Only a quarter of businesses currently support charities in any meaningful way. Yet two-thirds of employees would like to see their employer give more to charity, while three-quarters of consumers say they feel more positive about businesses that make a difference in their local communities.

Independent charities across the UK are operating in an increasingly demanding environment shaped by financial pressures, administrative complexity, changing patterns of public giving, and evolving regulatory expectations.

The latest CAF UK Giving Report 2026 highlights ongoing changes in the charity landscape, with donor numbers and overall giving affected by continued cost-of-living pressures.

The combined impact of rising living costs, economic uncertainty, and reduced disposable income has created significant challenges for organisations that rely heavily on donations and community support. While many charities continue to deliver essential services to vulnerable people, generating the funds needed to sustain those services has become harder than ever.

Applications for the grant are now open, with a deadline of midnight on 5 June 2026.

For UK independent charities, resilience isn’t just about surviving today; it’s about thriving tomorrow and beyond.

One of the most critical drivers of long-term sustainability is external awareness; the ability to anticipate, interpret, and respond to the forces shaping your environment.

For UK independent charities, resilience isn’t just about surviving today; it’s about thriving tomorrow and beyond.

One of the most critical drivers of long-term sustainability is external awareness; the ability to anticipate, interpret, and respond to the forces shaping your environment.

In 2023, as part of the Big Listen series, The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) travelled across the country to speak with hundreds of small, local charities.

The New Year Honours aren’t just about celebrities or big names; they’re really about everyday heroes: the people quietly making a difference in their communities, volunteering for charities, supporting neighbours, or running local initiatives.

The wider Autumn Budget set out several tax measures that will shape how, when and how much people are able to give over the coming years. For charities, these changes create a mixed picture of potential opportunities and pressures.