5th September, 2016

UK sports charities see income rise since London 2012: CAF research

Amateur sports charities have thrived since the Olympics were held in London in 2012, new analysis released recently by the Charities Aid Foundation shows.

In the two years following the Olympic Games being staged in the capital there was an 11% increase in the number of large amateur sports charities in England and Wales.

During the same period, funding for amateur sports charities surged to £235 million per year - up 9%.

CAF, which promotes charitable giving and works with a number of sports charities, analysed the published financial returns of 4,200 charities which list amateurs sports as their sole cause between 2012 and 2014 - the most recent year for which data is available.

The analysis found that the post Olympics boost had mainly been felt by larger amateur sports charities - those with an annual income over £100,000.

Money received by these larger charities in donations and other sources of income grew 10% in the two years following London 2012 - up from £183.7 million to £202 million. The number of amateur sports charities with an income greater than £100,000 rose from 174 to 194.

Among smaller sport charities - those with an annual income less than £100,000 remained fairly stable, with £32.9 million shared between 2,698 organisations in 2012, and roughly the same amount shared between 2,619 organisations in 2014.

Susan Pinkney, Head of Research at the Charities Aid Foundation, said: "Once again the nation has been enthralled by Team GB and their heroics at the Olympics in Rio, winning medals in a wide variety of sports.

"Closer to home, it is fantastic to see that the sporting legacy left behind by the 2012 Olympics appears to be thriving.

"For the millions inspired by the brilliant performances of our Olympians, charities play a big part in helping to provide the funding, facilities and inspiration to get them to take up sports and be active.

"Many of our Team GB heroes have been motivated and supported by large and small sports charities and coached by volunteers on their route to success.

"While it is great to see the rise in income of sports charities across the UK, it'll be important to ensure that the vital role of smaller grassroots charities does not get overlooked. Following the inspiring success of Team GB in Rio, we hope to see an increase in the number of grassroots organisations dedicated to sport so we can continue to inspire physical activity across the nation and new generations of medal-winning athletes".

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