Public overestimates fundraising costs three-fold

Fundraising | Celina Ribeiro | 11 Jul 2011

The public grossly overestimate the amount of money charities spend on fundraising, according to research released today by Charities Aid Foundation.

A survey of more than 1,000 people found that on average they imagine it costs 42p to raise £1. In reality, according to CAF’s analysis of charity accounts, it generally costs charities around 12p, less than a third of public estimates.

When asked what they believe to be a reasonable proportion for charities to spend on fundraising, those surveyed came up with an average of 26p per pound.

Richard Harrison, director of research at CAF, said, “This proves that charities are extremely efficient and effective at fundraising, and spend less than a third than we assume they do.”

Directory: Charities Aid Foundation
Who's Who: Richard Harrison

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