Our weekly survey is designed to take the temperature of the civil society sector as the Covid-19 crisis continues to unfold, monitoring the pressures being faced by charities and voluntary organisations across the country and understanding how the picture is changing over time.
Over the course of 19 & 20 May 2020, a total of 196 respondents filled in the survey. The respondents were split between 65 ‘small’ charities (annual income of less than £500,000), 113 ‘medium’ sized charities (income between £500,000 and £10 million), 17 ‘large’ charities (income of £10 million or more), and 1 ‘other’. Due to the small sample size among large charities this week, the medium and large responses have been grouped together.
Commenting on the findings Matt Whittaker, Chief Executive of Pro Bono Economics, said:
“The Chancellor warned this week that the UK’s post-Covid economic recovery was likely to lack any “bounce”, and our survey findings point to a similar sentiment across charities. 95 per cent say they expect to suffer lower income over the next six months than they had planned for pre-crisis, and 10 per cent think it is “likely” that the crisis will bring their operations to a complete halt.
Overall, nine-in-ten say they expect the pandemic to negatively impact on their ability to meet their charitable objectives. And two-in-five have become more pessimistic over the past week.
Smaller charities appear to be especially vulnerable, with 40 per cent saying they expect their income to fall by more than half over the next six months relative to their pre-crisis expectations. Worryingly, 12 per cent say they think it likely that they will cease to operate. The opening of applications for support through the new Coronavirus Community Support Fund from Friday is therefore hugely welcome, though many charities tell us they fear being overlooked.”
Notes: 19/20 May = 196 responses. Past weeks = 406, 126, 433 responses respectively.
Source: Charity responses to PBE & Civil Society Media survey.
Notes: 196 responses, comprising 65 ‘small’.
Notes: 196 responses.
Notes: 196 responses. Respondents were asked to tick all options that applied.
Notes: 19/20 May = 196 responses.
Notes: 19/20 May = 196 responses. Previous weeks = 406 responses.