A week-long small charities' match funding campaign, which took place last month for the first time, has raised £1.8m.

The campaign was run by match funding platform Big Give, the Make Some Noise charitable arm of media firm Global and the charity body NCVO.

A total of 189 small charities were supported, backed by public donations and more than £900,000 from the campaign’s match funding partners, including People’s Postcode Lottery, The Reed Foundation and the Greggs Foundation.

During the week of activity (23-30 June) more than 9,200 public donations were made.

The campaign revealed last month that nearly half of 700 small charities it surveyed are warning their financial situation, “is so grave that they’re at risk of closure within a year”.

“Small charities are doing extraordinary and often unsung work in our communities, and desperately need support as costs rise, income falls and demand for their services increase,” said Big Give chair James Reed.

“We are thrilled that the UK’s first Small Charity Week match funding campaign has prompted such a warm and generous response from the British public.

“It’s no exaggeration to say that this campaign will have secured the immediate futures of many of the organisations taking part.”

He also confirmed that the campaign will be held annually.

“This campaign has shown just how powerful match funding can be – not only in raising vital funds, but in shining a light on the essential role small charities play in our communities,” added Global director Suzanne Ryder Richardson.

“The fact that nearly half of the charities we surveyed said they could face closure within a year shows just how urgent the need is.

“We’re incredibly grateful to the generous supporters who made this campaign possible, including players of People’s Postcode Lottery. Their backing has helped bring national attention to these brilliant grassroots organisations.

“We’re proud to support their work and are excited to help grow this campaign. I’d strongly encourage other funders and philanthropists who believe in the power of small charities to get involved and be part of the solution.”

Those supported include Merseyside based youth mental health support charity Be Free Campaign, which raised over £10,000, and music for disabled people charity Soundabout, which received £21,000 from the campaign.

NCVO executive director Saskia Konynenburg added: “We’re absolutely amazed by the swell of public support for the UK’s first nationwide match funding campaign exclusively for Small Charity Week.

“The generosity of donations and funders will make a huge impact to communities across the UK. We also hope the campaign has helped raise the profile of small charities to more people, who will continue supporting them.

“This campaign demonstrates the power of generosity and collaboration. It’s essential that this initiative becomes a permanent part of Small Charity Week - establishing a reliable and ongoing source of unrestricted support for small charities, giving them the resources and recognition they need to thrive.”

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