An estimated 15 million people gave money to animal charities in 2021 – more than a quarter of the UK’s population, with an average monthly donation of more than £20.
This makes it the most popular cause for donations, according to new research from the Charities Aid Foundation.
Animal welfare has been the most popular cause since 2018, when it first shared first place with children or young people. Since then, it has consistently been at the top, with the proportion giving to animal welfare increasing from 26% in 2018 to 28% in 2021.
Following animal welfare, the next most popular causes are children or young people (23%) and medical research (21%). However, according to Charities Aid Foundation’s figures, the numbers choosing to donate to these cause areas have been falling since 2019.
Alison Taylor, CEO of CAF Bank and Charity Services, Charities Aid Foundation, commented:
“Donating to animal charities can be seen as a way of protecting a vulnerable group, given animals are effectively voiceless and have few rights or laws protecting them. This cause is also diverse, incorporating the protection of wild animals as well as pets.
“This cause area can also include supporting environmental charities that protect the habitats of animals worldwide, including endangered species.”
On the GRIN Grants Database Index, the Animal Welfare category is the 24th most popular cause supported by grant-makers, with 80 potential funding sources.
With 10% of entries still to add to the Index, the top 10 most popular causes supported by grant-makers are so far:
1. Education (339 entries).
2. Children and Young People (331 entries).
3. Health (250).
4. The Arts (221).
5. The Environment (201).
6. Physical Disability (197).
7. Overseas Aid (155).
8. Social Welfare (145).
9. Social Disadvantage (141), and
10. Poverty (137).
The Charities Aid Foundation “UK Giving Report 2022” can be accessed for free on the CAF website.
If you’d like more information about the GRIN Grants Database, please email us at info@grin.coop.
Source: UK Fundraising.