In response to a troubling climate of social division, readers of The Guardian have rallied to raise an impressive £900,000 for the newspaper's 2025 charity appeal. The campaign, centred on the theme of hope, will directly benefit five grassroots organisations dedicated to fighting hatred and building bridges across communities.
Charities on the Frontline of Community Building
The substantial sum will be shared equally among the appeal's five partner charities. These are Citizens UK, the Linking Network, Locality, Hope Unlimited Charitable Trust, and Who Is Your Neighbour?. Each focuses on practical, local initiatives designed to counter racism, demonisation, and the far-right rhetoric seen increasingly on British streets.
Their work includes pioneering projects such as the Salaam Shalom Kitchen, a joint Muslim-Jewish food project in Nottingham, and the 174 Trust's 'dining across the divides' scheme in Belfast. In North Shields, community organiser Father Chris Hughes recently led a poignant Walk of Hope, highlighting local acts of kindness.
How Your Donations Will Make a Direct Impact
The funds raised will empower these charities to expand their critical work. Locality and Hope Unlimited Charitable Trust will regrant money to local groups fostering pride and solidarity. The Linking Network will develop its schools matching programme, connecting children from different faiths and backgrounds.
Meanwhile, Who Is Your Neighbour? will continue facilitating tough conversations on race and immigration to build empathy. Citizens UK will invest in training community leaders to campaign for positive change. The appeal also highlighted the success of Back on the Map in Sunderland, which revitalised a neighbourhood post-2024 riots through local enterprise and solidarity.
A Legacy of Reader Generosity
This year's appeal is part of a long tradition of Guardian reader philanthropy. Over the past 11 years, annual appeals have collectively raised more than £16 million for causes ranging from refugee support to climate crisis and child poverty relief.
While the current appeal closes at midnight on Wednesday, it is not too late to contribute. Every donation will directly support the vital, hopeful work of building a more united and tolerant society from the ground up.
