Charities are being warned of an impending fundraising crisis after the publication of new figures which show a major decline in donations from younger people.
According to the Charities Aid Foundation, more than half of all donations to charities now come from the over-60s, compared with just over a third 30 years ago. The over-60s are now more than twice as likely to give to charity as the under-30s.
The study, conducted by Professor Sarah Smith of the University of Bristol, warns that charities face a “donation deficit” in the near future if action is not taken to ensure that younger generations match the generosity of older age groups.
The research found that the gap between the donations made by the over-60s and under-30s has widened sharply during the past three decades, raising fears that donations will fall when the older generations start to die.
In 1980, 29% of the over-60s had given to charity, compared with 23% of those under 30. But when question, 32% of people over 60 said they had given to charities, compared with only 16% of the under-30s.
CAF is calling for action to tackle the potential long-term deficit, including a section in the National Curriculum and encouragement to volunteer and undertake work placements for charities.
CAF chief executive John Low said: “The generosity of Britain’s older generation continues to be remarkable – and many charities today depend heavily on their support. The worrying fact is that people from younger generations are simply not giving to the same extent.
“We need clear steps to be taken in order to build up the culture of giving among younger people, to ensure that Britain continues to support the causes we all care about in the decades to come.”
