New research has found that high workloads and a lack of pay rises are among the key factors damaging charity workers’ wellbeing.
Published today in Fundraising Magazine, findings from the Charity Well survey conducted earlier this year include a decline in employees’ financial wellbeing and those with “achievable” workloads.
Charity senior leader and wellbeing specialist Claire Warner’s study, which ran from January to March and received 678 responses, also highlighted concerns around charities’ working cultures.
Unachievable workloads
The 2019 edition of Warner’s research had focused solely on fundraisers and found that 53% of respondents had felt their workload was achievable.
In the 2025 edition, which covers all charity roles, the figure reduced to 36%, while 26% of respondents said they didn’t have access to the things they needed to do their job well.
Moreover, 42% of respondents said that they were having to work with systems and processes that did not support getting their work done effectively.
Poor pay
The research found that financial wellbeing among respondents also declined compared to 2019.
Some 46% of respondents this year disagreed with the statement: “I am able to live on the salary I’m paid without regular worry or stress.”
Meanwhile, the amount of respondents who felt that their employer offered fair pay and conditions for the role dropped from 64% to 54%.
Respondents also commented on a lack of pay rises across the sector, with many saying entry and mid-level role salaries had remained the same over the past decade, despite the rise in the cost of living during this period.
Additional responses called for better pension schemes, loans for work travel, salary transparency, benchmarking and annual pay increases.
Culture and inclusion
The research found that 69% of respondents said that the culture within their organisation felt supportive, collaborative and positive.
However, 25% did not believe that their organisation genuinely prioritised colleague health and wellbeing within its culture, and 62% were proud to work for their current employer organisation, a sharp decline from 87% in 2019.
Meanwhile, of the respondents who gave detail in this area, 66% described positive work environments while 25% referenced negative cultures.
Many respondents described a “supportive” working environment but the word “toxic” was used 47 times by respondents.
Meanwhile, 74% of respondents said that their organisation felt inclusive and welcoming, and that opportunities were provided equally, irrespective of background or identity.
The number of workers that reported experiencing or witnessing workplace bullying decreased from 44% in the 2019 edition of the report to 27% in the 2025 edition.
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