# Half of people want charities to campaign on political issues, report shows

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2023/09/29/half-of-people-want-charities-to-campaign-on-political-issues-report-shows/
- Published: 2023-09-29T08:30:00+01:00
- Author: Melanie May

**Half of people (51%) say they want charities to campaign on political issues, 
according to the latest research from Enthuse.**

This is greater among younger generations – 64% of under 45s support charity political
involvement while 61% of over 45s don’t. 

The latest edition of the quarterly [Donor Pulse research](https://enthuse.com/insights/donor-pulse-report-autumn-2023/)
also shows that charities that do get involved in the political arena and receive
criticism as a result, also receive donations in support, particularly from younger
people. In the last six months, one in five (18%) people overall have taken part
in this ‘inverse giving’ but nearly two in five (37%) of 18-24 year olds.

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The research also shows that under 45s are more likely to support LGBTQIA+, ethnic
minority, and migrant causes. 

#### Trust levels

Overall, 6 out of 10 (59%) people say that they believe charitable organisations
are the most effective at standing up for those in disadvantaged circumstances –
more than double those who said central or local government (28%).

The average trust score in charities is at 6.94/10, with nearly half (45%) scoring
their trust between 8 and 10, and two thirds (67%) believing the government should
provide more funding to good causes.

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

> “In the last few weeks, there’s been debate about the extent to which charities
> should involve themselves in politics. Particularly as a general election edges
> closer and environmental issues hit the headlines. The research tells us that 
> the public is split down the middle on charities interjecting, although it’s worth
> noting that younger people are more likely to support charities engaging in political
> discourse. They’re also more likely to donate to good causes that receive criticism
> for speaking on politically charged issues – something for charities to be aware
> of.
>  
> “The encouraging news for causes is that there is a healthy level of trust in 
> their work and they’re seen as the best people to help those in need. That suggests
> that their role in society is understood and appreciated. When it comes to whether
> a charity should get involved in politics or not, the data tells us that they 
> will receive some support for campaigning on issues that are relevant to their
> cause.”

![Enthuse chart. Sept 2023](https://wfay6x.infiniteuploads.cloud/2023/09/Figure-
23@3x.png)

#### Cost of giving

The number of people feeling worse off is below 50% for the first time in a year.
According to Enthuse, under 45s are improving more quickly, with 27% feeling better
off and 44% feeling worse off. 

Food prices are the leading concern, followed by energy prices, while this quarter
has seen a rise in concerns over mortgage and rent payments – up eight percentage
points to 37% of people. The prospect of a recession is now a concern for one in
five (20%) and job security for around one in six people (16%).

However, 71% still plan to donate to charity in the next quarter and 86% of those
who have given in the last three months plan to give again over the coming quarter.