Research - Exploring Trends and Improving Knowledge

About our research and insight

We have been publishing our independent research into charities and charitable giving for over 20 years. Our work influences the decisions of charities, companies, donors, policy-makers, researchers and journalists worldwide. Our publications are free to read and download.

Among the trends we explore are the changing finances of charities, patterns of individual giving, use of Gift Aid and other tax-effective giving methods, corporate social responsibility strategies, and trends in philanthropy. We have an extensive list of publications covering a broad range of topics across the charitable sector. We also publish data on CAF's Covid-19 Emergency Grant Fund and plan to grow our data sharing.

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Latest research

2022 Charity Landscape Report

Charity leaders tell us about the obstacles and opportunities their organisations are currently facing.

Read our 2022 report

The UK Giving Report 2021

This report marks the continuation of our examination of the impact of Covid-19 on the UK Giving landscape.

Read the report

World Giving Index 2021

With the challenges of Covid-19 on charitable giving around the world, this year’s World Giving Index tells a truly remarkable story.

Read our report

DIGITAL FOR GOOD: A Global Study on Emerging Ways of Giving

The Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at IUPUI launched its new research series, Digital for Good: A Global Study on Emerging Ways of Giving. Its UK report has been developed in collaboration with CAF, and chronicles insights regarding emerging trends in charitable giving in the UK.

Read the report

Publications Library

From UK Giving to the World Giving Index, for nearly 20 years our research has provided free, independent insight and knowledge. Our world-class publications inform charities, philanthropists, governments and companies around the world with unique information on charity and giving.

Visit our publications library

Research and insight blog

Our blog provides expert insight and commentary around our charities and giving research programme. All of our research is free to read, download and share.

12 May 2022

Digital for Good: A Global Study on Emerging Ways of Giving
The COVID-19 pandemic triggered the implementation and use of new ways of giving. While citizens across the world needed to follow strict lockdown measures, urgent challenges—often across national borders—had to be addressed in a timely manner. Findings from the 2022 Global Philanthropy Environment Index (GPEI) show that the COVID-19 pandemic transformed philanthropic activities as nonprofit organizations and social businesses introduced new and innovative ways of fundraising, often based on digital solutions.
5 March 2021

The future of giving – and what have we learned during the pandemic?
Whilst looking ahead has become more difficult than ever, it is vital that we try to identify and understand key trends and think through the possible future scenarios they may lead to. Based on extensive CAF research and insight, Daniel discusses giving behaviour and the broadening landscape for doing good.
8 December 2020

Charities have embraced digital during this crisis
CAF recently issued the fifth edition of our Charity Landscape report, which captures the views of charity leaders about the key challenges they face. While Covid-19 has dominated this year, one issue that we have tracked for several years has seen a notable change, namely technology and digital transformation.