Matched Fund Success For Asia-Pacific Emergency Relief

added october 19th 2009

A typhoon, a tsunami and two earthquakes in just five days recently left parts of the Asia-Pacific region totally devastated and in need of support. In total, over 1,000 people were killed and an estimated 4 million were affected.

To help save and rebuild lives, philanthropist Alec Reed created a matched fund on theBigGive.org.uk to double individual donations to the emergency appeals. In just six days, £50,000 was raised for the seven participating charities, which included Oxfam and the British Red Cross. The charities are using the money to continue providing immediate aid such as safe shelter, clean water and vital medical supplies.

Alec Reed said “Matched funding challenges are a really effective way of doubling support for projects and charities. This scheme has encouraged much-needed donations for those affected by these terrible disasters.”

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About The Big Give - theBigGive.org.uk
theBigGive.org.uk was founded in October 2007 by Alec Reed CBE to help high-wealth individuals find charities in their field of interest.

Supported by 32 high-profile philanthropists, the Big Give allows donors to search for projects by sector and locations. In addition, there are also matched funding, charitable voucher and legacy giving opportunities.

The Big Give features 6,000 charities and has so far raised more than £5 million. It is funded by The Reed Foundation, which recently won the 2009 Third Sector Excellence Award for Innovation.  This was in recognition of the success of its 2008 matched funding challenge, which raised £2 million for charity in only 45 minutes.

The seven charities involved in this scheme were Oxfam, Save the Children, Disasters Emergency Committee, Shelterbox, Action against Hunger, Plan International and the British Red Cross.

Press Contact:  Helen Cable
helen.cable@theBigGive.org.uk
0207 201 9987

View this article online: http://www.reedpressoffice.co.uk/newsArticle/Matched+Fund+Success+For+Asia-Pacific+Emergency+Relief/