Factors encouraging donations to refugee support charities

UK charities that support refugees are known to experience much difficulty when attempting to raise funds. Indeed, many members of the public who donate generously to other types of charitable organization seem unwilling to give to refugee charities. The present study investigated the possible influences of several variables that might induce people who routinely donate money to other types of cause, but who have never donated to a refugee support charity, on their willingness and likelihood to give to this kind of organization. The variables examined were the role of threat perceptions held by individuals regarding refugees, social dominance orientation, moral identity, political orientation, involvement with religion, age, gender, level of education, and nationalistic tendency. Potential donors’ views on the organizational “warmth” and “competence” of refugee charities were also explored. A survey of existing donors to genres of charities other than refugee support organizations was completed and the results analysed, followed by the development of a series of suggestions regarding how relevant themes might be incorporated into the fundraising appeals of refugee charities.