Confronting the cost of living crisis 

2 August 2022

As the cost-of-living crisis continues to unfurl and affect so many in need, NPC has responded by publishing a guide, Confronting the cost of living crisis – NPC (thinknpc.org) on how funders can help charities support those who need help the most, as they experience an increase in need and demand coupled with fewer donations.

The guide soberly lays out some statistics of the crisis which could be as large as Covid-19, if not larger. The poorest households spend a larger proportion of their income on food, energy, and fuel, where prices are rising fastest. Unlike those who are better off, there’s not much to cut back on, and The Joseph Rowntree Foundation calculates that low-income families will spend a fifth of their budget on energy alone this year.

The report makes several recommendations to philanthropists and funders on how they can ensure charities can continue supporting those who need it the most in a time of worsening hardship. Some of these suggestions include:

•    Award all new grants on an unrestricted basis and removing restrictions on recent grants
•    Increase the regularity of giving and the amount given
•    Consider rebalancing your giving as needs change, and work with local authorities and local foundations to reach those who need your help.