Grants and donations

Overview

In 2017/18, small charities received a higher proportion of their funding in donations from the public than large charities
Over a five year period small charities have seen the proportion of legacy income from the public double from 5.2% to 10.6%
Over the same period, small charities have experienced a small decline in the amount of money they receive in public donations, while large charities have seen an increase
In 2017/18, small charities received nearly equal amounts from the government and voluntary sector in grants
59% of grants from independent grantmakers went to small charities in 2019

In 2017/18, small charities received a higher proportion of funding in the form of donations from the public than large charities did (43% compared to 35%).
Charities with an income of under £100k were most likely to receive donations from the public (64%), compared to charities with an income of £100k – £1m (40%).

The amount of income that small charities receive as legacies has grown from £241m to £522m.
It has doubled as a proportion of their total income from 5.2% in 2013/14, to 10.6% in 2017/18.
The proportion of income from donations has declined by 5% in the same time period.

In 2017/18, small charities received less money from the public in donations than they did in 2013/14.
Comparatively, large charities have seen an increase in the amount of donations they had received from the public, by 14%.

In 2017/18, small charities received a nearly equal amount in grants from the government and the voluntary sector (£842m and £893m respectively).
Since 2013/14, small charities have received a reasonably steady level of grants from the voluntary sector, between £821m – £901m.
In this time, grants from the government to small charities have increased from their lowest point in 2014/15 (£519m) to their highest amount (£842m).

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