MOSCOW, 9 December 2024. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the findings of a monitoring study among Russians devoted to charity conducted.

Actual charity…

Over the recent 4–5 years 73% of Russians have participated in charities which is the highest record over the entire measurement period (since 2007). This confirms that interest in this topic, especially compared to 2007, 2009 (46-50%). Besides that, the share of those who engaged in any charity activity has decreased to 25%, which is twofold lower than the 2007 figure (50%).

Russians are less likely to give alms (22% in 2024 vs. 30% in 2017 and 36% in 2007), and more likely to engage in systematic charity. The current survey suggests that 27% of Russians transferred money into the accounts of charity organizations, and they did it seven times more often than in 2007 and 2009 (3-4%). Also, Russians engage in charity events more actively (11% in 2024 vs. 2-4% in 2007, 2009) and volunteering (10% in 2024 vs. 2-3% in 2007, 2009). Direct transfer of funds to the accounts of persons on need has become less popular (from 32% in 2017 to the current 22%).

Donating clothes, toys to orphanages, nursery homes and homes for the disabled persons is still common (27%; 27% in 2017; 30% in 2019).

Those who are more likely to engage in charity activities are women (77% vs. 68% of men) and working-age Russians (Zoomers, Millennials and the Reform generation — 76-80%); this share is lower across older generations (Thaw and Stagnation generations) (52-67%). The share is higher among those who have higher and incomplete higher education (78%), respondents with good income (78%), residents of megacities (Moscow, St Petersburg and million-plus cities – 78%, each), as well as those who actively use the Internet as the main source of information or prefer a mixed media consumption model (TV and Internet) — 77-78%.

Older millennials more often donate clothes and toys (34%) and transfer money into the accounts of persons in need (30%). Zoomers actively volunteer (27% vs. 10% of total respondents).

In addition, the number of those who engage in charities on a regular basis has increased (82% of those who engage in charities, which is a record high over the entire measurement period).

…and potential charity

Charity potential is rather high; there-quarters of Russians (74%) say they are willing to engage in charities in the future; this figure has increased by 6 p.p. since 2019. Even those who have not given to charity favor the idea of charity (49%).

The younger Russians are, the more charity potential they have (84% of Zoomers and 57% of those belonging to the Thaw generation); the same thing applies to income (84% of those with good income and 65% of those with bad income).

Potentially, half of respondents would willingly donate clothes (53%), however this type of charity is less popular (down 8 p.p. since 2019). Russians are also less likely to be interested to directly transfer money to persons in need (39%, −4 p.p.). However, volunteering (33%, +8 p.p.), transferring money to the accounts of charitable organizations (36%, +9 p.p.) and participation in charity events (27%, +4 p.p.) have become more common. Giving alms (28%) would be of interest for those who are ready to give to charity (2019 — 25%).

Women show interest in various charity activities: donating clothes (59% vs. 46% of men), volunteering (37% vs. 28%), giving alms (30% vs. 25%) and charity events and concerts (31% vs. 23%). Financial participation (transferring money to the accounts of funds and individuals) is often preferred by the working-age respondents who could give to charity – 36-46% (vs. 25-32% of those who belong to the Stagnation and Thaw generations). Zoomers are interested in volunteering (52%), as well as charity events and their organization (38%); they are also ready to give alms more often than other respondents in this group (37%). As to donating clothes, it is common for older millennials (64%).

Why do we not help?

Every fifth Russian (20%, -8 p.p. compared to 2019) is not willing to engage in charity activities. They are often older age Russians (26-37% in the Stagnation generation and the Thaw generation vs. 12% among Zoomers), persons with incomplete secondary education (28%) and poor financial situation (28%).

The basic reason why respondents are not willing to give to charity is low income (46%); 21% point out health issues; another 9% mention age. However, 13% Russians don’t engage in charities because of lack of time; 10% distrust those who are in charge of charity events and fundraising.  Other reasons discouraging people from engaging in charity work are as follows; no desire (6%); having a big family and children to take care of, no opportunity; the state should be occupied with that (4%, each); I solve my own problems (3%). And only 2% say they are lacking information about charities.

All-Russian VCIOM-Sputnik telephone survey was conducted December 3, 2024. A total of 1,600 respondents aged 18 and older took part in the survey. Survey method: telephone interview, stratified random sample based on a complete list of mobile phone numbers in use in Russia. The data were weighted for socio-demographic characteristics. The margin of error at a 95% confidence level does not exceed 2.5%. In addition to sampling error, minor changes to the wording of questions and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.

Key effectiveness indicators, survey of December 3, 2024:  cooperation rate (CR)* = 0.7725; minimum response rate (MRR)** = 0.0226; response rate (RR)*** = 0.0940. Calculations are based on corporate standard https://profi.wciom.ru/principy_standarty/korporativnyj-standart-po-izmereniyu-rezultativnosti-oprosov-sputnik-vciom/

* CR: the number of complete interviews divided by the sum of: а) complete interviews and b) non-interviews with eligible respondents.

** MRR: the number of complete interviews divided by the sum of: а) complete interviews, b) interrupted interviews after successful screening and c) all the respondents where it is unknown whether they meet the selected criteria or not.

 ** RR is calculated in the same way as MRR, with the only difference that the number of respondents with unknown eligibility decreases proportional to the percentage of eligible cases in the total number of respondents with identified eligibility or non-eligibility.