IoF: New findings on the impact of coronavirus on the charity sector

Charities are facing a £12.4bn shortfall in income for the year due to impact of coronavirus, reports The Institute of Fundraising (IoF).

The Institute of Fundraising writes:

The Chartered Institute of Fundraising (IoF) 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):

  • Charities received 29% less income than they had budgeted for
  • 84% of charities reported a decrease or a significant decrease in their total income
  • 92% of charities reported a fall in trading income during the lockdown with just 5% reporting that income from trading had increased

When looking at the year ahead, charities:

  • Expect to see their total income significantly reduced, with their total income on average 24% lower than previously forecasted
  • Are planning on an average fall of 57% on trading income
  • Have revised their voluntary income for the year down by an average 42%

Peter Lewis, chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Fundraising, said:

“This new research shows that the impact of coronavirus is going to have a hugely significant impact on charity finances for the year ahead. With social distancing remaining in place for the foreseeable future, and an exceptionally difficult time ahead for the wider economy, the fact that the charities who responded to the survey are planning for a loss of almost a quarter of their total income is extremely worrying.

“The government urgently needs to review and enhance its emergency support for charities, with a further bespoke package of support, an extension to the Job Retention Scheme that specifically supporting those charitable activities which are still unable to take place, or both.”

Caron Bradshaw, chief executive at the Charity Finance Group, said

“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.”

The survey report is available here.

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