Inside Echo Impact: How We Keep Our Costs Low and Impact High

One of the questions we hear most often is: “How much of my donation actually goes to the people you help?”

We’re proud to answer: as much as possible — always.

From day one, Echo Impact was built on a promise: keep administrative costs between 0–10%, so the vast majority of donations go straight into creating real change. And we’ve kept that promise without cutting corners on quality or impact.

Why We’re Different

Many charities (often out of necessity) spend a significant portion of their income on staff salaries, office space, and operational costs. In some cases, this can reach 80–90% of all donations. That’s not the model we believe in.

Our approach is simple:

• Volunteer-Led – No paid staff, just people giving their time and skills freely.

• Minimal Overheads – We don’t rent expensive offices or buy unnecessary equipment.

• Smart Spending – Essential costs like fuel and transport are kept as lean as possible.

When We Can’t Deliver Directly

We know there will be moments when our own volunteer hands are tied — whether it’s due to bad weather, limited resources, or situations that require specialist support. In those times, our charity model allows us to provide direct grants to trusted local partners, such as food banks and approved charities, carefully chosen by our trustees.

For anyone unfamiliar, trustees are the guiding chairs of the charity. They are the ones who make considered, thoughtful decisions about how and where our help can do the most good.

Before Echo Impact was even formally established, we experienced this first-hand. We visited a local food bank, toured their space, and met some of the people who rely on it for themselves and their families. Seeing the dedication of the volunteers and the relief it brought to those in need left no doubt in our minds — this was an organisation we wanted to support. As the saying goes, “when you know, you know.”

Every grant we give is chosen with the same care and conviction, ensuring that funds are placed exactly where they will have the greatest impact. So, even when we aren’t the ones placing a care package into someone’s hands, we can still be the reason that help reaches them.

Your Pound in Action

Here’s how a typical £10 donation might be used:

• £9.20 – Direct to programmes: care packages, outreach supplies, and grants to partners.

• 80p – Essential running costs like fuel to deliver those packages.

The result? Maximum impact with minimal waste.

Transparency You Can See

We don’t just talk about keeping costs low — we show you. Our Transparency & Trust page breaks down our income, spending, and results, so you can see exactly where your support goes. Every pound has a purpose, and every donor has the right to know that purpose.

———————————————————————————————————————

At Echo Impact, our focus isn’t on growing into a large organisation with high running costs. It’s on making a difference, one package, one meal, and one moment of dignity at a time. By staying lean, transparent, and deeply committed, we ensure your generosity creates the biggest possible impact.

[View Our Transparency & Trust Page] [Donate Now]