Increase in gifts & grants to Swedish nonprofits despite pandemic

Sweden’s nonprofit organisations received SEK 9.2 billion (over €900 million) in gifts and grants in 2020 – a record amount, despite the pandemic.

Giva Sverige’s latest annual report on gifts and grants from the public, companies and other organisations is based on data from 161 of its members. It shows that gifts and grants rose 2.1% during the year, with public giving alone increasing by 4.4%. This continues a trend that has seen the amount donated by individuals rise 49% since 2013.

Charlotte Rydh, Secretary General of Giva Sverige commented:

“The decline in donations that we saw during the first months of the pandemic turned into an increase over the year as a whole. Organisations have managed to reach both old and new donors, and the public has responded with great commitment and a willingness to contribute during the pandemic year.”

A survey of the Swedish public from Novus included in the report shows that six out of ten Swedes have donated money in the past six months and that just over half (53%) of those who donate financially to a nonprofit organisation do so every month. The average gift in 2020 was SEK 134 (€13), with 53% donating via payment method Swish. Asked for the reason behind their last donation, 33% said the cause or activity was important to them personally, 24% said it was a cause or organisation they usually support, and 23% said they wanted to help make a difference to the world.

2020 was also the first full year in which a new tax reduction for gifts to organisations working in the fields of social assistance and research could be used. 3 out of 4 organisations that have shared this opportunity with their donors said that they saw an increase in gifts from the public in 2020.

Corporate giving sees a decline

However, while the public gave more last year, Giva Sverige’s figures show some decline in corporate giving. While these have remained steady at around SEK 1 billion since 2013, 2020 sees a 12% drop compared to 2019’s figures. The report notes that the decline is mainly seen among the largest organisations, and that elsewhere companies’ contributions are stable, or increasing. Additionally, organisations report increased commitment from companies entering into collaborations or offering new support.

Key figures in brief

• SEK 9.2 billion: how much Giva Sverige’s members collected in gifts and grants in 2020. This is an increase of 2.1% compared to 2019.
• This year’s increase is mainly explained by gifts from the public, which increased by 4.4% compared with 2019.
• In 2020, the public accounted for 68% of all gifts and grants, with this including donations and gifts in wills. Companies accounted for 9%, other organisations for 14% and the Postcode Lottery for 9%.
• Over a ten-year period, revenues from gifts, grants and collaborations have doubled, from SEK 4.6 billion in 2010 to SEK 9.2 billion in 2020.

The full report can be downloaded from the Giva Sverige site.