# Giving at lowest level since September 21, survey finds

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2023/03/30/giving-at-lowest-level-since-september-21-survey-finds/
- Published: 2023-03-30T09:54:37+01:00
- Author: Melanie May

**Donations have declined over the past three months to reach their lowest level
since September 2021, according to Enthuse’s Donor Pulse survey.**

In looking at the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on donations and fundraising,
the latest edition of the quarterly [Donor Pulse report](https://enthuse.com/insights/donor-pulse-report-spring-2023)
found that 71% of the 2,027 members of the public questioned said they donated to
charity in the last quarter, down from 75% three months ago and 76% this time last
year. This is the lowest level of charitable giving in the UK since September 2021.

#### Cost of giving

Heating and eating remain the biggest concerns for the public with energy prices(
73%) and food costs (70%) the two biggest reasons why people feel worse off. This
is followed by rent/mortgage costs, highlighted as a concern for 28%.

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Despite these concerns, for households with an income above £60,000, donations have
stayed at the same levels, with 82% having given in the last three months. 78% of
households earning £40,000 – £60,000 a year said they had donated in the last three
months, along with 72% of those in the £20,000 – £40,000 bracket, and 57% of households
on £20,000 or less.

#### Positive signs

The number of people feeling worse off dropped four percentage points to 59% in 
the last three months. This is the second quarter in a row this number has dropped.
And, 70% of the public are planning to donate in the next three months, rising to
75% for Gen Z.

In addition, the number of people who say they are very likely to give in the next
three months has risen to 35% – the highest since last summer. 84% of those who 
have given in the last three months plan to give over this coming quarter.

Despite pressures at home, the UK also found a way to support those in need overseas.
One in five people have already donated to appeals helping the Turkey-Syria earthquake
and a further 28% are planning to donate to the humanitarian disaster.

Commenting on the research, Chester Mojay-Sinclare, Enthuse Founder and CEO, said:

> “When it comes to the cost of giving crisis, our research can be divided into 
> three really clear chapters; the past, present and future. You can’t ignore the
> fact that there has been a drop in donations these past three months as people
> have found it more difficult to support charities financially.
>  
> “However, if we look at what the public is telling us, there are encouraging signs
> appearing today, with fewer people saying they feel worse off than six months 
> ago and more people intending to give. If you pair this with the public’s appetite
> to take part in fundraising events, then there’s positives to take forward for
> the rest of the year.”

#### Events

The Donor Pulse also questioned people on fundraising events, and found that 44%
of people want to get involved this year. Gen Z (61%) and Millennials (60%) are 
the most keen to take part. In addition:

 * One in six people say they want to take part in long distance events, such as
   marathons and half marathons
 * 45% say they are interested in exercise challenges that contribute to health 
   goals
 * 30% want to take part in large group events, such as fun runs and walks
 * Smaller activities with friends or colleagues such as bake offs or pub quizzes
   are also popular (47%)
 * Distance runners who see support from celebrities are more likely to donate (
   39%), talk about the charity (39%) and fundraise (32%)
 * Overall, 22% say they’re more likely to donate to a cause if they see a well-
   known personality is involved with the charity

Potential barriers to participation include fitness and friends. Fitness is a barrier
for all age groups, 55% said they wouldn’t take part in a distance event because
of this. About one in ten (9%) said that if none of their friends run, cycle or 
swim it would stop them from getting involved. This is doubly important to Gen Z
where that rises to 21%.