The amount donated by the British public fell in 2025 for the first time in five years, with rising costs continuing to put pressure on public generosity and charity fundraising budgets. In response, the CIOF has partnered with CharityTracker, which surveys a nationally representative sample of 4,000 UK adults every month to provide insight for charities into how people are thinking, feeling and behaving, and how that is changing over time. As part of this monthly survey, respondents will now be asked the following question on behalf of the CIOF: Have you been asked to donate to charity in any of the following ways, in the last 4 weeks?

Participants are asked to select from a list of fundraising approaches, including a range of fundraising channels, workplace giving, and requests from friends and family.

By tracking responses to this question every month, the CIOF wants to establish how often people are being asked to give and through which channels. This will enable trends to be identified over time and a benchmark to be developed, providing its members with insight into what fundraising activity is reaching supporters effectively, where gaps exist, and whether changes or greater investment may be needed. The data will also help inform the CIOF’s wider work on growing giving and championing fundraising.

The initiative supports the pillar ‘Fostering a culture that inspires more people to give’ of the CIOF’s ten-year strategy, which launched in January 2026. A key strand of this work is to challenge the barriers and misconceptions that prevent people from giving and to encourage more to support charitable causes.

Rob Cope, executive director, membership & operations, Chartered Institute of Fundraising, says:

“It’s fantastic to have an organisation like CharityTracker join us as an official partner. We’ll work with them to gauge public awareness and perception of fundraising — using the data they share with us to identify trends in fundraising and any gaps where changes or improvements could be made. It will be a valuable resource for our members, and for informing the future work of our Growing Giving and Championing Fundraising Advisory Panels.”

Anna Turner, head of research & insight at CharityTracker, adds:

“Regular, evidence-based insight is essential to understanding donor behaviour, strengthening supporter relationships and helping charities develop more resilient, effective fundraising strategies. Tracking this question month by month will provide the sector with an invaluable new source of intelligence to inform future fundraising.”

The partnership’s first results have been uploaded to the CIOF website, and reveal that 63% of respondents were asked to donate to charity in August, mainly in-person, such as a street or door-to-door collector (20%), through an ad (20%), or by email (15%).

Italy’s system of “percentage philanthropy” allows taxpayers to allocate a small share of their income tax to a cause of their choice, at no additional cost. Three separate instruments coexist: the 5×1000, dedicated to non-profit organisations and, more broadly, to social and welfare activities — including those run by municipalities; the 2×1000, which taxpayers can direct to political parties; and the 8×1000, reserved for religious denominations. Together, they form one of the most distinctive and closely watched fiscal-subsidiarity systems in Europe. This year, ASSIF — the Italian Fundraising Association — is marking a significant moment with three initiatives converging around research and advocacy.

A permanent Observatory for Italy’s fiscal-subsidiarity instruments

ASSIF has formally launched the Osservatorio ASSIF sul 5, 2 e 8 per mille (ASSIF Observatory on 5, 2 and 8×1000) https://5×1000.assif.it/, presented publicly in Genoa in May 2026. The Observatory turns a decade of informal monitoring work (ASSIF’s “Tavolo 5×1000”, active since 2017) into a permanent institutional structure, sitting within ASSIF’s Advisory Board and working alongside its Governing Board.

Its mandate rests on four pillars:

• Continuous data analysis and annual reporting
• A comparative European outlook
• The combined use of human expertise and AI-assisted tools for data interpretation
• Advocacy toward policymakers

The Observatory has also opened a public open-data platform, making historical data on all three instruments searchable by researchers, journalists, fundraisers and citizens alike — data that until now has been public in principle but rarely accessible in practice.

Alongside the platform, the Observatory is putting forward five concrete policy proposals: removing the spending cap that currently prevents part of the 5×1000 funds taxpayers allocate from actually reaching beneficiaries; greater transparency in the relationship between donors and recipient organisations, within privacy rules; the stable reintroduction of the 2×1000 for culture, trialled intermittently since 2016; opening fiscal subsidiarity to companies, as already happens in Spain, Slovakia and elsewhere in Europe; and stronger public support for fundraising capacity within beneficiary organisations, over 13% of which currently receive no allocations at all.

A European comparative study on percentage philanthropy

Building on this Italian groundwork, ASSIF is launching a comparative research project on percentage philanthropy systems across Europe. A structured questionnaire has been developed and circulated to other European fundraising associations (EFA members and non-members), covering the legal basis of each national instrument, eligible beneficiaries, taxpayer participation, funds distributed, privacy arrangements and an overall qualitative assessment. This allows, for the first time, a systematic side-by-side reading of how these mechanisms work (and don’t work) across the European countries that have adopted them.

The findings will be shared with contributing national associations and publicly once consolidated — offering a shared evidence base for countries considering the introduction, extension or reform of similar instruments.

“Il voto fiscale degli italiani”: a conference at the Italian Parliament

The advocacy work converges on 13 October 2026, when ASSIF and the Observatory will bring these findings to the Italian Parliament with the conference “Il voto fiscale degli italiani” (“Italians’ fiscal vote”), held at the Camera dei Deputati in Rome.

The date marks two anniversaries: twenty years of the 5×1000 and twelve years of the 2×1000 — two instruments that have progressively reshaped the relationship between citizens, the Third Sector and politics. In 2025, over 18.4 million taxpayers (43.1% of the total) allocated a share of their income tax to non-profit organisations through the 5×1000, for a combined value exceeding €602 million — the highest figure on record — while the 2×1000 involved over 2.2 million taxpayers and channelled €32.5 million to political parties.

Drawing on Observatory data, the conference will present historical trends, the territorial distribution of funds, and — for the first time in this setting — the European research described above. The programme also includes a preview of the annual Ipsos-DOXA survey on public awareness and take-up of the 5×1000 and 2×1000, and a shared basis for reforming proposals.

For more information on the Observatory, the European comparative research, or the 13 October conference, contact ASSIF at presidenza@assif.it and osservatorio@assif.it

Rapeli, who leads Lastenklinikoiden Kummit (Association of Friends of the University Children’s Hospitals), had been VaLa’s vice chair for the past two years.

She succeeds 2025 chair Petri Äikiä, a fundraising leader at disability charity Invalidiliitto, who steps down from the board.

One new member was elected to the seven-person board at the meeting – Erika Mäntylä of Pieni ele, also a disability charity.

The elections took place at a member in late October, at which VaLa’s 2026 action plan was also approved.

This action plan sets out that the main focus of VaLa’s operations next year will be developing the operating environment for fundraising, and related advocacy work.

Picture above shows (left to right): Äikiä; VaLa secretary general Pia Tornikoski; and Rapeli

The new board was voted in by members at a meeting in May, following the sudden resignation in October of former president Andrea Romboli, followed by three other board members.

Michela Gaffo, who had been made interim president in November, has now been confirmed in the role. Giulia Barbieri has been elected vice president.

The board, whose members will serve for three years, is completed by Pietro Addis, Alberto Almagioni, Claudia Costa, Anna Fabbricotti, Federico Petruio, Alessandro Silipigni and Eleonora Spalloni.

The new board has outlined its aims and strategy through the ASSIF Futura programme, which consists of six pillars:

1. Growing its member base, and improving how it listens to and involves members, including through regional and local activities
2. Producing research and data which will support the organization and the profession as a whole
3. Launching an Advocacy Board and strengthening the organization’s external relations work
4. Offering a range of networking and training opportunities
5. Strengthening governance, with member participation and transparency as key tenets
6. Building a plan for the long-term sustainability of the organization

Speaking to Italian third sector magazine Vita in November, Gaffo said that “active and democratic participation of members is fundamental” to ASSIF, and that the organization had perhaps become disconnected from its membership during recent times.

Gaffo currently leads fundraising for Tender to Nave Italia, a charity supporting people with disabilities through sailing and maritime activities.

She first joined the ASSIF board in 2020, and has previously worked in fundraising and marketing roles for the Associazione Italiana Sclerosi Multipla (Italian MS Society); Helpcode, an education and children-focused NGO; and sector-wide organization Italian Non Profit.

Barbieri currently works for COSPE, an international cooperation NGO. She previously sat on the ASSIF board between 2014 and 2019.

Picture by Sergio Agazzi

Carlos Molina, analyst and writer for MultiVersial.es newsletter, will discuss trends and innovation in digital business and how it will impact the NGO sector.

Jimena Tormo, head of gaming and interactive IPs by DeAPlaneta Entertainment, will share innovative examples of how XR and gaming can transform fundraising and take a look at the tools needed to change marketing and communication strategies to attract more donors and partners.

Frederic Bardeu, Simpolon.co co-founder, is going to talk about how to introduce AI into activism and fundraising, and taking advantage of new opportunities whilst at the same time minimising the risks that AI brings.

All news and registrations are available on the Digital Fundraising Hub website.

Commenting on the event, Fernando Morón, director of the AEFr, said: “Digital Fundraising Hub offers a valuable space for Third Sector professionals to learn about the latest trends in economics, marketing and digital fundraising.”

Picture by mikoto.raw Photographer on Pexels

The appointment was confirmed at the organisation’s general meeting at the end of June.

Van Engelshoven was Minister of Education, Culture and Science between October 2017 and January 2022, and was also previously chair of the Democraten 66 (D66) political party. She says:

“In the role of chair of Goede Doelen Nederland, I see an important opportunity to contribute to strengthening the social position of charities in the Netherlands. Because charities are of great value to our society. I look forward to working with the supervisory board and the board to contribute to achieving the mission of Goede Doelen Nederland.”

GDN director Margreet Plug describes van Engelshoven as a “a very experienced chairman with extensive political and administrative experience”. Alongside her new GDN role, van Engelshoven also sits on the boards of arts organisation PLT and the Hague Institute for Innovation of Law (HiiL), and is an advisor to cultural sector consultancy Blueyard.

Her predecessor, van Berkel, had served as chair since 2016 and had been on the board since 2012. He was also one of GDN’s co-founders in 1995.

A statement on the organisation’s website says:

“Charity Netherlands is extremely grateful to Jan van Berkel for everything he has meant to the organization and the sector and the way in which he has fulfilled his role as chairman of the supervisory board.”

In addition, Julie Verhaar was also appointed to GDN’s six-person board at the general meeting. Verhaar is currently director of children’s aid organisation Terres des Hommes Nederland, and has also worked for Greenpeace, UNHCR and UNICEF.

Daniëls has been head of marketing at wildlife and nature conservation nonprofit Natuurpunt since 2011. Before that he worked for other environmental organisations including the youth-focused Jeugdbond voor Natuur en Milieu.

Van Roosbroeck is head of fundraising and communications at Vluchtelingenwerk Vlaanderen (Flemish Refugee Action). He began his career as a face-to-face fundraiser for Greenpeace, where he spent 10 years in a variety of positions.

Since 2022, Willems has been fundraising manager at cancer charity Stichting Tegen Kanker. She has also worked for Oxfam, and for more than five years sat on the board of social impact investor Oikocredit Belgium.

The new trio join the board as Amnesty International fundraising coordinator Jeroen Janssens steps down after seven years of service.

The nine-person board is chaired by Isabel Penne, who co-founded Fundraisers Belgium in 2011.

Penne told Fundraising Europe that a milestone for the organisation in the second half of 2024 will be the launch of a country’s first Postgraduate Certificate in Fundraising. Starting in September, this course will initially be offered in Dutch (Flemish).

The successful candidate will work with the Board, the EFA Certification and Public Affairs Committees, and other volunteer member groups to ensure that EFA is a collective voice for Europe’s fundraising community. The role will also provide the unique opportunity to work across EFA’s membership, developing and managing partnerships with a range of organisations across Europe and globally.

Full details on the job description and application process here

 Criteria for the role

• A senior and experienced individual with a significant and demonstrated track record in an NGO, civil society organisation or public body,
• Strong financial acumen with proven experience and solid fundraising skills.
• Sound strategic planning abilities with a proven track record of achieving targets.
• Demonstrated experience and success in global partnership building, convening stakeholders with diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Experience in effective advocacy with both internal and external audiences.
• Fluent in English; good knowledge of other languages is an asset.

Timeline

The closing date for applications is 30/06/2024 and the first stage online interviews will take place in July. Further interviews will take place from August with the final decision made in September/ October.

Help EFA find the right candidate

EFA is asking members to help with the search by promoting the opportunity within their own network through their newsletters and social channels.

Questions

Questions can be directed to Charlotte Rydh, President of EFA and CEO of the Swedish Fundraising Association, at info@efa-net.eu.

Bigler is the head of communications and marketing at Christian aid organisation HEKS/EPER. He initially joined the Swissfundraising committee in 2021, and succeeds Sibylle Spengler who had served on the committee for 12 years, including six as president.

Sibylle Spengler, who steps down after 6 years as president

Bigler will work alongside newly-elected vice-president Fabienne Schmidli, who by day works at the university ZHAW in Zurich. Schmidli first joined the committee in 2020.

Silvia Beyeler of children’s charity SOS-Kinderdorf; Ruth Wagner from the agency one marketing; and Christine Bill from the agency asm Agentur für Sozialmarketing; have also joined the nine-person committee.

Presenting her final annual report to the 50 members in attendance, Spengler noted that Swissfundraising now had 1,065 members, that the organisation again ended the year with a turnover of more than 1m CHF (€1m), and a small profit (7,500 CHF). She added that demand for seminars and meetings was high, and that SwissFundraisingDay in June had attracted more than 400 attendees.

Swissfundraising director Roger Tinner also thanked Spengler for her service and hard work, noting that the membership had more than doubled during her time on the committee.

Iiro Jusilla & Pia Tornikoski

VaLa was established in 2004 and has been a member of the European Fundraising Association since that year. Over the past 20 years, VaLa has organized fundraising training since 2005, awarded Fundraising Campaign of the Year since 2011, coordinated the Good Testament campaign since 2014 and GivingTuesday since 2018, created guidelines for responsible fundraising and good governance since 2010, and contributed to the creation of a new fundraising law in Finland in 2020.

VaLa, in collaboration with its partners, has also developed a special vocational qualification in fundraising, with the 10th course currently in progress. Currently, VaLa has over 80 members.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice

The celebratory seminar featured speeches on various topics, including “Organizational Leadership and Fundraising in the Era of New Ecosystems,” “Opportunities and Challenges of European Collaboration,” and “Philanthropy and Crises: Roles and Functioning of Philanthropy in Times of Societal Upheavals.”

Additionally, there was a speech by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, who is currently leading the ministry’s preparation of the Civil Society Strategy, which has identified the development of fundraising as one of its main objectives.