Charities are the ‘most trusted British institution’ over faith and religious groups, businesses, politicians and the mainstream media, a survey has found.

While three in four people have “moderate or high trust” in charities, this dips to just over two in five in regard to faith and religious groups.

Just under two in five have similar faith in information from corporations and the UK government, while just over one in three trust the mainstream media and the proportion is less than one in four for political parties.

The findings have been published by online fundraising platform Enthuse in its latest Donor Pulse report.

This also found that the mot trusted source of news or information about good causes is from charities themselves.

More than three in four trust direct information from charities, compared to only three in five trusting the mainstream media and only around a half have faith in information about good causes from celebrities. Around two in five trust news about good causes they see on social media.

Donors also have more trust in charities’ websites as a method of giving to good causes. More than half said they prefer to donate directly through a charity’s website, which is four times higher than those preferring consumer giving platforms. Just one in ten prefer donating through crowdfunders and one in 20 prefer giving through social media.

Giving remains stable

Enthuse’s survey also found that giving has remained stable over the last year, with three quarters saying they donated to charity over the last three months, a similar proportion to last year. The same proportion also say they are “very or somewhat likely” to give over the next three months.

Almost half say they have given to at least two good causes over the last three months Younger generations are particular generous in this regard, with more than half of those under 44 giving to multiple good causes over this period, compared to just over two in five among those aged 45 and above.

“Despite a whole host of economic challenges in recent years, the data suggests that many people are actually starting to feel better off,” said Enthuse founder and chief executive Chester Mojay-Sinclarre.

“Combine that with the fact that giving has been remarkably consistent, not just month to month, but year on year, and that should give charities confidence that people will continue to donate.

“The sector should also take strength from the fact that the public views their work as essential, which is testament to the services they provide.”

He added: “People only give to causes if they trust them, so it’s great to see that charities are the most trusted British institution - and by some distance too.

“Good causes should be encouraged that the public most trusts information about charities when it comes directly from them. Building and improving your direct communication channels and facilitating donations through your website has never been more important.”

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