Irish still donate despite recession

Irish people are willing to consider giving more time or money to charity despite the recession, new research has found. But they are put off by bank charges, “chuggers” and chief executives’ salaries.

The study, carried out by Pathfinder Research for the Forum on Philanthropy and Fundraising, also found people prefer to give to charities that have a “tangible vision and outcome”.

Barriers to giving included financial uncertainty, bank charges, a lack of connection with the cause, and charities not being open about administration costs and chief executives’ salaries.

Chuggers, who try to convince people on the streets to set up regular bank payments to charities, were seen as “intrusive” and “over the top”. People were also unhappy about spending on “too much glossy paraphernalia” telling them where their money went.

Assuming affordability, individuals were more likely to increase the amount given or consider regular donations if they trusted that “more money goes directly to the cause” and could see the results of their giving. There might also be a role for incentives such as tax relief and matched giving, the research found.

The launch of the research yesterday followed the publication of a report from the forum last summer. It found there was a need for a national giving campaign and for planned, rather than ad-hoc, giving in Ireland.