Unless charities change their attitude to donors, giving will not increase, Ed Vaizey MP said yesterday.

Speaking at a Conservative Party Conference fringe event on how to encourage giving by the wealthy, the minister for culture, communications and creative industries said one of the main problems lies with organisations themselves.

He said: “Too many organisations think the conversation with the donor ends when the cheque is written. They have to understand it is not grubby to ask for money but that it is a massive opportunity to build relationships. Donors bring a hell of a lot more to the table than just money.

“Not many chief executives realise they are the chief fundraiser. If you, as a chief executive, can’t be bothered to engage with donors why should anyone bother to write you a cheque?”

He also said that more could be done to ensure donors are thanked and engaged properly with the work of the charity. Referring to his own personal experiences of donating he highlighted how he has rarely been thanked or provided with information about the work his money has helped fund.

“When I have supported many charities in the past they have not engaged me or thanked me. It’s about being seen in the community, taking down the walls and letting people in. People who want to give money need to feel involved and have a stake in organisation.”

And while he accepted there is more the government could do to help create a culture of giving such as celebrating people who give money and simplifying gift aid, he felt it was taking steps in the right direction. Referring in particular to the new £100m Catalyst fund aimed at helping cultural organisations diversify their incomes streams and access more funding from private sources, he said: “We have put our money where our mouth is with Catalyst, which is effectively a matched-giving programme.

“We will put in place the ecology that will make it easier to raise money but you have to do your bit too.”