One in five more likely to support charities since Covid, survey reveals

A survey has revealed that more than a fifth of people are more likely to support charities since the Covid pandemic.

It found that 21% of people are more interested in supporting good causes following the health crisis. A similar proportion (19%) say they want to leave the world a better place.

The findings have emerged in a survey of 2,000 Brits by legacy giving consortium Remember A Charity, which also found that people are now more open to talking about mortality and planning for the future, compared to before the pandemic.

More than a quarter say they are more likely to discuss their final wishes with their family. Women are more likely to have such conversations (29%), compared to men (24%). One in five 921%) say they see death “as less of a taboo topic”.

The survey’s findings around changing attitudes to death and good causes will help charity legacy giving teams as they look to encourage more people to leave a gift to a charity in their will, said the consortium.

“It’s great to see growing appetite for legacy giving, particularly when it’s become such a vital income stream for so many charities,” said Remember a Charity director Lucinda Frostick.

“What’s more, with people becoming more comfortable discussing their final wishes and planning for the future, this knowledge makes it even easier for charities, solicitors and will-writers to start those crucial legacy giving conversations."

The survey also found that the cost-of-living crisis is encouraging more to leave gift in their will. It found that one in eight people are more likely to do this due to the economic situation. The same proportion said writing or updating a Will is “higher on their agenda”.

Frostick added: “People’s attitudes have changed since covid and, despite the challenges of the economic environment, it seems that the nation is even more driven to make a positive impact on the world we leave behind.”

The survey also found that more than half (58%) are unaware that leaving a legacy give could reduce the amount of inheritance tax families pay.

Housing key to legacy giving

Separate research released in January found that legacy gifting pledges for homelessness and housing charities increased by 75% last year.

This analysis by will writing firm Farewill found that legacy pledges for all good causes were up by 8.7% during 2022. It also found that the cost-of-living crisis and the Covid pandemic had contributed to an increase in legacy giving.

However, the NCVO and consultancy Legacy Foresight have warned that the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on the housing market could see a reduction in legacy income due to a fall in the value of estates.

Legacy Foresight is predicting that a house price fall of 14% by 2024 could trigger a 3% slump in the value of bequests.