Here at nfpSynergy, we speak to a lot of people about charities. Every year, we speak to 16,000 Brits about all manner of charity questions, along with 700 young people aged 7-16. We survey a further 6,000 adults about brand, plus 5,000 across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and 1,800 more in the Republic of Ireland. We also interview 150 journalists twice a year and 150 MPs four times a year. It’s quite tiring to read in a blog, but very satisfying to look at the complete collection of data.

With this in mind, I have designed a short charity quiz, with the objective of telling you some stuff you didn’t know. It’s multiple choice and if you get all seven right, then you: a) buy a lot of our products, b) are good at guessing c) know all there is to know about charities or d) speak to A LOT of people. Don’t scroll too fast, as there’s an explanation of the answers below question 7.

Here we go:

1. Which is the most likely age group to volunteer?

a) 16-24  b)   25-34   c) 55-64   d) 65+

2. Which area has the highest volunteering levels?

a) Yorkshire and Humber   b) London   c) South West/Wales   d) Scotland

3. How many people have given to charity in the last three months?

a) 52%   b) 62%   c) 72%   d) 82%

4. Which is the most trusted institution

a) Schools   b) Small businesses   c) The Royal Family   d) Charities

5. Which do MPs say is the best way to contact them?

a) Face to face meetings at Westminster   b) event in MPs constituency   c) at a party conference   d) social media

6. How do journalists advise you to grab their attention?

a) Always have a case study/story   b) Call/email with ideas   c) Offer an exclusive   d) do something original

7. Which attributes do the most 11-16 year olds think their ideal charity should have?

a) Fun   b) In touch with young people   c) Caring   d) Know their stuff

The answers

1. Which is the most likely age group to volunteer? 16-24 year olds.

Surprised? So were we. It always used to be the over 65s, but youth volunteering has doubled since 2003. It was 14% then and as low as 13% in 2010, but ever since the rise has been meteoric. Is it now cool? Hip? Modesty casts doubt on whether I’m qualified to judge, but with levels of 30% the young are very much the volunteers of today as well as tomorrow.

2. Which area has the highest volunteering levels? Wales and the South West – 24%

Bore da and alright me booty! The Welsh and their English counterparts across the water are the top volunteers at nearly a quarter. Only just mind, with several other areas breathing down their neck on 23%. Not quite time to move your entire volunteering campaign HQ to Cornwall, but an indication that the West Country and the Welsh were well up for it this time around.

3. How many have given to charity in the last three months? 72%.

Only just coming to the end of an economic crisis? What crisis? Giving has remained fairly stable since we started asking people 16 years ago. Nearly three quarters of us delved deep to donate and that shows no sign of dipping. Well done, it seems we're a generous generation of givers. 

4. Which of these is the most trusted institution? Small businesses – 62%.

Just edging out schools on 61% are small businesses, top of this fairly small tree. They’re some way away from overtaking the armed forces though, who sit at the summit on 70%, a position they've held since the poll began a decade ago. If you picked charities here, sadly they’re the least trusted of the four. Fear not though, they’re still way ahead of political parties, as is everyone else in the list.

5. Which do MPs say is the best way to contact them? Face to face meetings at Westminster - 46%.

Nearly half of MPs picked this option and it’s easy to see why. It probably takes little effort and preparation on their part, while charities get to show their passion straight from the horse’s mouth. Consitutency events are very worthwhile at 40%, but don’t waste too much time on social media. Face time rather than Facebook is the name of this particular game.

6. How do journalists advise you to grab their attention? Always have a case study/story - 36%

Calling, emailing, exclusives and originality are all nice ideas, but they fail to excite more than 12% of the journalists in our sample. Stories are about people and over a third of journalists value a case study or story, so include them wherever possible.

7.Which attributes do the most 11-16 year olds think their ideal charity should have? Caring (59%).

Young people are obviously getting their fun, knowledgeability and connections elsewhere, because they say their ideal charity should be caring. Given that young people are the top volunteers and have high donation levels (54% among 11-16 year olds), it’s time to take heed of what they want. Emotional attachments with charities are formed at an early age, with substance rather than style ruling the day.

We have lots of information, ideas and insights into all of these groups that could help you tailor your message, maximise your brand and succeed in your work. If you’d like to hear some more about any of this information, contact us and we’d be delighted to show you how we can help.

The quizmaster's decision is final, but you can still have your say below! Leave us a comment.