Charities facing £12.4bn shortfall

19 June 2020
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New findings from the Chartered Institute on the impact of coronavirus on the charity sector.

The Chartered Institute of Fundraising and Charity Finance Group (CFG) say today that charities are facing a huge predicted loss to their income as they continue to grapple with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and continued social distancing measures.

The analysis comes following the publication today of the results of a recent survey of charities reporting financial loss and reforecasting of income for the year ahead. On average, respondents to that survey reported that they were expecting a reduction of 24% to their total income for the year, which would mean a £12.4bn loss of income if the average was applied to the sector as a whole.

The results of the survey, carried out by IoF, CFG, NCVO, and supported by PwC found that during lockdown (between 23 March – 12 May 2020):

When looking at the year ahead, charities:

Charities are telling us that they are planning for a substantial decline to their incomes for the year ahead, at a time when the need for their services has never been more acute.  We calculate that drop to be in the region of £12bn.  These survey results are strongly indicative of the scale of loss being suffered and is consistent with what our members and other data points are also telling us. 

I cannot stress enough however, that this isn’t about the survival of the institution of charity or individual charities, but the devastating impact that this will have on those who rely on the services charities provide.  From providing food to the most disadvantaged in our society, to supporting people through cancer, if charities are not there to meet the need, someone will have to pick up that work or that need will go unmet. It’s not about us it’s about them.

Failing to invest in us now will be false economy and will let those most marginalised and disadvantaged shoulder the greatest fall out from this crisis.

Caron Bradshaw, Chief Executive at the Charity Finance Group

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