# Almost two-thirds of people want to see more government funding for charities, finds survey

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2024/09/16/almost-two-thirds-of-people-want-to-see-more-government-funding-for-charities-finds-survey/
- Published: 2024-09-16T15:13:52+01:00
- Author: Melanie May

**In the run-up to the Autumn Budget, almost two-thirds of people (64%) across the
political spectrum want to see more funding from the government for charities, a
survey has found.**

[Eden Stanley](https://edenstanley.co.uk/) conducted an online survey with 3,000
people in the UK last month. More than half said they believe that charities supporting
mental health (55%), homelessness (55%) and hospitals and hospices (52%) should 
be prioritised for public funding. Those aged 18-24 also want to see more support
for charities that promote human rights in the UK (48%), while those over 65 would
like to see war veterans made a priority (49%).

Eden Stanley’s research also found that 32% of people say the ongoing cost-of-living
crisis has caused them to donate less to charity. However, almost half of people(
47%) now donate over £50 – up from 36% in September 2021. 

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The survey also found that 22% of people feel more positive about their personal
economic outlook, but that more, 35%, feel worse.  29% feel more optimistic about
society as a whole, compared with almost a third (32%) who feel less hopeful about
the future.  Four in ten (40%) also think the UK feels less united than it did at
the beginning of the summer.

Joe Barrell, Founder and Principal of Eden Stanley, said:

> ** **“We haven’t seen the wave of optimism which Starmer will have hoped for since
> the change of government. People’s personal economic situations remain challenging,
> and the riots this summer will have compounded a feeling of disunity in the country.
> The government’s emphasis on the tough road ahead could also be dampening public
> sentiment.
>  
> “That said, it’s by no means all doom and gloom for charities. Our data shows 
> that they have strong public support across age groups and the political spectrum,
> with many people now donating more money than they were a few years ago.
>  
> “There is clearly appetite across the country for increased support and funding
> for the third sector and this presents an opportunity for charities to grow their
> supporter bases, play a more prominent role in the public discourse on key issues,
> and to make the case for more investment from government.  To achieve this, they
> need to understand who their target audiences are and how to inspire and motivate
> these people to engage – whether it’s through offering a sense of community, the
> chance for supporters to express their values or the ability to make a visible,
> immediate difference to a cause which has affected them.”

 * **[Tool shows charities which funders have backed organisations like theirs](https://fundraising.co.uk/2026/08/12/tool-shows-charities-which-funders-have-backed-organisations-like-theirs/)**(
   12 August 2026)
 * **[Shakespeare's Globe Theatre accepts online donations](https://fundraising.co.uk/1995/09/11/shakespeare039s-globe-theatre-accepts-online-donations/)**(
   11 September 1995)
 * **[Survey of charities' use of the Internet](https://fundraising.co.uk/1996/07/04/survey-charities039-use-internet/)**(
   4 July 1996)