Comic Relief is a major charity based in the United Kingdom, with a vision of A Just World Free from Poverty.
For over 35 years, Comic Relief has entertained and inspired people to give generously to support people living incredibly tough lives. We’ve laughed, we’ve cried and enjoyed many incredible moments along the way.
We know that when people come together to do something to fight poverty through humour, and fun, for communities here in the UK and around the world, great things can happen. Together, we’ve helped over 105 million people.
Comic Relief supports approaches to social change that offer something different, think outside the box or offer new thinking to achieve profound impact. With our support, people change their lives. You can read their stories here.
In 2023 we launched a new strategy, focusing on three key areas.
1. Alleviating poverty’s consequences and grip on people’s daily lives
We fund programmes that help people and communities overcome the many challenges they face.
Reducing the impact of poverty on daily lives through access to resources and meaningful support focusing on those most impacted and marginalised.
2. Tackling injustices that keep people in poverty
We support organisations and movements that strive for fairness and equity.
Strengthening community led organisations pursuing equity and justice for people experiencing poverty.
3. Standing with those in poverty harmed by climate change
We work in places with people who are already vulnerable and now dealing with the effects of climate change.
Identifying and supporting community led solutions to mitigate against, adapt to and protect against climate change.
Our Vision
A Just World Free From Poverty.
We believe everyone should be able to have a decent standard of living. To live life with dignity and respect.
Our Mission
Our goal is to drive positive change through the power of entertainment.
We use the power of humour and popular culture to engage people to help others and raise money to support organisations in the UK and around the world, working towards a Just World Free From Poverty.
Our mission combines Comic and Relief. We believe that helping others, whilst challenging, can be fun, even in the face of grave issues around us. We believe this because we’ve seen the power of people coming together to create change, through big campaigns like Red Nose Day and Sport Relief and small everyday acts, over our 30+ year history.
We know that a better world is possible. We believe that those closest to the issues have the best solutions, so we partner with amazing projects and organisations and provide funding to those organisations tackling poverty and injustice to make change happen.
Our Values
Have a sense of humour, always
Even if we’re facing adversity or fighting for change, we can raise a smile
Inspire a culture of generosity
Through unique relationships with schools, the public and fundraising
Break down barriers
By being brave, acting in solidarity, and standing up for what is right
Make meaningful change
Putting people with experience of the issues we care about at the heart of decision making
Walk the walk
Giving respect and positivity to the work of Comic Relief internally and externally
Share the stage
Enabling people to tell their own stories on our platform. And listening
Make it personal
We celebrate the diversity of experience as our greatest resource and strength
Our Impact
For Red Nose Day in 2024, we raised an amazing £40m and counting.
Some Key Headlines from the financial year 2022:
- £25.2m grants awarded
- 145 grants awarded
- 54% of grants awarded in the UK
- 46% of grants awarded internationally
Building an Inclusive Culture
We recognise diversity and inclusion is a source of strength in achieving our mission. We, therefore, welcome everyone, trusting what makes us different brings creativity, different styles and experiences to help us collectively do our best work.
That’s regardless of your gender identity, ethnicity, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, and social class.
Inclusivity
We are on a journey, but if you join our team, you will be part of a community that is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment where we want you to:
- Be valued for being yourself
- Do your best work, and be supported to break down barriers so you can succeed
- Be heard, respected, and treated as an equal, whatever your level, experience or background
- Be part of a team that is committed to making this happen – with our colleagues, partners, and contributors
How We Are Funded
Our Funding strategy focuses our attention on the following key areas:
- Alleviating poverty’s consequences and grip on people’s daily lives
- Tackling the injustices that keep people in poverty
- Standing with those in poverty who are most harmed by climate change
How the money is raised:
Red Nose Day 2024 and our annual Night of TV raised £40m and counting, thanks to generous donations from the public and their fundraising activities, and the continued support of our institutional and corporate partners.
In the 2023 financial year we also raised £4.5m from year-round fundraising including a winter appeal and digital giving and a further £3.5m from gift aid and other income. This meant that last year, we increased every £1 donated by the public to £1.44 through gift aid, partnerships and match-funding. For every £1 raised, Comic Relief spent 72p on charitable activities:
- 57p was spent to help thousands of vital projects supporting vulnerable people in the UK and internationally.
- 12p was spent ensuring that we allocate our funding as effectively as possible, ensuring it reaches amazing projects and monitoring how it is spent.
- 3p was spent on raising awareness of the work we support to tackle poverty and injustice.
The remaining 28p was invested in raising funds, which will be used to support vital work under our new strategy. We also generated income from investing the funds we raised prior to them being distributed as funding to other organisations. This income contributed to funding our operating costs which enabled us to give more money to good causes.
How We Are Run
We’re led by a dedicated, knowledgeable Board of Trustees. They, alongside a number of Committees, steer our CEO and team of directors, who lead Comic Relief’s employees in carrying out the day-to-day activities of the organisation.
In addition, and free from a governance role, are our Founder, and Honorary Life Presidents, who use their extensive creativity and experience to support Comic Relief.
For more information on our team, please visit our site here.