Many in the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector continue to face tough choices in the light of falling revenues from fundraising. The Charity Commission’s Trustee Research 2021 report has shown that about four in 10 charities reduced their services because of the pandemic, while one in seven stopped all activities. The research found that quarter of charities were forced to use reserves to keep operations going.

In more sombre news for the sector, the Charities Aid Foundation’s (CAF) World Giving Index reported that, for the first time since the Index began in 2009, the UK has fallen out of the world’s top ten for giving generosity. A result of lockdowns and changes in spending habits, the UK has dropped from 7th place in 2019 to 22nd place in 2020.

“We know that lockdowns saved lives and protected the NHS, but for the thousands of charities that rely on fundraising events, on spontaneous cash donations and on an army of volunteers, the shuttering of the economy has left a black hole in their finances estimated at more than £10 billion,” said Neil Heslop, Chief Executive of the Charities Aid Foundation.

For organisations that are planning for the coming years, there is news that will hopefully mean an upturn in fortunes. Also commissioned by the Charity Commission, the Public Trust in Charities 2021 report has shown that public trust in VCSE organisations is the highest it has been since 2014. Trust and confidence rated 6.4 out of 10 for those interviewed, up from 5.5 in 2018. In addition to this, about 60% called charities “essential” or “very important” to society, the first time in a decade that this figure has increased.

Take a look at Voscur’s fundraising pages to see how we could help your organisation make the most of your opportunities.