Demand grows for sector’s services
A new report has found that the majority of charities have seen increased demand for their services over the last 12 months.
The 2015 Managing in the New Normal survey, published on 25 March by the Charity Finance Group, Institute of Fundraising and professional services specialist PwC, found that 70 per cent of respondents had experienced higher demand, with the same number expecting increased demand over the next 12 months.
However, 28 per cent of charities said they did not have sufficient resources to meet rising demand for their services, up from 16 per cent in 2014.
More than 400 charities responded to the 2015 survey, with the majority identifying public funding cuts as the most important challenge facing the sector. Other findings included:
- 75 per cent of respondents planned to explore new fundraising options in the next 12 months
- charities were also seeking to diversify income streams, with 54 per cent saying they planned to seek different sources of income
- 49 per cent intend to step up fundraising in areas they already focus on and 41 per cent plan to start fundraising in new areas over the next 12 months
- more than half (57 per cent) reported increased staffing levels in the past 12 months, up from last year and more than 60 per cent said the mood and morale of staff was either “optimistic” or “energised”
- respondents’ top priorities for the new government after the May general election were ensuring the sustainability of the sector, promoting charitable giving and protecting the sector’s independence.
Caron Bradshaw, chief executive of Charity Finance Group, said: “The operating environment for charities continues to be tough. But this year’s survey shows that the sector has responded to these challenges with its traditional resilience and innovation.
“Charities have been taking hard decisions in order to meet rising demand whilst trying to generate new sources of income. If the sector is to thrive and grow in the future, policy makers need to create an enabling environment.
“Government, regulators and charities need to come together to put in place the foundations to build a more resilient, independent and sustainable sector over the coming years.”
The positive picture emerging from the research underlines the willingness for charities to innovate and develop in an economic climate that remains challenging. In this evolving environment, access to expert professional advice from specialists in the charity sector, like Moore Thompson, can make a real difference to financial stability. For more information about how we can help, please contact us.