March 20, 2007 | Read Time: 1 minute
Charity 2.0 Blog Network reports that the United Kingdom’s massive Red Nose Day event raised $91.2-million.
The event, held March 16, was produced by Comic Relief, a British charity that brings together celebrities and local residents for special events that include telethons, jelly baths, and other efforts to raise money and have fun.
Red Nose Day succeeds not just because it involves celebrities and amusing events, but also because Comic Relief is a well-run charity, says the anonymous writer for the Charity 2.0 blog network.
“The long history of the event, the hype created by the celebrities involved and the recent renaissance of charitable giving are all factors that have led to the huge success of this event,” says the writer. “Another major factor, I suspect, is that the charity, unlike certain fly-by-night affairs in the 1980’s that raised large sums of money but failed to spend it effectively, has solid relationships with reputable, tested and respected charities. Comic Relief takes care of the fund raising and gives the money to charities that have proven to be effective.”
The Charity 2.0 blog is written by consultants who help grass-roots charities.
Red Nose Day and other events that involve lots of people raise small amounts are featured in the latest edition of The Chronicle of Philanthropy.
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