Small minority responsible for majority of money and time given to charities, says CAF

Howard Lake | 13 September 2013 | News

Charities in Britain receive the majority of their donations and volunteer time from a small number of people, according to a survey for Charities Aid Foundation.

• Just 9% of people give 66% of all the time and money donated to charities, with 24% of the population doing "little or nothing for charity".
   
• The remaining 67% of people account for the remaining 34% of charitable activity.

CAF has published the findings in a report, Britain's Civic Core: Who are the people powering Britain’s charities? In its analysis of the research, it describes these groups as the 'Civic Core', 'Middle Ground', and 'Zero Givers'.

The report is published ahead of the party conference season and forms the basis of CAF's presence and events at the three main party conferences. It is intended "to spark a debate about ways to make Britain a more generous society".

John Low, Chief Executive of the Charities Aid Foundation, said: "Britain is one of the most charitable countries in the world, yet this research shows a stark divide in society between those who do the most for good causes and those who do little if anything at all.

"It is a worrying fact that nearly one in four people do very little if anything to support charities which are at the forefront of civil society. Charities, Government and businesses can all encourage people to discover how rewarding it is to support the causes we all care about."

The survey

The report is based on a survey by polling organisation ComRes. It surveyed 2,027 adults in Great Britain between 31 July 31 and 1 August 2013. Data were weighted to be representative of all UK adults aged 18+.

It found clear differences in attitudes between the 'Civic Core' and the 'Zero Givers'. For example, 51% of the most charitable group said most of their friends are involved in social causes, compared with just 7% of 'Zero Givers'. Also, 91% of the most charitable group said it is important that people vote, compared with 73% of 'Zero Givers'.

Who is in the Civic Core?

The research found that people in the “Civic Core” are more likely to be:

• women than other groups (60% compared to an average of 51%)
   
• living in their own home
   
• most likely to have professional or managerial jobs.

One in three members of the most charitable group are over 65 (an average of 33%), more than in any other group in society.

About Howard Lake
Howard Lake is consultant editor of UK Fundraising. He founded the site in 1994 and successfully sold it in 2022. As director of Giving X Ltd he is exploring growing giving on a massive scale. He is the founder of Fundraising Camp and co-founder of GoodJobs.