Jersey charities face 'worst fears' as donations fall 33% since 2021

Kevin Keen said the latest information on donations confirms their "worst fears" about the difficulties being faced by local charities

Money given to charities in Jersey has fallen by a third since 2021, according to new figures from the government.

A Freedom of Information (FOI) request found donations fell from nearly £17m in 2021, to £11m in 2023.

It revealed 89% of groups had seen rising costs and more than half reported a drop of fund-raising income.

The Association of Jersey Charities (AJC) said it "confirms our worst fears about the difficulties" faced by such organisations.

'Difficult point'

The 33% drop coincided with more than half of charities reporting an increase in demand for services.

In December, the AJC published a survey which revealed 90% of respondents said it was harder to work and deliver services in 2023 compared to 2022.

AJC chairman Kevin Keen said: "Each one of us will almost certainly know someone who has been helped by a local charity at a difficult point in their lives.

"Some of these charities had reserves and they would have been using those reserves. Some did not have any at all and are just about recovering from Covid.

"I think there is a distinct possibility we will lose some charities and that would be a tragedy. Not just for the charities themselves, but for the islanders who depend on the services that they provide."

He added: "Now really is the time to support them by making a donation ... anything will be appreciated."

He also pointed out that, under the Jersey Gift Support Scheme, charities would then get an additional 25p from the government for every £1 donated if more than £50 was given by anyone paying income tax.

Sarah Burns said the Prince's Bar in Harve des Pas was a community pub and work together for charity

Landlady at Prince's Bar in Harve des Pas, Sarah Burns, said she was a regular fundraiser.

"The cost-of-living crisis is crazy in Jersey and people do not have that disposable income anymore.

Ms Burns added the pub had been open for 13 years, and it chooses a different charity every year. She said it helped create awareness for that charity, whilst also raising funds.

Tim Ringsdore, Chair of Sanctuary Trust, said all charities are faced with a difficult time.

"General costs have gone up, it has been a very challenging year for raising donations. We had our big fundraising event at the end of last year which is our sleep out," he said.

Tim Ringsdore said the Island would be a "completely different place to live" without charities

"In 2022, we raised over £65,000 which was a fantastic achievement, but we only raised £35,000 last year. It affects our ability to support our residents and support the charity as a whole."

Mr Ringsdore said it would be a "catastrophe for the island" if a charity became insolvent.

He said: "It is an increasing problem for all charities. We are so fortunate to have such tremendous support from the public and all the volunteers.

"I think the island would be a completely different place to live if we didn't have the charities.

"It is essential all the charities survive and continue to provide their excellent support to the community."

The donation total of £16.8m in 2021 earned £4.2m in tax back, and the £11.2m in 2023 earned £2.8m in tax, the AJC said.