Rehab and CRC scandals still driving down donations for 61% of charities

A SURVEY RELEASED this morning has found charities are still feeling the effects of the charities scandal of last year and two thirds have taken steps in the last six months to increase transparency.

The survey in April of 297 organisations conducted by The Wheel, which represents 950 charities, shows recent negative publicity surrounding CRC and Rehab is still having a detrimental impact on other charities which are already struggling with falling incomes while demand for their services grow.

Some 61 per cent the charities surveyed claim that their fundraising has been affected by the negative publicity and of these, nearly half say that since November 2013 their fundraising has fallen by up to 10 per cent.

The survey found 59 per cent of the charities surveyed say their overall income has fallen over the past year while more than two-thirds say demand for their services has increased over the same period. At the same time, 36 per cent of charities have cut back or suspended services in the past year.

Steps taken by charities to increase transparency and strengthen governance includes publishing annual accounts online and information about the remuneration of senior staff.

Commenting on the finding today at The Wheel’s National Conference, Chief Executive Deirdre Garvey said the vast majority of charities are committed to governance and transparency.

“We look forward to working with the recently appointed board of the Charities Regulatory Authority as it commences work on the register of charities and agrees the format of annual reporting by charities,” she said.

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