Donations to the Guardian’s Hope appeal have passed the £800,000 mark as generous readers continue to support inspirational grassroots charities that promote tolerance and tackle division, racism and hatred.
The 2025 Guardian appeal is raising funds for five charities: Citizens UK, the Linking Network, Locality, Hope Unlimited Charitable Trust and Who is Your Neighbour?
The Hope appeal, which is entering its final few days, supports charities offering positivity and common purpose against an backdrop of extremist violence and harassment, anti-migrant rhetoric, and the re-emergence of “1970s-style racism”.
One donor told us by email: “I support all efforts to rebuild community links and cohesion. With lived experience of racism (current and past), I never want it to stain our country again.
“Hate and division are making our communities less safe for all of us. Rebuilding hope, solidarity and shared values is more vital than ever for our peaceful society, in this age of misinformation.”
All five charities deliver practical projects designed to foster empathy, build trust and promote positive change on the issues that matter for local communities, from affordable housing to youth clubs, arts projects to food banks.
Our series of features and films showcasing the work of the charities includes Rory Carroll, the Guardian’s Ireland correspondent, on the Circle of Change project in Belfast uniting people across race, class and faith, and Sally Weale, an education correspondent, on the Linking Network’s initiative to bring together primary schools separated by ethnicity and geography.
The Linking Network said of its project: “It gives children the chance to see beyond the boundaries of their own experience. When they meet, share stories and learn together, they build empathy and understanding that lasts a lifetime.”
Lucy Knight wrote about SaSh, a Jewish-Muslim charity food kitchen project supported by Hope Unlimited; Sam Wollaston traversed Citizens UK’s Walk of Hope, and Taj Ali’s Guardian film featured the Locality member Back on the Map’s post-riot revival of a Sunderland neighbourhood.
Many donors told us they welcomed the focus on local groups. One said: “I think this appeal is inspired! Grassroots charities and organisations are the most powerful tool we have to fight … hate and ignorance.”
Matthew Bolton, the chief executive and lead organiser of Citizens UK, said: “From the thousands of Citizens UK community leaders and staff across the country, a warm thank you to the Guardian readers for your support. Every pound given strengthens our shared capacity to make change and build bridges across communities.”
