Launch of Green Match Fund to tackle environmental challenges

An environmental fundraising campaign has been launched by Big Give, the UK’s most successful match funding platform, to support charities that are tackling pressing environmental and ecological issues facing the UK and the rest of the world. Lasting just seven days the campaign aims to raise £4 million for over 178 charities. 

Now in its third year, the green match fund has already raised £4.6 million for over 250 charities. The campaign is a collaboration between the Environmental Funders Network and Big Give and this year there are a wide range of environmental causes participating including in the areas of water, endangered species and conservation of green spaces and biodiversity in the UK. 

This green giving week will make a huge difference to charities that are facing challenges from the cost of living crisis, as Big Give’s green match fund doubles the public’s donations and doubles their impact as it matches their donations with cash from philanthropists, foundations and companies. The campaign web page is here: https://donate.biggive.org/green-match-fund-2023. 

The need for the green match fund charities is also highlighted by data from the Charities Aid Foundation which highlighted that in 2021 only 7% of total UK charitable giving was to charities related to the environment,  conservation and heritage. 

Charities taking part in this year’s green match fund are very varied and have a number of high-profile celebrity supporters including: 

• Pipal Tree (Dame Joanna Lumley) 
• Bees for Development Trust (Monty Don and Kate Humble) 
• Global Feedback (Jamie Oliver and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall) 
• Gwent Wildlife Trust (Michael Sheen) 
• Heal Rewilding (Olivia Colman and Cel Spellman) 
• Project Seagrass (Coldplay) 
• RSPB (Sir David Attenborough and Deborah Meaden)
• Space For Giants (Lily James, Rita Ora and Anna Friel) 
• The Earth Community Trust (Paul McCartney) 
• Trees For Cities (Jon Snow and Michael Palin) 
• WWF-UK (Ellie Goulding) 

The campaign is also being backed by Megan McCubbin, a passionate zoologist, author, photographer and TV  wildlife presenter on BBC’s Springwatch and Autumnwatch. Megan is an ambassador for the Beaver Trust which is taking part in the campaign, and she has a particular interest in animal behaviour, evolution and the illegal wildlife trade.  

Alex Day, Managing Director of Big Give, said:

“More than ever the charities looking after the planet and everything that it offers and provides us humans are under threat. With funding cuts and the cost of living  crisis biting into their budgets, this year’s campaign will make a huge difference to so many good causes  whether it’s keeping our oceans and rivers clean, to saving our green spaces from rash development or  supporting endangered species.”  

Megan McCubbin said:

“Whether it’s bees, beavers, trees or our green open spaces, the charities and causes in this year’s campaign need our support more than ever. Big Give’s ability to double people’s donations is amazing and this will have a material impact on the charities ability to continue to make a difference.”