When I first started working in the charity sector, I had only a vague idea of what a charitable trust or foundation was. The names were often historic – usually a person long since deceased – and they seemed to sit quietly in the background, influential but invisible. I doubt I was alone in that confusion, but I wanted to find out for certain how the average person would get on explaining what these organisations are and  what they do.

What does the public know?

Tim Harrison-Byrne

Bijal Rama

Sarah Nathan  

Eva Spencer

Maia Coelho

Support for charities is personal, and a strong brand personality is key to creating lasting emotional connections amongst current and potential supporters. But what makes the ideal charity? Let’s uncover the attributes that truly resonate with people.

Sarah Nathan & Peter Dawson

The charity sector in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland entered 2025 facing significant financial pressure. Rising costs, increased demand for services, and uncertainty around long-term funding have created a climate of anxiety. Yet, despite these challenges, there are clear reasons for optimism, with promising trends in giving, public sentiment, and government collaboration offering a brighter outlook.

Pressures Facing the Sector

Jo Fischl

In the latest of our focus group series, last month saw us exploring the views and opinions of the Scottish public. Our regular polling and interviews with the people of Scotland provide vital insights to charities working both exclusively in the country, as well as UK-wide organisations looking to better understand this specific audience.

Jo Fischl

Last month, we carried out a focus group discussion with a group of charity donors aged in their 50s to 70s. Charity was an important aspect of their lives; they have given at least £40 to charity in the past month, with some also volunteering time or fundraising to support various charities. Suffice to say, they were passionate about the causes and charities they supported. Today, we’re sharing some of the key themes we noted from our discussion with this group.