• Last year, the campaign raised a record £57.4 million in one week
• More than 1,500 charities took part in last year’s campaign
• Applications are now open to charities across all sectors
Big Give has announced the opening of applications for its 2026 Christmas Challenge. Charities of all sizes are invited to apply to take part in the week long initiative, which continues to grow year on year and offers organisations the opportunity to double donations during the festive giving season.
Applications for the 2026 Christmas Challenge open on 11th May 2026 and close on 3rd July 2026 at 5pm, giving charities a limited window to secure their place in the campaign.
The Christmas Challenge, which takes place in early December to coincide with Giving Tuesday, enables charities to secure match funding from Big Give’s network of Champion funders, including philanthropists, foundations and corporate partners. This model allows public donations to be doubled, significantly increasing the impact of each contribution.
Confirmed Champions in 2026 include The Reed Foundation, The Childhood Trust, The Reed Educational Trust, The Monday Charitable Trust, The Hospital Saturday Fund amongst many others. Big Give is also delighted to announce a new partnership with the St. James’s Place Foundation, which will ring‑fence its Champion funding specifically for the hospice sector.
The campaign builds on strong momentum from previous years. In 2025, more than 1,500 charities participated, raising a record £57.4 million with the support of over 150,000 donors. The initiative has become a vital fundraising moment for the sector, particularly as charities continue to navigate rising costs and increasing demand for services.
Through the Christmas Challenge, participating organisations also gain access to a range of support, including training, campaign tools and marketing guidance, helping them to strengthen their digital fundraising capabilities and engage new audiences.
Last year, charities estimated that almost a third of all of the donations they received in the campaign were from new supporters. In addition, 92% of the charities reported increased confidence in digital fundraising and 98% of the charities would recommend the campaign to another charity.
Alongside flagship campaigns like the Christmas Challenge, Big Give also delivers targeted initiatives such as Small Charity Week, which focuses on supporting smaller organisations to build resilience and grow their fundraising potential.
Alex Day, Managing Director, Big Give, said: “Following another record-breaking year for the Christmas Challenge, which raised an incredible £57.4 million in just one week, we’re delighted to open applications for 2026 and welcome charities from across the sector to be part of this growing movement.
“The campaign continues to demonstrate the power of collective giving, bringing together Champion funders, charities and the public to achieve extraordinary impact. As demand for charitable services rises, the Christmas Challenge remains a vital opportunity for organisations to amplify their fundraising and reach new supporters, doubling donations at a time when generosity is at its peak.”
Applications are now open, with charities encouraged to apply early to take advantage of one of the most significant fundraising opportunities in the UK calendar.
For more information and to apply, please visit Big Give’s Christmas Challenge page
