Philanthropist Doubles Support for Matched Fund

    LONDON, ENGLAND, July 26, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- In response to over GBP5m worth of charity applications to The Big Give matched funding challenge, Alec Reed today pledged an extra GBP1m to expand the scheme.

Reed has doubled his original pledge of GBP1m, made at the launch of the scheme in May. The scheme, which aimed to raise GBP6m the end of the year, could now raise as much as GBP12m for charity.

Reed is teaming up with trustees of 250 charities to create a multi-million pound matched fund. The pot will offer charity supporters the chance to double their donation this December if they donate through theBigGive.org.uk.

The unprecedented response suggests that fundraisers and trustees are looking for new ways to inspire donors to give in difficult times.

Last year, a similar matched funding challenge on theBigGive.org.uk raised GBP2 million for charity in an astonishing 45 minutes. This year's fund will be released over several days, allowing donors more chance to double donations to their charities.

The scheme was already set to be the largest online matched fund. The initial target of GBP6m has now been doubled to a potential GBP12m, although Alec Reed says he would be delighted to break the GBP10m mark:

Jon Brooks, Managing Director of theBigGive.org.uk, said: "The Big Give introduces high-level donors to exciting new charity projects. Our highest single donation so far is GBP175k to a small charity that the donor found on theBigGive.org.uk. We hope to inspire many more philanthropists to give intelligently."

More information on the scheme can be found at:

http://www.thebiggive.org.uk/millionmatch/

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