Public irritation with fundraisers declines, says survey

21 Oct 2016 News

The number of people reporting that intrusive fundraising stops them from giving to charity has fallen by ten percentage points over an 18-month period, according to latest data from nfpSynergy. 

In January 2015 45 per cent of respondents to the research consultancy’s survey said that “fundraisers being too persistent” was a barrier to giving. In July 2016 this had fallen to 35 per cent. 

The number of people saying that “intrusive” fundraising methods deterred them from giving also fell from 36 per cent to 28 per cent over the same period.

Joe Saxton, founder of nfpSynergy, put the drop down to the shift in fundraising methods since the Olive Cooke scandal last summer. 

He said: “The most likely reason for this is that far less mass fundraising is now taking place, partly due to the demise of so many outsourced fundraising agencies, and partly because charities are being far more cautious with the activities they carry out. 

“Only time will tell what the impact on funds raised by charities will be. It’s worth remembering that this drop in irritation comes before any impact of the new Fundraising Regulator or any changes in Codes of Practice.”

‘Charities are learning the lessons’ 

The Institute of Fundraising said that the findings were positive news for fundraisers. 

Ceri Edwards, director of policy and communications at the IoF, said: “This is very positive news and shows charities are continuing to act on the lessons of last year.

“There is more to do, but this poll - showing a big improvement in the public’s experience - is testament to the hard work fundraisers and trustees have been doing to ensure their charitable values are reflected in the way they are fundraising. We expect that this is also a result of the strengthening of standards following major changes to the Code of Fundraising Practice last year. 

“Without fundraisers and the generous support of the public, the charity sector would not be able to make the amazing difference we see in our communities every day, connecting donors to the causes they really care about.”

Concerns about admin costs going down

The survey results also showed that while admin costs are still the biggest barrier to giving, concerns about this area have declined over the past five years. 

In July 2012, 61 per cent said ‘too little money going to the cause” was a barrier, which was down to 54 per cent in July 2016. 

Over the same period concern about salaries has gone from 47 per cent to 43 per cent. 

The Charity Awareness monitor surveyed 1,000 adults over 16 in July 2016. 


 

More on