Press Release

Charity Confidence Survey reveals charity leaders less confident about the future of their sector

11 June 2008

Results from a new charity confidence survey published today reveal that charity leaders are generally confident about the future of their own individual organisations, but much less sure of prospects for the rest of the voluntary sector.
Results from NCVO’s second quarterly survey show:

•    Charity leaders’ confidence has fallen 5% in the last quarter, but still shows a net positive confidence of 40%.
•    Confidence in the voluntary sector economy has dropped by 21% since March 2008.
•    There has also been a 16% drop in expectations for the UK economy as a whole.
•    There has been a substantial decrease (15%) in confidence in the Government’s ability to improve the Sector’s operating environment.
•    Despite the difficulties, 49% of charity leaders still expect to increase their campaigning and advocacy over the coming year, suggesting charities are finding ways to get their message out there despite the difficulties.

Karl Wilding, Head of Research at NCVO, said:“This shows that charity leaders expect tough times ahead for the sector.  However most think that their charity will be able to weather the storm.
“Most expect their service delivery to increase in spite of, or perhaps because of, the difficult economic conditions.”

Stuart Etherington, Chief Executive of NCVO, said:“Charity leaders are concerned about the impact of government policies on their funding. That is why it is critical that government funders demonstrate genuine commitment to implementing the Compact.”

John O’Sullivan, Chief Executive, St Johns Housing Trust, Suffolk, said: “The sector is being squeezed between the rhetoric of government/cabinet office extolling the virtues of the sector and the reality on the ground where local authority practices are challenging and threatening the diversity of the sector.”

The Charity Confidence Survey is a quarterly survey, designed to provide voluntary organisations with valuable information that they can use in the planning process.  It can be ordered at www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/charityforecastsurvey.