Businesses in the North East are most likely to donate to charity, a new report says.
The Charities Aid Foundation (CAF), which helps people and organisations give more effectively to charitable causes, said that only 25% of 海角视频 firms donated to charities in the form of time, cash or goods last year.
But North East firms showed more generosity, with 41% donating to voluntary groups. The CAF report highlights North East firms Greggs, Northumbrian Water, Newcastle Building Society, Port of Tyne and Ringtons for their charitable giving.
The lowest rate of giving was seen in the South East, where only 12% of firms supported charities.
CAF says firms should commit to donating at least 1% of pre-tax profits each year as best practice, and that charities would receive almost 拢5bn in additional funding if they did so. In its annual Corporate Giving report today, the organisation said British businesses donated an estimated 拢4.2bn in 2024, a similar amount to what was donated the year.
Neil Heslop, chief executive of the Charities Aid Foundation, says: 鈥淐orporate giving is not an optional extra. It is a cornerstone of responsible business that employees and customers expect. Yet, at a time when charities continue to face severe funding challenges, our research reveals that most British businesses are disengaged from meaningful community investment.
鈥淏est practice for business is to commit to donating at least 1% of pre-tax profits. Across the country, there are great examples of businesses working hand in hand with charities in local areas, and demonstrating that sustained, purposeful giving is certainly achievable.鈥
CAF is calling for the Government to reintroduce requirements for companies to publicly share their corporate giving as a way to improve transparency and motivate firms to support causes. The Department for Business and Trade has been contacted for comment.
Rob Williamson, chief executive of the philanthropic organisation Community Foundation North East, said: 鈥淐ommunity Foundation North East supports many businesses to give money, time and expertise to causes in our region. Great examples include Greggs, Northumbrian Water, Newcastle Building Society, Port of Tyne and Ringtons. These firms have a deep connection to communities through their history, customers, employees and supply chains. And, in a region distant from London socially and economically, 鈥榗harity starts at home鈥 resonates here.
鈥淏ut as CAF鈥檚 data shows, much more is needed, which is why we support calls for businesses to commit to donating 1% of pre-tax profits and offering work-based volunteering as standard.鈥
