







What happens to charities in a downturn?
June 2008
Telephone: (020) 7415 7196
e-mail: jonathan.baker@nfpsynergy.net
Web: www.nfpsynergy.net
© nfpSynergy
Our sample and methodology
· Sample of 56 of the largest voluntary income charities
· Analysis of 25-year financial histories, to look at how
charities are affected by the economy
Asking the questions:
· What might happen in a downturn?
· When charities might be affected?
· How they might be affected?
© nfpSynergy 2
GDP growth effect on Total income has a
17 month delay
Total Income Growth
27.00 Average Charity
GDP Growth
22.00
Growth (%)
17.00
12.00
7.00
2.00
-3.00
89
91
95
03
05
81
83
85
87
93
97
99
01
07
19
19
19
19
19
20
20
20
19
19
19
19
19
20
Year
Source: ONS/ Charity Trends/nfpSynergy
© nfpSynergy 3
GDP growth effect on Voluntary income
has a 10 month delay
Voluntary Income Growth
27 Average Charity
GDP Growth
22
Growth (%)
17
12
7
2
-3
91
03
81
83
85
87
89
93
95
97
99
01
05
07
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
20
20
20
20
Source: ONS/ Charity Trends/nfpSynergy Year
© nfpSynergy 4
Disposable income effect on Voluntary
income is almost immediate
30 Voluntary Income Growth
Average Charity
25
DI per Head Growth
20
Growth (%)
15
10
5
-
81
85
87
91
95
01
05
83
89
93
97
99
03
19
19
19
19
19
20
20
19
19
19
19
19
20
Year
Source: ONS/ Charity Trends/nfpSynergy
© nfpSynergy 5
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Telephone: (020) 7426 8888 Fax: 0207 377 2116
email: jonathan.baker@nfpsynergy.net
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