Comic Relief is a major charity based in the United Kingdom, with a vision of A Just World Free from Poverty.
For over 40 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 we’ve enjoyed many incredible moments along the way.
We know that when people come together to tackle 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 change that is driven locally, for both the causes and consequences of poverty. 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
We use entertainment and storytelling to inspire generosity towards locally-led change for people experiencing poverty.
Our mission combines Comic and Relief. We believe that helping others 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 40 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.
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 £39m subject to audit.
Some Key Headlines from the financial year 2025 (subject to audit):
- £34.6m grants awarded
- 164 grants awarded
Building an Inclusive Culture
We recognise diversity and inclusion is a source of strength in achieving our mission. We, therefore, welcome everyone, trusting that 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 continual 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 2025 and our annual Night of TV raised £39m including continuous support following the campaign, thanks to generous donations from the public and their fundraising activities, and the continued support of our institutional and corporate partners.
In the 2024/25 financial year, we also raised £7m from year-round fundraising including a winter appeal, sports relief and digital giving and a further £6.4m from gift aid and other income. This is a 9% deduction from the RND performance the previous year but a positive show of support even with Night of TV coinciding with England playing in the World Cup qualifier broadcasted at the same time. Every £1 raised, Comic Relief spent 75p on charitable activities.
- 66p was spent to help thousands of vital projects supporting vulnerable people in the UK and internationally.
- 6p 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.
For every £ raised, we invested 30p 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.
Please note – All financial performance figures are indicative and are subject to year-end accounting and external audit
How We Are Run
We’re led by a dedicated, knowledgeable Board of Trustees. They, alongside a number of Committees, steer our CEO and executive team, 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.