Government funding to small charities

Overview

The public sector is the second largest source of funding for small charities after the general public.
Small charities received £2,041m from the public sector in 2019/20.
Half of small charities receive no earned income from the public sector, but one-in-five received over half of their earned income from the public sector.
Government income to small charities has declined in real terms over a six-year period, but increased for those with an income over £100m

In 2019/20, small charities received a total income of £2,041m from the public sector.
This is the second highest source of income after the general public.
Government income to small charities has declined in real terms over five years, from £2553m in 2013/14.

The picture is mixed – half of small charities received no earned income from the public sector.
One in five small charities received over half of their earned income from the public sector, and one in ten 75% or more.

Over the past five years, income from government has significantly declined for all charities, other than the very largest.
The largest charities (over £100m) have seen a a decrease in government income since 2017/2018.
Overall, government income for all small charities has dropped by 20%.
Charities with an income of under £100k have seen the greatest decline in their income from government, receiving nearly a third less than they did in 2013/14.

Small charities receive an equal share of income from central and local government.
Levels of income from from European & International government are much smaller (£44m).

Insights

Explore data on how small charities deliver services on behalf of the public sector

Insights

How do small charities fundraise from the general public and elsewhere?