Big Give, the UK’s leading match fund platform, has launched its inaugural Arts for Impact Matched Funding campaign in partnership with NPAC. The campaign is aimed at supporting arts and culture charities working to achieve societal impact across the UK. The campaign aims to raise £2 million for the sector over a period of 7 days between 19 and 26 March 2024. Applications from charities interested in participating are now open.

From providing positive mental health benefits to improving social skills, the arts play a valuable role in people’s lives. The campaign supports charities and organisations that have arts and culture as part of their core mission and who seek to empower their communities through inspiring creativity and fostering inclusive environments. NPAC has been working with arts organisations and other partners across the UK to develop networks of individuals interested in increasing support through the impact of arts and culture.

The campaign will see the public’s generosity multiplied, as donations to the participating charities will be doubled by the Big Give’s Arts for Impact match fund, which has been supported by generous ‘champions’, typically philanthropists, foundations or companies. The application window for arts charities to participate in the campaign is open until Friday 15 December.  Further information about how to apply and the application and selection process can be accessed via this link: https://biggive.org/artsforimpact/.

“We are very excited to launch our first ever Arts for Impact match fund campaign and to collaborate with our expert partner, New Philanthropy for Arts & Culture. The arts have the power to transform lives and communities, however, so often art programmes in the UK are inaccessible due to lack of funding. This campaign aims to provide funding to charities who are seeking to make a transformative impact in the arts and culture sector.” Alex Day, Managing Director of Big Give

“This new fund represents a significant opportunity for the arts and culture sector to look for new support beyond traditional arts patronage. We are delighted to be partnering with Big Give, and grateful to the generous champions of this fund including Sir Alec Reed, and Arts Council England. I would encourage all arts and culture organisations to consider participating in this campaign, to maximise the potential support for their invaluable work.” Sir Vernon Ellis, NPAC Chair

“Philanthropy is a vital part of funding for culture in the UK, and innovative ways of raising money, such as match funding, including this, enabled through the generosity of the Big Give, Sir Alec Reed and other individuals, can help cultural organisations to bring the brilliant work they do to more people in more places across the country. We’re delighted to work with Beacon Collaborative and New Philanthropy for Arts and Culture on this initiative, and look forward to seeing the impact it creates.” Tonya Nelson, Executive Director, Enterprise and Innovation, Arts Council England