Public trust and confidence in charities

A recent survey conducted by Ipsos on behalf of the Charity Commission finds that although overall trust and confidence in charities remains in line with 2008 (with a mean of 6.6 out of 10), the proportion of people reporting high levels of trust and confidence in charities has increased (from 36% to 41% giving a score of at least 8 out of 10).

Other key findings include: 

Despite this rise in high levels of trust, and 7% saying their trust and confidence in charities has increased over the past two years, one in ten (11%) say that their trust and confidence in charities has decreased. 

The most common reason for this decrease is media coverage about how charities spend their donations (response given by 28% of those whose trust has declined). 

Indeed, ‘ensuring that a reasonable proportion of donations make it to the end cause’ is the most important factor affecting trust and confidence in charities (42%). 

People are more likely to trust charities generally if they, or close friends or family members, have benefitted from them. However, people are not always aware of being beneficiaries of a charity - fewer than one in three (30%) say they personally or have close friends or family who have used the services of a charity. However, when prompted with activities that charities might provide, around nine in ten (93%) say they or close friends or family have used these services. 

Around half (53%) of the public have heard of the Charity Commission. When explained, almost all (98%) believe the role of the Charity Commission is essential, very or fairly important.