Intelligent Giving - Oxfam - Comments

Oxfam's charitable expenditure

Nathanael — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 13:04:06 +0000

Hi Steve,

Thanks for your comment. As a result of your enquiry, I did have quite an extensive search on the Oxfam website, but could not find the 79% figure. No matter. I'm sure it is there.

We calculate charitable expenditure by figuring out what percentage of a charity's overall expenditure went on charitable activities. We do this from 'the statement of consolidated financial activities' in a charity's annual report. It's easy to work out. We just divide 'charitable activities' figure by the 'total resources expended' figure. Some charities calculate their charitable expenditure in different ways, and that's fine. We just feel that our way is simple and understandable.

In fact,the figure above (73%) is from last year's Oxfam accounts (2005-6). The 2006-7 accounts have just come out. ASAP, we will update this profile to 2007. I did calculate the 2007 charitable expenditure ratio, and it came to 72%.

Charitable expenditure ratios can get quite political with different charities trumpeting varying figures, that 'prove' how efficient they are. At 'Intelligent Giving', we take a reasonably relaxed view towards it all. We realise that governance costs, costs of generating funds, and other associated costs, can amount to quite a lot. As long as a charity doesn't spend too little on its charitable activities (around 70% is absolutely fine), then we are not bothered by the figure.

In fact, as you will surely know, the most important point is not what percentage an outfit spends on 'charitable activities', but how they spend that money. Is the money actually making a difference? Is it going to the right places? Is it being handled by the right people? And from Oxfam's impressive track record, you can be pretty sure that it is.

Please reply if you have more questions or queries

Nat Ogborn, Intelligent Giving

Whats 6p ?

Steve Ryan — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 10:58:33 +0000

This site says that 73% of Oxfams income is spent on charitable work ,but the Oxfam site says 79 % ?????

My main issue with Oxfam is

LMC — Wed, 22 Nov 2006 08:36:48 +0000

My main issue with Oxfam is the wretched begging letters addressed "To occupier" with free pen. Yes, I know it must work and be cost-effective, or they wouldn't do it. But I don't give to *any* organisation that adds to my rubbish/recycling pile.

(For the record, I've been signed with Mailing Preference Service for years and am anxiously awaiting for the Post Office to get its act together and action the "Please don't give me unaddressed mail" request I sent them :non-existent rolleyes emoticon:)

On a more positive note: "big up" to Oxfam for helping the Ethiopian Government to take on Starbucks in Ethiopian coffee farmers' (IMO completely justified) attempt to retain intellectual property rights over Ethiopian names.

Oxfam

Luke FitzHerbert — Tue, 21 Nov 2006 23:20:27 +0000

I particularly like the element of self criticism in many Oxfam reports. International development is appallingly difficult, but you would never guess this from the reports of many charities.

Luke FitzHerbert

Oxfam

admin — Thu, 28 Sep 2006 14:26:23 +0100

Oxfam

GIANT PUSHES ANTI-POVERTY PROJECTS

The veteran heavyweight is well known for disaster relief but it spends almost as much (and wants to spend more) on development - helping people work their way out of poverty. It works with more than 1,000 partner organisations in 75 countries. Oxfam's clear annual report suggests a well-managed outfit that's more sensitive than most to its beneficiaries.

Are you from this charity? Have your say.

QUALITY OF REPORTING What is this?	89%
How much info does the charity want to share? This score, taken from our search for 43 key points in the annual report, gives the answer. Top mark is 100%. Anything over 70% is a good effort.
SIZE OF CHARITY... What is this?	Super size
We only profile the largest charities in England & Wales, and our sizes are relative to the largest and smallest among them. So where we describe a charity as 'Small', it is still much larger than the national average.
HIGHEST SALARY What is this?	£80k to £99k
Taken from the vague bandings given in annual reports; note that 'Under £60k' could be £9k or £59k. Nonetheless the number of bars should roughly correlate with the 'Size of charity' bars.
RESERVES WOULD LAST... What is this?	2 months
If income dried up, how long could work continue? 3-12 months is normal. Less may be precarious. 12+ months may be over-cautious (or if very high, may represent the value of the charity's property).
ETHICAL INVESTMENT POLICY What is this?	Unknown
We asked the charity if it has an ethical investment policy. If yes, it gets an angel. Those with no policy but which don't invest in tobacco/arms get a halo. Those without investments, or who didn't respond, appear neutral. Those with stakes in arms/tobacco get a fallen angel.

But don't take our word for it...

We take no cut
visit the charity's donation page

Reviewed: 2007-12-10 Accounts ending: 2007-04-30

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IN SHORT

Who/what it helps

People in poverty
People in poor countries

Where

Worldwide

Providing

Development programmes
Disaster relief
Grants to other organisations
education
Public campaigning on poverty

IF YOU LIKE THIS CHARITY
YOU MIGHT LIKE...

VITAL STATISTICS

ANNUAL EXPENDITURE

£297,200,000

What is this?

Of all the charities we profile...
- Less than £1m is tiny
- £1m to £5m is small
- £6m to £10m is medium
- £11m to £50m is large
- Above that is very rare

SPENT ON CHARITABLE WORK

71%

The rest usually goes into raising more income. A little covers legal requirements.

Intelligent Giving - Oxfam - Comments

Oxfam's charitable expenditure

Whats 6p ?

My main issue with Oxfam is

Oxfam

Oxfam

Oxfam

GIANT PUSHES ANTI-POVERTY PROJECTS

QUALITY OF REPORTING

SIZE OF CHARITY...

HIGHEST SALARY

RESERVES WOULD LAST...

ETHICAL INVESTMENT POLICY

But don't take our word for it...

IN SHORT

Who/what it helps

Where

Providing

IF YOU LIKE THIS CHARITYYOU MIGHT LIKE...

VITAL STATISTICS

IF YOU LIKE THIS CHARITY
YOU MIGHT LIKE...