Earth Day sees 146 charities unite for launch of Big Give Green Match Fund
Melanie May | 22 April 2022 | News
A new environmental fundraising campaign, the Big Give Green Match Fund, has launched today to coincide with this year’s Earth Day, with 146 charities taking part.
The campaign runs until 29 April and seeks to raise more than £3 million in total, with donations made to participating charities to be matched by Champion funders, sourced by the Big Give and The Environmental Funders Network.
By bringing 146 charities together for the first time in a larger campaign tied into Earth Day, the Big Give hopes to draw attention to environmental issues and the importance of taking action now to save the planet.
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The Big Give has raised over £190 million for thousands of good causes so far through match funding. Champion funders for this new campaign include; The Reed Foundation, AKO Foundation, Michael O’Mara Books, EQ Foundation and players of People’s Postcode Lottery with funding awarded by Postcode Earth Trust, amongst others.
The Green Match Fund campaign will support a broad range of environmental charities focusing on a variety of topics, including:
- Surfers Against Sewage will raise funds to clean up beaches, rivers and towns across the UK
- The Rivers Trust will raise funds to improve ecological health in our rivers
- ClientEarth will raise funds to use the power of the law to change how we live to protect life on Earth
- FareShare Midlands is raising funds to provide more people in need in its area with healthy food
- Young People’s Trust for the Environment is raising funds for an environmental education programme for primary schools throughout the UK
Simone Connolly, CEO of FareShare Midlands, commented:
“The challenges which arose during the COVID-19 pandemic were enormous. Having survived those, our members now find themselves battling to support local people in need who are struggling with worsening financial situations. As the largest food redistribution charity in the Midlands, we are participating in the Green Match Fund campaign to raise desperately needed money. Donations made during the week will provide vulnerable, hungry families with nutritious food while supporting our environmental mission to prevent unnecessary food waste.”
Alex Day, Director of the Big Give, said:
The latest IPCC report was clear. Cohesive and collective action is needed if we are to meet the 1.5c degree global warming target. That has to include how we support environmental causes. After a successful pilot in 2021, we’re delighted to launch the Green Match Fund in 2022.
“We believe this is the biggest and most exciting innovation in environmental philanthropy. We have curated a portfolio of over 100 of the UK’s best environmental charities, working on a range of issues, from rivers to tree planting, education, food waste, climate action, and much more. During the Green Match Fund week, thanks to support from over 40 Companies, Foundations and Philanthropists, every £1 donated to these charities will be doubled. That’s one donation, twice the impact.”
About Melanie May
Melanie May is a journalist and copywriter specialising in writing both for and about the charity and marketing services sectors since 2001. She can be reached via thepurplepim.com.