Comic Relief (U.K.)
/OVERVIEW: Comic Relief grantmaking focuses on helping refugees and displaced populations access safe shelter and basic necessities such as food and clothing. It also seeks to alleviate global poverty and many of the factors that contribute to the generational cycle of poverty, and makes grants to combat stigma against mental health and to provide access to high quality evidence-based support for those with mental illness.
IP TAKE: Grant seekers should take note that this is a living wage friendly funder that suggests that grant seekers increase their budgetary allowances to account for the annual increase in the living wage. This organization supports groups both big and small that address the root problems of poverty and devise long-term solutions to those challenges. This is a more accessible funder, but it doesn’t provide extra support or partnerships.
This funder is currently undergoing a reevaluation of its grantmaking strategy and has suspended accepting new funds for the time being.
PROFILE: In 1985, Richard Curtis, Jane Tewson and a group of friends decided to use comedy to raise money for vulnerable populations in Africa and the UK. On Christmas day that year, the group launched Comic Relief live on the BBC from the Safawa refugee camp in Sudan. And Red Nose Day, which raises millions of dollars each year toward the organization’s goal of “[a] just world, free from poverty” was established soon after the event. Comic Relief’s grantmaking priorities include helping Children Survive and Thrive, supporting new approaches to Mental Health and Gender Justice, and creating Safe Places to Live for the most vulnerable populations.
In the U.K., Comic Relief’s Red Nose Day has been around since the late-1980s and according to the foundation’s website, “...has become something of a British institution.” In the UK, Red Nose Day is a six week long fundraising campaign ending with a seven-hour long televised marathon airing on the BBC. In 2014, organizers in the U.S. launched their own Red Nose Day through Comic Relief Inc., an independent sister organization of Comic Relief U.K.
Comic Relief Inc. and Comic Relief UK should not be confused with the now defunct American Charity, Comic Relief USA, which was active in the 1980s and 1990s with fundraising telethons airing on HBO and hosted by comedians Robin Williams, Billy Crystal, and Whoopi Goldberg.
Grants for Refugees, Housing and Community Development
The Safe Places to Live program supports projects for people who are homeless, living in a refugee camp, or in slum conditions. It seeks to “help people find, build and settle into safe and secure places to live,” and “challenge the systems and attitudes that stop them.” According to Comic Relief, it “will support organizations that help safe passage for people fleeing conflict, violence or trafficking and provide care and advice to those seeking refuge or asylum.” Past grantees in the refugee space include Safe Passage and Help Refugees. Both organizations are helping young refugees in the U.K. Other major partners—who are also recipients—include Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, Children’s Health Fund, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Oxfam America, and Save the Children. To learn more about select grantees, download Comic Relief’s latest annual report.
Grants for Global Development and Public Health
Comic Relief funds international development and health through its Children Survive and Thrive program, which focuses on children growing up in poverty around the world. It seeks to support organizations that provide children with “a safe home, good nutrition and access to healthcare –so they can survive and get the best start in life.” Past grantees include charity:water, the National Council of La Raza, the National Urban League, Boys & Girls Club of America, Covenant House, and Feeding America. To learn more about select grantees, download Comic Relief’s latest annual report.
Grants for Mental Health
Comic Relief’s Mental Health program works to change the negative stereotypes surrounding mental health disorders. It supports people with mental health problems by providing “life-changing help.” Previously it has made grants to community based mental health organizations in Malawi, Sierra Leone, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. It also supported suicide respite centers across the U.K. Past grantees include Christian Blind Mission Limited, ADD International, and Empire Fighting Chance. To learn more about select grantees, download Comic Relief’s latest annual report.
Grants for Women and Girls and Violence Prevention
The Gender Justice program supports women all over the world who “suffer abuse, violence and discrimination because of their gender.” The program works to help people take control and “live safer and happier lives” and to “speak out and seek help.” Past grantees for this program include Literacy and Adult Basic Education, Jan Sahas in India, and Girls Empowerment Network. To learn more about select grantees, download Comic Relief’s latest annual report.
Important Grant Details:
Comic Relief grant amounts often range from £100,000 to £500,000. Comic Relief generally accepts unsolicited grant applications and requests for funding; however, it is currently reviewing its strategy and funding process and is not accepting unsolicited requests for funding at this time. Look over the application process here.
New grant seekers should also review the Funding Opportunities page to see what current initiatives Comic Relief supports, beyond its core grantmaking programs. Current initiatives change frequently, so grant seekers should be sure to look more than once.
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