As Christmas approaches, charities are ramping up their fundraising efforts to address the pressing issues facing many lives this winter. Big Give’s Christmas Challenge – running from 28th November to 5th December – will see charities seek donations from the public and unlock match funding from The Together Fund, multiplying the funding to make double the difference.

 

The Christian Funders’ Forum supports Christian grant-making trusts and foundations across the UK. Their combined giving totals more than £70m each year. Benefact Trust is a member of the Christian Funders’ Forum and we’ve made a personal contribution of £50,000 to The Together Fund. We resonate with the Big Give’s idea to multiply generosity and create a lasting impact in the world.

 

Some of the charities to benefit from The Together Fund’s donation will include:

 

● Street Connect, Glasgow - Offering hope and opportunity of recovery for individuals struggling with addiction.

● Barnabus, Manchester – Helping to break the cycle of homelessness for good.

● CURE UK - Providing life-changing surgery and rehabilitative care for children with disabilities in Zimbabwe.

● International Needs UK – Giving new opportunities to the Street Youth in Kenya.

● The Higher Place, London - Community support for older, vulnerable people.

● Musizi Joy Foundation, UK – Empowering women and young mothers in Kampala.

 

By connecting charities to funders and the public, and through offering fundraising campaign training and a national appeal platform, Big Give helps charities multiply their donations and, in turn, address major social issues. It works by inviting funding ‘Champions’ like the Christian Funders’ Forum to select the charities that connect most with their values. 

 

In 2022, the Christmas Challenge raised a staggering £28.6m for 1021 charities. This year, there are even more charities participating, and Big Give is hoping to match more funds than ever before.

 

Helen Gray, Benefact Trust Director, said: “Big Give’s Christmas Challenge is an incredible opportunity for funders and the public to come together and make a huge impact. Christmas is a time for giving, and we’re proud to join The Together Fund to support 56 inspiring charities. Our funding will help to tackle a wide range of social challenges; such as homelessness, food poverty, and loneliness– issues that are often exacerbated during the festive period. We invite everyone to join in where they can and help to make a difference to many lives this Christmas.”

 

Suzannah O’Brien, Christian Funders’ Forum, Chair, also commented: “The Big Give Christmas Challenge gives the Christian Funder’s Forum members a wonderful opportunity to maximise the impact of their giving and work collaboratively, which is one of the key forum goals alongside offering each other peer support; learning and sharing best practice and showcasing excellent examples of Christian work. The Together Fund is growing year on year and is a real celebration of Christian giving.”   

 

Alex Day, Managing Director of Big Give, said: “We are pleased to launch our 16th annual Christmas Challenge in aid of supporting charities working across the UK and internationally. This will be our biggest and boldest target yet, as more than ever, it’s vital that we continue to support charities working to address the pressing issues facing so many lives this winter.”

 

Find out more about the charities we’re supporting through The Together Fund: https://donate.biggive.org/christmas-challenge-2023/together-fund-23