The numbers are in, and they’re striking: nearly 10,000 new charities applied to register with the Charity Commission last year. That’s the highest number on record.
On the surface, this shows something powerful: even in uncertain times, people are stepping up to create change and serve their communities. But for existing charities, especially those already competing for limited funding, it signals something else too:
👉 The charity sector is growing.
👉 But the funding pot isn’t necessarily keeping pace.
If you’re one of the people writing bids right now, especially in a small or overstretched team, this might not feel like good news. It might feel like a queue that’s only getting longer, with odds that are only getting harder.
So what does this surge in new charities mean for those already delivering impact? Let’s break it down.
More charities, same or less funding
The Civil Society report highlights that more charities are being created than at any point in the last decade. That means more missions, more voices, and more demand on the same pool of funders.
While some grant-makers have increased their giving, many haven’t. And even those offering long-term or core funding can’t always scale their programmes at the same rate as sector growth.
In simple terms: there are more charities than ever, and they’re often chasing the same funds.
For fundraisers, this means competition is growing. And so is the pressure to submit perfect bids, more often, in less time.
What this looks like for charity teams
We speak to dozens of charities each month, and this trend reflects what we’re already seeing on the ground:
This isn’t a strategy problem. It’s a capacity one.
- Fundraisers are exhausted. Writing dozens of bids a year has become the norm.
- Success rates are falling. Even excellent applications can go unfunded, purely due to volume.
- Application quality is slipping. Not for lack of care, but because teams are stretched too thin.
- Good ideas are stuck in drafts. Rewrites, word counts, and funder-specific tweaks create bottlenecks.
How funders can help
While funders can’t say yes to everyone, they can make the process less burdensome. Some already are:
- Simplifying forms and using open-ended questions
- Sharing clear eligibility guidance upfront
- Being transparent about success rates and timelines
- Accepting reused or standardised responses across applications
But let’s be honest: even with good intentions, most applications still require hours of writing, tailoring, and admin. And when you’re one person trying to keep the lights on, that’s a real cost.
Why we built Fundin
At Fundin, we believe that great work shouldn’t go unfunded just because the system is overstretched.
Our AI tools are built for charity teams who need to:
- Draft multiple bids quickly
- Reuse strong answers without starting from scratch
- Align with funder priorities, without losing their own voice
- Submit more, in less time, without burning out
This record-high growth in the sector doesn’t scare us. It motivates us. Because behind every funding bid is a team trying to make something good happen. And they deserve tools that work as hard as they do.
Final thoughts
A record number of new charities isn’t a sign the sector is broken, it’s a sign that people still believe in the power of doing good. But it also means more competition for funding, and more pressure on teams already stretched thin.
Until the system changes, charities need support to navigate it smarter, faster, and with less strain. And that’s where AI, built for the sector, not imposed on it, can be part of the solution. Want to see how Fundin can help your team write stronger, faster, more funder-friendly bids? Let’s talk.
