Latest news from CAF (Charities Aid Foundation)

The UKís top 500 fundraising charities saw a 2.9% increase in their average number of employees between 2002/03 - 2003/04. Grantmaking trusts saw their average staff number grow by 3.7% over the same period. However, according to the analysis published by CAF (Charities Aid Foundation), these figures are considerably higher than the growth rate in employment across the sector as a whole.



The survey, Salary and Employment Trends, forms part of Charity Trends 2005, the definitive annual income survey of the major fundraising charities. The results show just what a ísuperleagueí the major charities are in relation to charity employment generally.

With an average workforce of 395 in 2003/04, the top charities compare well in size to the top 1% of the largest companies in the UK. Average total staff costs among the fundraising charities were 7.5 million, up by 8.5% in real terms.

Cathy Pharoah, Director of Research at CAF, commented: While there is evidence of income growth among the major fundraising charities in 2003/04 which would explain some of the rise in employee costs, it is also likely to be due to the increase in national insurance contributions.

Top salaries also grew in 2003/04. Average highest salaries amongst fundraising charities grew by 2.3% in real terms to 83,091.

Charity Trends 2005 is the most comprehensive analysis of the resources and expenditure of the UKís voluntary sector. It includes financial information on the top 500 corporates in global community involvement and charts the income and expenditure of the UKís top 500 fundraising charities. Charity Trends 2005 costs 284 or 142 for charities and is available by calling Tel: 020 7566 8210.