circles2009

2009 Christmas Challenge

In December 2009, The Big Give launched its Christmas Challenge and raised an incredible £8.5million, smashing the original target of £6m.

The Big Give’s 2009 Christmas Challenge raised over four times more than the £2 million it raised in 2008, giving a much needed boost to the 175 charities involved.

This total was raised by creating a matched fund – generated through a combination of trustees, major donors and the charitable Reed Foundation – which was then used to double online donations.

Charities which benefitted from this fund, which is the world’s largest online matched charity fund, include the Prince’s Trust, the National Trust and the WWF.

Anna Kelly, development manager at the Open University, said: “We thoroughly enjoyed taking part in The Big Give matched funding challenge and were delighted that so many members of our alumni community made their very first donation to the Open University through the campaign.”