Charities gird their loins to ride out the cost of living crisis

[THE COST OF LIVING CRISIS is taking a significant toll on the finances of people across all walks of life. Charitable donations have suffered a significant effect, with 78% of those who are struggling financially having reduced or halted their giving.

The effect of the reduction in donations is analysed by the latest Donor Pulse, the quarterly report from Enthuse, the fundraising, donations and events registration platform, which looks at the public’s changing attitudes to charities and giving. Trusted by thousands of charities in the UK and beyond, the report identifies key insights to help charities to develop a successful plan for the next quarter.

The report finds that the pressure on people’s disposable income is continuing to grow and it is going to carry on having an impact on the amount they are able to donate, more than their desire to donate. The solution is, the report finds, for charities to focus on what they can control to help keep donation levels high.

In his foreword, Enthuse founder Chester Mojay-Sinclare said: “Active donors continue to make up the bulk of those who are likely to donate, with 88% of recent donors planning to give again. For those who have not donated in the last quarter, 30% intend to donate in the next three months. In general this figure had been steadily increasing over the past few editions of this report – but this is a drop of 5% on the last quarter. It is another data point that indicates the cost of living is starting to bite on donors.”

A series of graphics illustrate how, despite the general recovery in donations in the months following the pandemic – led to an extent by donations to Ukraine – the squeeze on living standards is likely to be reflected in reductions in donating, whether that be more targeted giving, smaller donations or a cessation in giving altogether by some donors. The highest-hit segment of giving was that of regular donations, upon which the charity sector depends.

The conclusion of the report is that: “The last three months have seen indications that the cost of living is starting to affect donors. Although overall giving has held up well, nearly three out of five people are feeling worse off than they were at the start of the year, and 55% are saying it’s harder to donate. When looking at people who are worse off, while only a few have stopped donating, 61% of them are already being more selective with their donations, giving less per donation or making fewer donations.” q

[CEREBRA IS DEDICATED to helping families who have a child with a brain condition discover a better life together. They work with families, academics and practitioners to fund life-changing research and empower lives.

Since 2001 the charity has been able to help some 50,000 children and their families find a better life together

They fund life-changing research. A premature baby is twice as likely to develop a life-changing brain condition and with 60,000 babies being born prematurely in the UK each year, their aim is simple – to reduce this. So far the charity’s research has contributed to a fall in premature births to the extent that 500 fewer babies are being born too soon each year, protecting mother and baby from harm.

Cerebra help children to fulfil their greatest potential without barriers to their complete participation in family life and society, offering solutions and advice to help these children enjoy normal activities such as learning and playing. q

[SINCE 1976 Devon Horse and Pony Sanctuary have rescued, rehabilitated and cared for many horses, ponies and donkeys – including local Dartmoor ponies. Since 1993 they have also taken in, when asked, retired police horses from the Metropolitan Police or the Avon and Somerset force. Those horses have come to the end of their working lives for one reason or another and the sanctuary provides them with a safe and ‘forever’ future.

The police don’t have the resources to look after their retired horses, so all funds to keep those animals have to be raised by supporters of Devon Horse and Pony Sanctuary. They are away from the stresses of police life in a wonderful location on the edge of Dartmoor.

Every animal can give something back to help alleviate the stresses of life, so in reality helping them can also help us.

Said the sanctuary’s Chris Hills: “This amazing place provides a haven of tranquillity, and we welcome visitors who may also need a little help and support to come and enjoy time with our horses and ponies.

“Your legacy gift will help us to give the very best care and attention to our rescued horses, ponies and donkeys, both in the physical and emotional sense. We would like more people in need to spend time with these amazing animals and benefit as we and our amazing band of volunteers do every day and gain a little respite from the rigours of daily life.” q • For further information visit www.dhaps.org.uk.

[OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS Hope Rescue in South Wales have consistently faced extraordinarily high vet bills due to the number of very poorly dogs entering their care, many of which require ongoing investigations, treatments and surgeries.

Unfortunately, this is a pattern likely to continue and the charity’s outgoings are set to rise due to the constant influx of abandoned and stray dogs coming through their doors – as well as trying their hardest to help owners who can no longer care for their dogs. Not to mention the increasingly high numbers of dogs seized from illegal and low welfare breeders.

Hope’s initial fundraising appeals often only cover a fraction of the total costs incurred in nursing dogs through to recovery. Ensuring each individual dog gets the very best vet treatment – which is often not the cheapest option – will always remain a priority for the team at Hope.

Supporting this charity through promoting gifts in wills will help them to plan and will be the reason they can continue to say ‘yes’ to vulnerable dogs and their owners. q • Find out more about Hope Rescue at www.hoperescue.org.uk or get in touch enquiries@hoperescue.org.uk