UK’s first nationwide match funding campaign exclusively for small charities raises over £1.8 million
Small charities have been thrown a vital lifeline after the UK’s first nationwide match funding campaign exclusively for small charities raised an impressive £1.8m in just seven days.
The campaign, launched during Small Charity Week (23–30 June), was led by Big Give, Global’s Make Some Noise and NCVO, and marked the first time a UK-wide match funding initiative focused solely on charities with an annual income under £1 million.
The campaign was unique in bringing together 189 small charities under one coordinated campaign, with each organisation fundraising directly from the public and having their donations doubled via a central match funding pot. Thanks to over £900,000 in match funding, donations made through biggive.org were matched by a coalition of philanthropists and funders committed to backing the power and potential of small charities. Generous champions included funds raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, The Reed Foundation, Greggs Foundation and others.
With over 9,200 public donations made across the week, the response underlined how vital small charities are to their communities and how urgently they need support. Big Give, Global’s Make Some Noise, and NCVO have announced ambitions to make the campaign a permanent annual fixture and are calling on new funders to get involved.
James Reed CBE, Chairman of Big Give, said: “Small charities are doing extraordinary and often unsung work in our communities, and desperately need support as costs rise, income falls and demand for their services increase. We are thrilled that the UK’s first Small Charity Week match funding campaign has prompted such a warm and generous response from the British public.
“It’s no exaggeration to say that this campaign will have secured the immediate futures of many of the organisations taking part. We’re excited to confirm our intention to make this campaign a recurring highlight of the UK’s fundraising calendar.”
Despite making up 85% of the UK’s voluntary sector and playing a crucial role in their communities, small charities receive just 12% of total sector income (Charity Commission for England & Wales). Many are now facing an uphill battle to survive. A survey of 700 small charities carried out during the campaign revealed that nearly half said their financial situation was so critical, they were at risk of closure within the next 12 months.
Suzanne Ryder Richardson, Director of Global Goodness, Global’s Make Some Noise, added: “This campaign has shown just how powerful match funding can be – not only in raising vital funds, but in shining a light on the essential role small charities play in our communities. The fact that nearly half of the charities we surveyed said they could face closure within a year shows just how urgent the need is. We’re incredibly grateful to the generous supporters who made this campaign possible, including players of People’s Postcode Lottery. Their backing has helped bring national attention to these brilliant grassroots organisations.
“We’re proud to support their work and are excited to help grow this campaign. I’d strongly encourage other funders and philanthropists who believe in the power of small charities to get involved and be part of the solution.”
To help amplify the stories of small charities, a number of celebrities also lent their voices in support, including: Lola Young, Tom Allen (Bromley Borough Food Bank), Capital presenter, Kemi Rodgers (Learn to Love to Read), Katie Piper, Catin Purgh (The Katie Piper Foundation), Michelle Ackerly, Gemma Shepherd (Smart Works Greater Manchester), Scarlette Douglas (Teens Unite Fighting Cancer) and Gary Hollywood (Baby Loss Retreat).
Saskia Konynenburg, Executive Director at NCVO, said: “We’re absolutely amazed by the swell of public support for the UK’s first nationwide match funding campaign exclusively for Small Charity Week. The generosity of donations and funders will make a huge impact to communities across the UK. We also hope the campaign has helped raise the profile of small charities to more people, who will continue supporting them.
This campaign demonstrates the power of generosity and collaboration. It’s essential that this initiative becomes a permanent part of Small Charity Week – establishing a reliable and ongoing source of unrestricted support for small charities, giving them the resources and recognition they need to thrive.”
Katherine Sellar, Community Programmes Manager at People’s Postcode Lottery, said: “Our players are proud to support small charities making a difference on the ground every single day. Match funding is a brilliant way to supercharge donations, and we’re delighted to have helped unlock this wave of public generosity for such a vital cause.”
To explore the participating charities and double your donation, visit: donate.biggive.org/small-charity-week-2025
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