economy
The Guardian view on falling donations to charity: rising living costs are part of the problem, but not all of it
Lack of confidence in the voluntary sector seems linked to a more general fraying of social bonds
TL;DR
- Charities are facing a downward trend in donations, with a record drop recorded in the past year.
- Overseas aid charities and disaster appeals are among the worst affected by the decline in giving.
- While the cost of living is a factor, many wealthier individuals are reportedly not donating due to lack of interest.
- The Charities Aid Foundation is calling for a "culture of giving" revival and government support for the sector.
- Increased skepticism and distrust towards charities, potentially linked to broader social issues, are also contributing factors.
- Ministers are aware of the problems and have proposed strategies, but a simple administrative fix is unlikely; an economic upturn and new fundraising methods are needed.