Tag: Pro Bono Economics

Signs of increasing optimism among charities but volunteer concerns grow, survey finds

Stuart Mitchell

A major new survey of charities has identified growing optimism in the sector following months of financial hardship associated with the cost of living crisis – but there is rising concern about dwindling volunteer numbers leaving charities in a precarious position. The latest VCSE Sector Barometer, a quarterly survey conducted by Pro Bono Economics and Nottingham Trent University’s National VCSE Data and Insights Observatory, found an increasing expectation among charities that their financial position will improve, alongside a marked reduction in concern about energy costs. It means that for the…

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Charities struggling with energy bill hikes of 50% and more amid soaring demand, survey finds

Stuart Mitchell

A major new survey of charities has revealed the impact of the energy crisis on the sector – with many organisations experiencing a rise in their bills of 50% and more – amid calls for the government to act as part of a review due to be published in the new year. The survey, conducted by Pro Bono Economics and Nottingham Trent University’s National VCSE Data and Insights Observatory, found that 40% of charities across the UK are having to cope with rising gas and electricity bills. At the same…

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Law Family Commission on Civil Society report says FCA should make philanthropy advice training mandatory for financial advisors

Stuart Mitchell

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) should make philanthropy advice training mandatory for financial advisors and introduce regulation to ensure it is discussed with clients, according to a report. New research for the Law Family Commission on Civil Society, carried out by Pro Bono Economics, has called on the FCA to act to improve “the quality and the quantity of financial advice and guidance on philanthropy” in the UK, making four key recommendations. Currently, philanthropy in the UK is worth close to £20 billion annually, but there is an opportunity to…

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Average charity donation of £20 a month will be ‘worth less than £15 by 2024’, study finds

Stuart Mitchell

Monthly charity donations of £20 started in 2017 will be worth just £14.90 by 2024 due to inflation, according to projections.  New analysis by Pro Bono Economics (PBE) and the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) also estimates that the £5.7 billion of total donations made to charities in the first six months of 2022 will be worth £500 million less by the end of the year, a reduction of 8.5%.  The falling value of donations due to inflation, which is forecast by the Bank of England to peak at 13% later…

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Major whole-sector survey set to capture impact of cost of living crisis on charities

Stuart Mitchell

Charity sector bodies are joining together to launch one of the biggest surveys of the social sector in years. Pro Bono Economics (PBE) and the National VCSE Data and Insights Observatory, run by Nottingham Trent University, are partnering to conduct the survey exploring the impact of the cost of living crisis on charities and community groups. A working group of 14 organisations, led by PBE and the Observatory, is developing the survey. The group includes sector bodies, such as the Chartered Institute of Fundraising (CIoF) and the National Council for…

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