Hurd 'frustrated' at lack of giving to small charities

10 Jun 2014 News

Nick Hurd, minister for civil society, has said he wants to see more initiatives to help people donate to small charities. 

Nick Hurd, minister for civil society

Nick Hurd, minister for civil society, has said he wants to see more initiatives to help people donate to small charities. 

Speaking at the House of Commons during a launch of a parliamentary report into growing charitable giving, Hurd said that it was "frustrating" that while the public is split 50/50 on wanting to donate to either "big brand" charities, or small charities, only 1 per cent of charitable funds go to small and local charities.

“What can we do to help people do what they say they want to do and connect people with what is happening on their doorsteps,” Hurd said.

He said many people had no idea what was happening in their local area, saying initiatives such as Localgiving.com could help. 

Hurd said it was essential to connect people with the “joy of giving”, and that the happiest people in society gave back.

“I’ve been blown away by what I’ve seen on National Citizen Service,” he said. “It’s electric when young people realise social action can be part of what I am and my lifestyle.”

He focused on a number of ways to support more people giving time and money.

He highlighted technology saying it was a key way to mobilise, connect, and even sometimes upset people. But he said the charity sector hadn’t quite got to grips with it yet.

“There is a role to play in helping that as it can change everything and put giving into people’s lives. Technology is our friend.”

Hurd also spoke about the role of business. “It is fundamental that giving flows through the workplace,” he said. “A change is happening and businesses are having to think different about how it earns trust which has become the buzz word of 2014.

“Consumers are careful about who they do business with and employees want to be part of an organisation they are proud of – such as a business which supports them getting involved in their community.”

Baroness Tyler of Enfield, co-chair of the Growing Giving Inquiry, also spoke about the role of business, saying there should be tax incentives for employers who match employee donations to charity.

The Growing Giving Inquiry was chaired by David Blunkett, the Labour MP for Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough, Andrew Percy, the Conservative MP for Brigg and Goole, and Liberal Democrat peer Baroness Tyler of Enfield.

It looked at the long-term decline in proportion of households contributing to charity and how to change this.

The final report of the inquiry, entitled Creating an Age of Giving, released this week, makes a number of recommendations on increasing charitable giving.