Despite inflation, the French continued to send money to charities in 2022, an increase in donations linked in particular to the crisis in Ukraine. But the main collectors continue to be concerned because the need to help the most disadvantaged is skyrocketing.
S’il est trop tôt pour obtenir des chiffres consolidés pour l’ensemble de l’année 2022, la plupart des organismes contactés par l’AFP se felicitent que leurs donors ne les aient pas abandonnés, sauf peut-être les most modestes d’ among them.
But, by contrast, other wealthier donors “have been more generous than usual,” he continues: “Some told us ‘I’m writing a bigger check this year because I know it’s harder for you than ever.
The 2022 statistics must be viewed with caution in any case, due to the Ukrainian crisis that has generated an outpouring of exceptional generosity, but not necessarily renewable.
Thus, in the first half of 2022, donations increased by 10.7% compared to the same period of the previous year, calculated France Générosités, the professional union that brings together 136 associations and foundations.
A “Ukraine effect”
But without the amounts specifically earmarked for Ukraine, the increase would have reached only 1.6%, that is, “one of the lowest increases observed compared to other years,” worries Nadège Rodrigues, director of studies and communication.
In other words, by ruling out the Ukrainian particularity, “the increase in donations does not compensate for inflation”, which may be worrying for 2023, summarizes Nadège Rodrigues.
“Without the Ukraine, we would have had a 10 to 12 percent drop,” said Samuel Coppens, a spokesman for The Salvation Army, who forecasts a 5 percent drop in giving by 2023. “Some donors have told us ‘This year I can’t I help you, because first I have to help my grandchildren,'” she testifies.
However, “France continues to be generous”, thanks to “a fund of donors who have a real sense of the common good, who continue to make this effort”, testifies Samuel Coppens.
And fortunately, because “society is wrong, clearly”, and the need to help the poorest increases: “In our food distributions, we see more and more new beneficiaries, especially students, or retirees who receive a very small pension “. “Where two or three years ago we served 400 meals, now there are 600,” adds this manager.
For Jacques Malet, president of the “Research and Solidarity” network of experts and academics, charities can count on the “great loyalty” of their most generous donors.
“Anxious for the Future”
80% of the amounts contributed are contributed by around 20% of the donors, who are usually very interested, and in the long term, in the projects that are carried out with their money, “a bit like investors”, according to him.
Many of these loyal supporters also pay their donation by monthly direct debit, a payment method “less linked to the whims of the crisis,” observes Sophie Rieunier, a professor of management sciences at Marne-la-Vallée and a fundraising specialist. Of funds. .
In addition, many donors remain “economically comfortable”: “inflation also affects them, but for them the donation is not an adjustment variable”, adds Sophie Rieunier.
However, the associations are “anxious for the future” and are constantly looking for new methods to attract donors or increase their collection, says this specialist.
Thus, last December, the Secours Populaire volunteers who were wrapping Christmas presents in exchange for a small donation were equipped with terminals for bank cards, according to Thierry Robert, national secretary of the association.
It was good for them: people had less and less cash, “generosity goes from cash to dematerialized money.” And in the end, instead of a few coins, credit card users “will easily give up to five euros”, Thierry Robert rejoices.
Source: BFM TV
