For the fifth year in a row, The EQ Foundation is one of the ‘Charity Champions’ of the Big Give Christmas Challenge, the UK’s biggest online match funding campaign.

How does it work?

The Christmas Challenge is a match funding campaign where donations to participating charities are doubled. The match funds come from two sources – charities secure some of these (pledges) over the summer. These funds are then boosted by funds from a Big Give Champion who contributes to the match fund. This collective pot is used to double donations from online supporters when the campaign is live.

“In 2019, the Christmas Challenge raised £15.6m for 587 charities, the largest ever campaign run by the Big Give.”

When does it begin?

The Christmas Challenge 2020 will take place from 12pm on the 1st December until– 12pm on the 8th December 2020 (while match funds last).

Who are we supporting this year?

The nine/eleven charities supported by The EQ Foundation this year are:

• Birth Companions – experts in providing specialist support to the most vulnerable pregnant women and new mothers in prison and the community.
• Breaking Barriers – empowering refugees living in the UK through education, training and employment.
• The Cares Family – help people find connection and community in a disconnected age:
  • North London Cares
  • South London Cares
  • Manchester Cares
• Chance for Childhood – supporting the most vulnerable children in Africa.
• The Borne Foundation – medical research charity committed to identify the causes of preterm birth, to save lives, prevent disability & create lifelong health for mothers & babies.
• Amber Foundation – help homeless and unemployed young people in crisis gain the confidence and skills to find direction in life, employment and accommodation
• Trees for Cities – planting trees, greening urban landscapes and growing stronger communities.
• Excellent Development – pioneering sand dams and supporting rural, dryland communities to gain access to clean water and grow enough food to eat, store and sell.
• Solar Aid – fighting poverty and climate change by creating sustainable access to solar energy in rural Africa.

You can read more about the impact each charity makes on the Giving is Great website.

The EQ Foundation

The EQ Foundation is a registered charity (No. 1161209) which supports programmes that improve social mobility and provide early intervention. Quality of leadership is paramount plus a high standard of governance via the board. The programmes must be able to demonstrate that they are achieving positive outcomes and that they deliver long lasting benefits.