Almost two thirds of charities have cut staff and essential services as they face mounting pressure from declining income, workforce exhaustion and falling public donations, new research has revealed.
The overwhelming majority have cautioned they are contemplating departing their positions amid challenging conditions across the sector, according to experts at Rathbones.
Research conducted by the investment specialists discovered that 95% of sector executives are considering their departure.
The survey of 100 charity leaders also revealed that 64% have already been forced to implement redundancies and reduce essential services due to financial pressures.
Andy Pitt, head of charities at Rathbones, said: "Our research shows that charities are being forced into taking drastic measures such as halting stock market investments, selling assets and making redundancies in order to keep afloat amid plummeting income.
"These are impossibly difficult decisions to make and many think it will be a year or two until they can expect their income to increase again."
The research discovered that charities have been struck by a "perfect storm" of diminished income resulting from reduced donations alongside escalating pressure on charity personnel.
Nearly half of charities reported their income has declined between 10% and 15% over the past two years.
Most surveyed charities cautioned that they anticipate the autumn budget will adversely impact their organisation, whilst 87% already worry they cannot accommodate higher wage and National Insurance costs which took effect earlier this year. Mr Pitt stated: "º£½ÇÊÓƵ charities are entering the Autumn Budget with genuine concern.
"Many are already navigating the pressures of reduced donations and rising operational costs, including higher minimum wages and employers' National Insurance contributions.
"With 70% of charities expecting financial impacts from the upcoming Budget, there is real anxiety about how potential tax rises and benefit cuts could affect their ability to deliver vital services."
