Farmers in the Philippines transplant seedlings into small paper cups with cocopeat. The vegetable nursery is part of Oxfam and Rice Watch Action Network's assistance for their Typhoon Rolly (Goni) Recovery Program. Image: Juanito Bantong/Oxfam

Many hands transplanting seedlings.
Many hands transplanting seedlings.

How we spend your money

When it comes to running a huge world-changing operation, we make every penny count.

Oxfam spends all of its money directly or indirectly fighting the injustice of poverty.

On average for every £1 Oxfam spends, 79p goes on our emergency, development and campaigning work, 11p is spent on support and running costs and 10p is invested to generate future income.

Of the 79p spent on emergency, development and campaigning work, the breakdown is as follows: 42p went on humanitarian emergencies, 35p on longer-term development and 2p on campaigning and advocacy. (These figures are based on Oxfam GB's 2021/22 Annual Report and do not include our retail operations).

We understand that when you make a charitable donation, you want to know exactly where your money is going and we pledge to be clear and transparent when it comes to spending your contributions.

Our promise when you support Oxfam

How every £1 we spend breaks down

Oxfam's life-changing work would not be possible without generous people like you. We appreciate every single gift we receive and we work hard to ensure that not a penny is wasted in our fight to end poverty and injustice.

"My name is Pascaline, I am a public health promoter. These new hand washing kits waste less water. The kit also allows two people to wash their hands simultaneously without queuing at the handwashing station." Image: Arlette Bashizi/Oxfam

42p emergency response

Your donations help provide life-saving humanitarian assistance and support people to rebuild their lives with strength and fairness in some of the toughest and most fragile places on earth.

"It does not feel unmanly if I share housework with my wife. We are still equal. We need to work together and understand each other, and not to be apart until we grow old. Our love will still be the same," says Johnny. Image: Princess Taroza/Oxfam

35p development work

Your donations support our work beating poverty in 87 countries, where we work as part of a confederation, in partnership with communities. We support them with the resources they need to thrive, not just survive.

The Global Day Of Action saw many thousands of people marching for climate justice in cities and towns across the world. Image: Andy Aitchison/Oxfam

2p campaigning for change

Your donations mean that we can challenge the underlying causes of poverty and stand together with people around the world, who are driving their own change, to speak out against the injustices that cause poverty.

The first to cross the Trailwalker finish line in 2021 were the red team of The Queens Gurkha Signals, who finished in 10 hours and 19 minutes! Image: Nina Van Ginnekan/Oxfam

10p fundraising costs

10p is invested to generate future income. For every £1 that we spend on fundraising, we aim to raise £5.

Volunteers like Rejuana Begum, who live in the camps, play a key role in Oxfam's programs in the Cox's Bazar camp in Bangladesh. Image: Fabeha Monir/Oxfam

11p support and running costs

Just 11p in every £1 you spend is used to keep Oxfam alive, paying our staff and our running costs.