Third sector think tank NfpSynergy has launched a new nationwide survey to establish exactly what black and minority ethnic groups think about charitable causes and giving.

The twice yearly monitor will specifically explore the shifting attitudes and behaviour towards charities of the UK’s BME community. The monitor will survey a representative sample of 800 18-75 year old UK residents. They will be drawn from Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Caribbean, African and Chinese backgrounds. The inclusion of representatives from European minority groups is still under discussion.

NfpySynergy’s joint managing director Chris Greenwood said the new monitor would address the fear that the sector is not serving BME audiences, who are often the most in need and may themselves contribute to, and support, the work of the third sector.

“We know that a variety of opinions exist as to how adequately charities and other NGOs represent and serve these populations. Many suspect that we may well be comprised of overly white, middle-class institutions, reflected both in terms of those working for us, and audiences we reach,” Greenwood added. “Moreover, there is increasing scrutiny of the performance and effectiveness of charities.”

He said the development of the Ethnic Minorities Charity Engagement Monitor was the think tank’s way of joining the debate and lending it data from across the sector.

Charities interested in signing up to the monitor can find more information by visiting: www.nfpsynergy.net