Coronavirus: Over two-thirds of charities in worldwide poll report significant decline in donations

94% of charities polled for a survey on the worldwide impact of the coronavirus pandemic on non-profits say they have been negatively affected, with over 70% seeing a significant reduction in donations.

CAF America first conducted a global survey into the pandemic’s effect on charities in March. A second survey at the beginning of May questioned 880 organisations from 122 countries to learn how the coronavirus global pandemic continues to impact their work. This included 286 in Europe: the second largest regional response following North America.

Financially, the pandemic has had a huge impact. 73% of respondents have seen a significant reduction in the contributions they receive, with 50% foreseeing a decline of more than 20% in contributions within the next 12 months. Only 6% are projecting an increase in their revenues, although this has risen from 3% in the March survey. 

Many are concerned about the longer-term impact of the pandemic. Only 13% said they do not foresee the pandemic having a negative impact on their organisation in the coming year, with 55% expecting problems to surface in more than three months time – up from 34% in the March survey.

So far, almost 15% of the organisations surveyed have had to suspend operations, as their activities cannot be carried out remotely. More than 60% have reported that they had to eliminate or suspend some of their regular programmes and services while 70% have had to suspend programmes involving travel or events. 22% have been able to remain fully operational working remotely, while 30%, as providers of essential services, have continued to operate onsite.

To try and mitigate the negative financial impact of the coronavirus global pandemic, almost two thirds of the organisations surveyed have opted for two measures: reducing operational costs other than overhead (61%) and launching new fundraising campaigns (60%). 29% had to either furlough or lay off employees, while 17% of the respondents have reduced salaries.

The full study can be viewed here.