Mark 12pm on the 29th November in your diaries – the Big Give is back and we’re inviting you to #sponsorayoungleader!
Christmas is the season of goodwill, and we are once again giving our supporters the chance to double their donation for free during the Big Give Christmas Challenge!
The Big Give Christmas Challenge enables charities across the UK to fundraise for their programmes by doubling donations made throughout the campaign. The British Youth Council is participating in this online match-funding campaign for its 7th year.
This year, we are aiming to raise £8,000 towards our Leadership Opportunities for All campaign, providing skills training, qualifications and opportunities for aspiring young leaders from disadvantaged and underrepresented groups.
The campaign page is going to go live on the Big Give website from midday on Giving Tuesday, 29th November to midday on Tuesday 6th December. ALL DONATIONS to the British Youth Council will be DOUBLED for free throughout the campaign.
How does it work?
This year, we have doubled our usual target of £4,000 to £8,000, through necessity of need. With our generous pledgers and charity champion Four Acre Trust, we have already secured £4,000 in our match-funding pot.
We need to raise the remaining £4,000 through donations from our supporters, who are passionate about sponsoring future young leaders. Your contributions will provide the much-needed funding for our Youth Leadership Programme, so that we can provide 40 young people who wouldn’t normally have access to this kind of opportunity with the support, training and networks they need to become future leaders and make positive change for people like them.
Every donation made to our page on the Big Give’s website will be doubled for free from the matching pot. For example, when you donate £20, your donation becomes £40 etc.
Why donate?
The British Youth Council empowers young people and amplifies their voices by providing training and programmes tailored specifically to young people.
We are dedicated to reaching young people from all backgrounds and walks of life to ensure that they are represented democratically in the UK.
This year, all donations raised will be allocated to our Young Leaders Collective, which focuses on supporting young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, such as those experiencing homelessness, those living in poverty or in care, refugees, LGBTQAI+ young people, young women, refugees, and those with physical or learning disabilities. We facilitate their development and competency in key leadership skills to increase their participation in and lead effective social change.
Do you know a future young leader?
Perhaps you want to be one yourself?
“I’ve been able to feel more comfortable speaking up with what I believe in within our Young Leaders Group, and I’ve been able to transfer this across into my leadership roles outside of the group.
I love the idea of the Young Leaders Collective – all young people deserve a safe space where they can thrive. This is a chance for them to learn new skills in an environment rich with resources and like-minded people.”
Riley Millar, former member of the Young Leaders Collective
We know that with the cost of living, everyone is feeling the stretch, and we understand if you’re not in a position to support us right now.
But if you are fortunate enough, please consider giving a gift and getting it doubled for free.
A donation of £25 pays for a Young Leaders’ training accreditation, something they’ll carry with them into school and their careers (in fact, once it’s been doubled it will pay for two!)
A donation of £50 would cover the cost for a young leader to travel and attend an in-person learning conference, so that money isn’t a barrier and they can learn alongside their peers.
A donation of £107 will sponsor a young leader’s place in the Collective for 1 whole year, and pave the way for them to be a leader of tomorrow!
Please note, donations MUST be made via our campaign on the Big Give website, and not the British Youth Council website in order to be doubled.
If you’re struggling to think of what Christmas presents you want, why not ask your family and friends to donate to the British Youth Council instead of purchasing a gift for you, or vice versa – surprise them with your donation on their behalf?
And whether you are able to take part or not, please spread the word with your family and friends so they can also have the opportunity of doubling their gifts just like you do!
Our future leaders thank you!