Public trusts major charities

Finance | 1 Dec 2005

Recent research has revealed that 90 per cent of people believe that neither they nor their friends and family have ever received help from charities, when in reality three quarters had.

The Charity Commission survey also found that 88 per cent of people believe the main factor in their predisposition to trust charities is an inherent belief that the charity is well managed and is spending its money well. However, less favourable perceptions include the 84 per cent of respondents who said they were more likely to trust a charity they had heard of and the 44 per cent who would trust a big charity over a small one.

Andrew Hind (pictured), chief executive of the Charity Commission, said: "It's good news for charities that so many people inherently believe that charities are well managed. But this basic level of trust seems to be based on a more limited understanding of the issues than we'd previously expected. This adds up to another challenge to charities, and the Commission, to better explain the role of the sector."

Meanwhile, acevo has published the findings of an inquiry into trust in charities that reveal most members believe a few scandals involving major charities would shatter trust in the sector. One in five members believe the public supports competitive rates of pay for charity leaders, and one in 10 thinks a chief executive can leave issues of public trust to their trustees.

The report exposes many of the myths surrounding trust in the sector, according to acevo. "Public trust in the sector is considerable and rests on a belief in the motives for good of those who work in the sector. It is not based on a full understanding of the issues facing third sector organisations, and in particular members of the public may demand unrealistically high standards of its leaders."

Directory: Charity Commission
Who's Who: Andrew Hind

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