Grants and donations

Overview

In 2019/20, charities of all sizes received the highest proportion of their overall income in donations from the public.
Donations from the public to small charities were at similar levels to 2013/14 (4% increase), compared to larger charities that have increased by 60%.
Over a six year period small charities have seen the proportion of legacy income from the public increase by 11%.
59% of grants from independent grantmakers went to small charities in 2019.

In 2019/20, donations from the public was the largest source as a proportion of voluntary income across the sector.
Charities under £100K received a higher proportion (69%) of their funding in the form of donations from the public.

Small charities have received a 11% increase in the amount of voluntary income from the public over a six-year period, at a total of £2.6bn in 2019/20.
In 2019/20, small charities received £2.2bn in donations, a 6% decrease on the previous year.

Donations from the public to small charities decreased in 2019/20, only 4% higher than donations in 2013/14.
This is compared to an increase in donations form the public to larger charities, which have increased by 60% since 2013/4.

In 2019/20, small charities received £787m in grants from the voluntary sector.
This represents a a slight increase from the previous year but an overall fall in voluntary sector grant income. Between 2013/14 and 2017/18, small charities received a higher level of grants from the voluntary sector, between £845m and £927m, adjusted for inflation.

59% of grants from independent grantmakers went to small charities in 2019.
The share of grants distributed to small charities has increased over a five year period, particularly to those with an income of over £100k.

insights

How many people work and volunteer for small charities?

insights

What skills are small charities strongest in? Where do they need upskilling?