Arts charities offered hope to raise funds in an increasingly challenging environment

Date: 19 Mar 2025

Karen Jones

Big Give’s Arts for Impact campaign launches to raise £2.5 million in support of 285 UK arts and culture charities making a positive societal difference.

Big Give, the UK’s leading match-funding charity, launches its second annual Arts for Impact campaign today in partnership with Figurative Philanthropy for Arts & Culture (FPAC, formerly known as New Philanthropy for Arts & Culture). Running until the 25th March, the campaign aims to raise £2.5 million to support 285 arts charities making a transformational difference in their communities.

From enhancing mental health for people with disabilities to providing free creative education for disadvantaged children, participating charities span music, theatre, dance, museums, galleries, and literature. Arts for Impact will support a diverse mix of renowned institutions, such as RADA and Almeida Theatre Company, as well as community-focused organisations making a big impact in their local areas, like Sunderland Culture.

The campaign is particularly important this year, considering the growing pressure on the UK’s arts, culture, and heritage charities. Many arts charities are bracing for asignificant rise in costs as employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs) increase on 6th April. A new analysis from Big Give estimates that the total cost to the arts sector is £210 million. While the change is expected to generate additional government revenue, which could see benefits to charities in the long term, it places a significant financial burden on charities now, particularly in the arts sector where funding is already under pressure. With arts charities making up 15% of the UK’s registered charities, many organisations now face difficult decisions, including staff cuts, service reductions, or potential closure.

Thanks to a range of generous philanthropic donors, Big Give and FPAC have secured £1.2 million in match funding, which has been allocated to participating charities to enable donations by the public to be doubled.

Building on last year’s success, which raised £2.85 million for 238 arts charities across the UK, this year’s campaign aims to provide even greater support during an increasingly difficult financial landscape. Last year, 12,386 public donations demonstrated the public’s strong appetite for backing arts initiatives that create meaningful social change.

One of the participating charities is ORA Choir, which nurtures young composers from UK state schools. Gareth Malone, a supporter of the charity, said: “This programme is such an inspiration, and it is absolutely lovely to see young composers’ work taken so seriously. I wholeheartedly encourage you to support the Big Give campaign for ORA Singers’ Young Composers’ Scheme, which nurtures the next generation of composers from state schools across the UK. I’ve seen first-hand just how transformational it can be.”

Daniel Craig, NYT Patron and alumnus, shared: “National Youth Theatre believed in who I was and who I could be. It is why I still believe in the National Youth Theatre and all the aspirational opportunities it brings to future generations. It is a badge of honour and one I still wear with pride today.”

James Reed CBE, Chair of the Trustees of Big Give and CEO of REED, said: ‘There are over 30,000 registered charities working in the arts, culture and heritage space, and for many of them funds raised in this campaign could make the difference between being able to continue with vital work or having to abandon it.

‘We have been contacted by many charities we work with and they are facing really tough financial decisions. This means that the campaign is even more important this year than ever before. The work of the charities taking part is crucial to our culture and society, and we know access to arts and heritage not only broadens horizons but is hugely beneficial to mental health.

‘Every pound donated by the public to the Arts for Impact campaign will be doubled through Big Give to help charities at this difficult time. It’s the perfect way to multiply your generosity.’

Sir Vernon Ellis, Chair of FPAC and member of the Figurative Board, said: “The arts are not just about creativity and expression – they are fundamental to the wellbeing of individuals and communities across the UK. From supporting mental health to fostering social cohesion and inspiring the next generation, arts charities play an essential role in our society.

‘At a time when financial pressures threaten their very existence, initiatives like Arts for Impact provide a vital lifeline, ensuring these organisations can continue their invaluable work for years to come. We are incredibly grateful to our generous funders for making this campaign possible and to the Arts Council England for its belief in FPAC’s mission.

‘By donating in Arts for Impact, you are not just supporting the arts – you are investing in a stronger, more connected society.”

A new campaign video featuring renowned author, poet, and broadcaster Lemn Sissay alongside young spoken word artists from the National Youth Theatre captures the transformational power of the arts. Watch it here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ok0iOiUzmzg

To learn more and donate, visit: donate.biggive.org/artsforimpact25

Subscribe here

Cazenove Capital appoints new Portfolio Director for charities team

Cazenove Capital, the wealth management business of Schroders in the UK, is delighted to announce the appointment of Hugo Ure who joins as Portfolio Director in its charities team.

Mar 12, 2025

Schroders Greencoat gains FCA approval to launch UK’s first wealth dedicated infrastructure LTAF

Schroders Greencoat announces it has received regulatory approval to launch a Global Energy Infrastructure Long-Term Asset Fund (LTAF), expanding Schroders Capital’s range of LTAFs available to the UK wealth market.

Mar 05, 2025

The challenge of greenwashing

An international regulatory overview.

Feb 26, 2025

Arts charities offered hope to raise funds in an increasingly challenging environment

Subscribe to the Citywealth Weekly Newsletter to learn more about Private Wealth Management.

Cazenove Capital appoints new Portfolio Director for charities team

Schroders Greencoat gains FCA approval to launch UK’s first wealth dedicated infrastructure LTAF

The challenge of greenwashing