Campaign will support 19 groups
Match funding charity Big Give has launched its third Women & Girls Match Fund campaign, coinciding with International Day of the Girl on 11 October.
Running until 17 October, the campaign will support 190 charities dedicated to empowering women and girls worldwide.
Last year’s campaign raised over £1.2 million for 133 participating charities, attracting 5,308 donations from supporters. With even more charities involved this year, the campaign is set to make an even greater impact.
Notable participants include S.T.O.R.M Family Centre, backed by patrons Sabrina Elba and Will Poulter; The Malala Fund UK, founded by activist and Nobel Laureate Malala Yousafzai; and Ethiopiaid, whose ambassador is singer Natalie Imbruglia.
Women and girls face mounting challenges, yet the sector receives just 1.8% of UK grants from trusts and foundations. Big Give’s campaign aims to close this gap by providing vital digital fundraising support for charities committed to empowering women and girls. Partnering with Impact 100 London, Big Give has carefully selected charities transforming local communities through impactful, life-changing projects.
The campaign will multiply the public’s generosity, as donations to the participating charities will be doubled by the Big Give’s match funding ‘champions’, typically philanthropists, foundations, or companies. The Julia Rausing Trust, established in memory of the late British philanthropist Julia Rausing following her passing in 2024, has pledged £2 million to support women and girls’ charities on the Big Give platform over the next two years.
This contribution, along with the generosity of other champion donors, has unlocked £1,222,500 in match funds for this year’s campaign.
When equipped with the right tools and opportunities, women and girls have the potential to create lasting, positive change in their communities. This campaign will help amplify the crucial work being done by charities addressing these needs on the ground.
To support the campaign and donate, visit:https://donate.biggive.org/women-and-girls-2024
James Reed CBE, Chair of Trustees for Big Give, said: “As ever, the need to support charities focused on women and girls remains critical, especially given that only 1.8% of UK grants from trusts and foundations are directed to this sector. The incredible generosity of The Julia Rausing Trust, our champions, and the public will make such a difference to the broad range of critical on-the-ground projects run by the charities taking part in this campaign.”
Hans Rausing, Founder, Julia Rausing Trust, added: “The Julia Rausing Trust is a fitting legacy to Julia’s philanthropic vision and has been established to support causes that were close to her heart. I hope that the Julia Rausing Trust will bring awareness to her generosity, demonstrate the important work philanthropy does, and support causes and organisations which are the backbone of our society.”
And Heather Small, ambassador for Action Breaks Silence, said: “Supporting campaigns like this can make a significant impact on charities, especially those working to end violence against women and girls. With the combined generosity of match funders and the public, we have the power to bring about meaningful change. I am proud to support Action Breaks Silence as part of this campaign, knowing that together we can make a real difference for vulnerable women and girls.”
