How To Get Involved With The International Day Of Charity 2024

Every year on 5 September, the world comes together to celebrate a range of important causes, all as part of the International Day of Charity. Here’s the history behind this important day, plus how to get involved for yourself.

What Is The International Day Of Charity?

The International Day of Charity is observed annually on 5 September, recognising the role of charity in alleviating human crises and suffering across the globe. It was established by the UN in 2012, and also commemorates Mother Teresa, the renowned Catholic nun who dedicated her life to helping the poor and marginalised, and who died on 5 September 1997. She received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 for her important work.

The UN started recognising the International Day of Charity in order to raise awareness for charitable initiatives and mobilise people to take action in support of important causes, from individuals to NGOs to stakeholders around the world.

The Goals

According to the UN, the International Day of Charity has three goals:

• Encourage charitable acts
• Raise awareness
• Highlight global issues

The most important issue at the heart of the Day, however, is poverty. ‘In the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development adopted in September 2015, the United Nations recognizes that eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions, including extreme poverty, is the greatest global challenge and an indispensable requirement for sustainable development,’ the UN says.

The UN also recognises the social bonding element underpinning charity, contributing to more inclusive and resilient societies.

How To Get Involved

Donate To Charity

Whether it’s an economic contribution or items like clothes, food, books and personal care items, donating to a local or national charity that supports a cause close to your heart is a simple but effective way to get involved with the International Day of Charity.

Volunteer Your Time

This could be on the Day of Charity or a commitment you make on 5 September, but volunteering is another great way to make a lasting difference for a cause you care about. If you’re in need of inspiration, keep your eye out for local initiatives like food banks, community clean ups and local fundraising events. In the virtual sphere, you could volunteer your time tutoring or mentoring people from lower-income backgrounds, or providing professional services to non-profit organisations if you are qualified to do so.

Host A Fundraiser

If no one nearby is fundraising for a charity that is important to you, why not set something up yourself? Whether it’s a bake sale, fun run, auction or a donation drive for clothes, food or school supplies, every little bit helps.

Spread Awareness

Almost everyone has social media – so why not put it to good use? Plenty of charity-focussed talks and discussions take place online, and you can also raise awareness for important causes on your own platform.

Corporate Involvement

Many workplaces offer a day away from the desk to support a charitable cause, and 5 September is the perfect time to do this. If your workplace doesn’t offer this, you could encourage them to donate to an important charity, match the donations of its employees, or host a fundraising event itself.

Charities To Donate To

‘This International Day of Charity, it’s important to support small,’ says Mary Rose Gunn, CEO of The Fore, a non-profit funding collective that distributes grants to the exciting and effective small charities transforming lives and society. Despite making up 96 percent of the sector, small charities are dramatically underfunded, with the largest 7 percent receiving 90 percent of funding income. But small charities are often where creativity and innovation are really flourishing, and supporting them can make a huge social impact.

‘Across the UK, there are thousands of small charities with wonderfully innovative solutions to everyday societal problems,’ says Mary Rose. ‘Despite this, they don’t have the platform to attract much-needed funding to unlock their full potential to grow and transform lives. We are passionate about helping them do exactly that and we urge the British public to help us. To these community-based organisations, every show of support is warmly welcomed. Collecting even a few hundred pounds can be the catalyst for massive change.’

We’ve teamed up with Mary Rose to curate an A–Z of small charities worth your donation this International Day of Charity. Find them below.

Amma Birth Companions: Amma Birth Companions is a Glasgow-based charity that provides essential, 1:1 support to vulnerable birthing people and parents who need additional care, information or advocacy.

Breadwinners: Breadwinners supports refugees and young asylum seekers through employment in a social enterprise that sells artisanal, organic bread.

CRIPtic Arts: CRIPtic Arts eliminates disablist barriers for creatives and for audiences, by offering exciting development opportunities to deaf and disabled artists, showcasing their work and campaigning against disablism in the arts industry.

Dementia Disco: Dementia Disco uses music to reconnect people with dementia to loved ones.

Escapeline: Escapeline keeps children safe from illegal exploitation and grooming in rural communities most at risk across the South West.

Face Equality International: Face Equality International is creating a world where everyone is treated fairly whatever their face looks like.

Glasbren: Glasbren regenerates land and communities through food growing and nature education.

Hotel School: Hotel School combats unemployment amongst homeless and vulnerable people by teaching them hospitality skills.

Innovating Minds: Innovating Minds provides accessible psychological support for disadvantaged young people within the school environment.

Jacari: Jacari aims to improve the English language skills and confidence of children aged 6-16 with English as an additional language (EAL).

Kingfisher Preschool: Kingfisher Preschool provides early years education for local children aged two to five and is the only Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ preschool in the Kingsand area of Cornwall.

Love4Life: Love4Life empowers individuals with learning disabilities and autism to make friends and find love.

Motivez: Motivez CIC is a young, ambitious community-driven organisation that aims to support marginalised young people in London to access long-term employment.

Northumberland Pride aka Pride Action North: Northumberland Pride serves the local LGBTQ+ community, addressing issues such as community integration, sexual health, and domestic violence in a region where there is insufficient access to this kind of support.

On Your Bike: On Your Bike (Recycle) Ltd delivers training and work placements to vulnerable and disadvantaged individuals by refurbishing donated bicycles, giving them the skills and confidence to access progression pathways to employment.

Pulp Friction: Pulp Friction CIC supports people with a variety of learning disabilities and/or Autism to get into the world of work.

Quest for Learning: Based in Oxfordshire, Quest for Learning aims for all children to leave primary school with the ability to read well and be confident about maths.

RollaDome All Skate: RollaDome All Skate uses skating to empower young people across London to achieve better futures.

Say Aphasia: Say Aphasia supports people to adapt to a life with aphasia, a condition that can restrict speech, reading, and writing abilities.

Thinking Black: Thinking Black empowers black students to realise their full potential, by improving their university prospects.

Upminster Baptist Church Men’s Shed: The Men’s Shed uses practical tasks to build friendships and bring people together, undertaking construction projects in the local community.

Voices for Life UK: Voices for Life uses the power of music to empower children to be happy and confident in primary schools in Bath.

Wicked Weather Watch: Wicked Weather Watch brings climate change to life for children by drawing on the personal experiences of Artic explorers and scientists who have witnessed the effects of climate change first-hand.

Youngwilders: Youngwilders is the only youth-dedicated organisation in the UK restoring environments to create better places for plants, animals and people.

Zest Theatre: Zest Theatre is a national touring theatre company creating new work to amplify the voices of young people.

Discover more at thefore.org