over half (53%) of 18-24s and over
two fifths (44%) of 25-34-year-olds said they were donating more to charity compared
with two years ago, while the national average is 28%.

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Over the past twelve months, [Barclays](https://www.barclayscorporate.com/)’ research
shows that:

 * 87% of charities have received a donation via their website
 * 85% have received a donation via a third-party website
 * 81% have taken credit/debit card payments
 * 69% have received donations via social media

Over the next twelve months, 59% of charities are planning to make further improvements
to their digital payment methods. Of these:

 * 41% plan to improve their online donor journey
 * 25% are implementing new payment channels
 * 19% are enhancing security

Cash donations are still popular with 55% of respondents saying they make them out
of ease and convenience, however 48% of consumers are now donating through digital
channels.

As a result, three quarters of charities have noticed a significant increase in 
digital donations since before the pandemic. Similarly, a third of consumers say
they are more likely to donate if a charity accepts online transactions.

There has also been a surge in goods contributions to charity shops, food banks 
and volunteering, as some are keen to keep giving while tightening the purse strings
at the same time. Three fifths (58%) of those surveyed have given goods to charity
shops within the past 12 months, while almost half (49%) have spent money in charity
shops over the same period.

Nazreen Visram, Head of Charities at Barclays Corporate Banking, said: 

> “It’s reassuring to see the British public maintaining their support for the third
> sector and continuing to donate to their chosen causes despite economic pressures.
>  
> “The past two years have accelerated the need for digital payment methods and 
> it’s no surprise that charities are investing to keep pace. Now that the younger
> generation is most likely to donate to charitable causes, it is essential charities
> offer as many payment methods as possible, including digital options such as online
> or via contactless payments in person.”

The report_ _is based upon bespoke market research conducted for Barclays Corporate
Banking by MaruMatchbox. It covered both consumers and charities in the UK with 
2,000 adults completing an online survey focused on giving behaviour, donation levels,
and barriers to giving, in Q4 of 2021. In Q1 of 2022, 75 senior managers from charities
with a turnover of £4m and above, completed a telephone interview focused on implementing
new technologies and donor engagement methods.

 * **[Half of people more inclined to give at Christmas, despite many feeling worse off](https://fundraising.co.uk/2022/12/07/half-of-people-more-inclined-to-give-at-christmas-despite-many-feeling-worse-off/)**(
   7 December 2022)
 * **[Almost 4mn less gave to charity in November](https://fundraising.co.uk/2022/12/20/almost-4mn-less-gave-to-charity-in-november/)**(
   20 December 2022)
 * **[More work needed to encourage giving to local causes, report finds](https://fundraising.co.uk/2024/02/07/more-work-needed-to-encourage-giving-to-local-causes-report-finds/)**(
   7 February 2024)
