How to apply for a BBC charity appeal broadcast
Howard Lake | 13 April 2010 | Blogs
While Comic Relief/Sport Relief and BBC Children in Need tend to gain most coverage in terms of the BBC’s support for charities, there are a number of opportunities for promoting a charity and its need for funding via the BBC. Indeed, there are probably more than you were aware of, so do explore the BBC’s list at
www.bbc.co.uk/charityappeals/apply/
As well as the obvious opportunities such as Radio 4 and Lifeline, together with the much sought-after Blue Peter appeal, there are also national appeals specific to BBC Wales, BBC Northern Ireland, and BBC Scotland. There are also opportunities throughout England on BBC Local Radio.
There is even a grant-making trust associated with the BBC, the Grace Wyndham Goldie (BBC) Trust Fund, but this provides assistance only for people currently or previously in broadcasting, their children and dependants.
It is not just the big national charities that get the chance to promote their appeals via Lifeline and the other appeal opportunities. A quick look at the list of recent Lifeline appeals shows a wide range of charities.
While income from these appeals does seem to vary considerably, the BBC points out that “each year, BBC audiences raise around £100m, benefiting hundreds of charities across the UK and overseas”.
www.bbc.co.uk/charityappeals/
About Howard Lake
Howard Lake is consultant editor of UK Fundraising. He founded the site in 1994 and successfully sold it in 2022. As director of Giving X Ltd he is exploring growing giving on a massive scale.
He is the founder of Fundraising Camp and co-founder of GoodJobs.