I was incredibly impressed with the team in terms of their professionalism, skills and the quality of the final report they produced. In particular, I was delighted with how well YouthNet and nfpSynergy worked together. The team were friendly and approachable and always took our comments on board in a timely and productive way. We felt in control of the project, while at the same time were able to put our trust in nfpSynergy at all times. We very much look forward to working together on future projects.

Very pleased with the quality of the country profile reports, especially when the first batch was on a very low budget for you! The reports were thorough and always to a high standard.

Christina Turner, Communications Manager, Children and Families Across Borders

As nfpSynergy clients who attended our March Insights event and heard the presentation that forms the basis of this editorial will be aware, one of the themes to emerge in recent waves of our research is that while charitable giving levels in 2012 remain volatile, the picture is not bleak.

• Younger people and women generally more anxious than older people and men
• “Dangerous irony: state & charity face ‘Big Society’ cuts just as many people fear they’re about to be most needed”, warns nfpSynergy’s Saxton

A third (34%) and a fifth (20%) of the public say (slide 2) they are fairly or very worried about needing future financial assistance, from the state and from charities respectively, according to new data. Younger people and women are generally more worried about this than older people and men.

The public have a level of choice in almost every aspect of their lives that was unthinkable 20 years ago. But charities have largely ignored the rise in consumer choice in the way they treat their stakeholders. So how should charities respond to consumer choice - and even exploit it?

• Charities rally to rank third most trusted UK institution, behind army / NHS, but sector has long-term ‘trust volatility’ second only to banks
• Charities trusted most by women, under-45s, donors and worshippers; with different trust-triggers for different demographs
• Age/size of charity, brand awareness, charitable cause and external events also all impact on trust
• “Charity Commission’s statutory duty, alone, cannot build public trust in charities.