| Abstract: | Recent evidence that people's trust in charities is low holds serious implications for a sector that needs high levels of public confidence and support to thrive. This paper reports on qualitative focus group research initiated by the Third Sector Foresight Consortium on Trust, set up by the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) and the Henley Centre. Strong negative views about fundraising and marketing strategies, ‘fat cat’ salaries and fraud are only partially offset by favourable opinions of the aims and role of charities in society. There appears to be a ‘blurring’ of the voluntary sector's identity and boundaries in the public mind, with overlaps with the state and business sector threatening to obscure the distinctive character of charity and widespread suspicion of the abuse of charitable status. A consequent demand for greater openness and accountability focuses on information about charity finances and performance measurement. Suggestions for further research and strategies for the charity sector to respond to the findings conclude the paper. Copyright © 1999 Henry Stewart Publications |
