Amount donated by the public falls for first time in five years

The total amount donated by the British public to charities has fallen for the first time in five years.

Research by the Charities Aid Foundation has found that an estimated £1.4bn less was donated last year.

Its UK Giving Report has found that £14bn was donated last year, compared to £15.4bn in 2024. This is a drop of almost 10%.

A key factor is a decline in disposable household income, with most than one in five people saying they do not donate as they cannot afford it. This trend is the same across all demographics.

While the number of people giving has been in decline over the last decade this is the first fall in five years in the total amount given to good causes.

In 2016 just under seven in ten Brits gave to charity but last year the proportion was just over half. CAF warns that there are around six million fewer people giving to good causes over this period.

Among those who didn’t donate, almost three in ten “suggested they weren’t interested in charities”, found CAF. This rises to just under half among higher and additional rate taxpayers.

The main motivation for giving among donors is emotional, often due to a personal connection or support for a cause, cited by almost four in five. Just over half say they want to support their community or make a difference to people’s lives.

“Giving falling by nearly 10% in a year will be a significant concern for charities up and down the country who are providing vital services to people in need,” said CAF managing director Mark Greer.

“We have been relying on a declining number of dedicated donors, but the reality of this trend has begun to bite.

“We know that when people are engaged with charities, they support them generously and for many they want to be part of something greater than themselves.”

He added :“To support our communities, we need a collaborative effort to revive the culture of giving across the country. This includes exploring ways we can encourage donations from those that can afford to give, and policy action from the Government to unlock greater giving.”