The state of the nation’s giving
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.
CAF’s most recent data shows that total charitable giving in the UK has fallen from £15.4bn in 2024 to £14bn in 2025, while the number of donors has also declined for the first time in five years. Over the longer term, the report notes a significant drop in participation, with around six million fewer people giving compared to a decade ago, and an estimated £12.4bn reduction in sector-wide donations over that period.
Key takeaways in 2025:
The British public donated an estimated £14 billion.
This is a decline from £15.4 billion in 2024 and is the first decrease in total giving since 2021. The decrease is driven by lower average donations in 2025 (£65, down from £72 in 2024).
Direct debit and standing order remain the most popular ways to give.
Around a fifth of all donations are made by direct debit or standing order, although an estimated 2.8 million people cancelled one of these regular donations in 2025. Nearly a third of donors are still giving in cash.
One in five people say they cannot afford to give to charity.
Lack of affordability is the main reason people do not donate and is common across all demographics. Among those who did not donate, 28% overall suggested they were not interested in charities, rising to half (49%) of those who are higher and additional rate taxpayers.
Over the last 10 Years:
There are six million fewer donors compared to 10 years ago.
Since 2016, the number of charity supporters has dropped by an estimated six million people. The decline was steepest during the pandemic, with a cumulative loss of nearly four million donors throughout 2020 and 2021.
The decline in donors has cost charities an estimated £12.4 billion.
If the public had continued to give each year at the same rate as they did in 2016, an estimated £12.4 billion more would have gone to charities. This is on par with a year’s worth of giving.
A drop in donors to overseas aid means total donations to the cause have declined in real terms. Meanwhile, donations to charities supporting older people, children and young people, and people with disabilities, have outstripped inflation. This has been driven by larger value donations, rather than more donors.
Against the backdrop of the cost-of-living crisis, it is perhaps unsurprising that affordability remains the most frequently cited barrier to giving. However, the outlook is not wholly negative for the sector. The report also shows that 68% of higher-rate taxpayers, those earning £50,000 or more, made a donation or sponsored a cause in the past year.
Looking ahead, fundraising in the UK is set to be increasingly shaped by digital innovation, with a growing emphasis on efficiency, personalisation and income diversification. To succeed, it will need to remain purpose-led, supported by senior leadership willing to invest in bold, long-term thinking and sustained ambition.
Artificial intelligence also presents considerable opportunities to enhance communications and reduce operational costs. While ethical considerations and data privacy concerns continue to act as barriers to adoption, particularly for smaller charities where its responsible use has strong potential to improve supporter engagement and streamline fundraising activity.
At the same time, data-driven decision-making is becoming more central, enabling charities to better understand donor behaviour and maximise lifetime value, ultimately supporting greater long-term sustainability for both organisations and their beneficiaries. In this context, regular giving plays a key role in deepening insight and strengthening relationships with supporters.
Overall, a combination of purpose-driven fundraising, a clear understanding of what makes a strong fundraising organisation, and diversified income streams will be essential for resilience in the face of economic pressure. Above all, charities must prioritise supporter experience, ensuring donors feel valued and engaged throughout their journey, encouraging long-term commitment to the causes they care about.
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Source: https://www.cafonline.org/insights/research/uk-giving-report/uk-giving-report-2026-download, accessed 30.6.2026.