Giving back: how UK businesses can make a difference this International Day of Charity
Giving back: how UK businesses can make a difference this International Day of Charity
5 August 2025
The UK is home to over 180,00 registered charities (Charity Commission, 2025), and on 5th September, the International Day of Charity reminds us of how this generosity can change lives and shape a fairer, more sustainable world.
For UK businesses, this can also be a moment to reflect on how charitable giving can become a key element of their ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) strategy. So it’s not just a nice-to-have, but a smart, values-led business decision.
Charity in ESG: more than just a tick-box
Whether it’s donations, volunteering, pro bono work or strategic partnerships, giving back shows your business is serious about social impact. And with customers, investors and employees increasingly expecting more than lip service, meaningful philanthropy helps build trust, strengthen brand loyalty, and attract values-led talent.
Different industries, different strengths: how your business can shine
In the last tax year, UK businesses gave an estimated £4.29 billion to charities (Charities Aid Foundation, 2024). Whatever your organisation’s size or sector, there are many ways you can give back: from choosing a charity of the year to support to offering paid employee volunteering, match funding, or setting up a payroll giving scheme.
No company is too small to make a difference. Small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) have a vital role to play in UK communities, and often lead the way in grassroots giving. Whether it’s sponsoring a local charity event, donating services to a raffle, or offering staff time to volunteer, these businesses make a real difference where it matters most. Because SMEs are embedded in their communities, their support is often more visible and trusted. Building charitable partnerships locally can also generate positive brand awareness, increase customer goodwill, and contribute meaningfully to a small business’s social impact goals.
Companies can also use their industry expertise to support charitable causes. No matter what sector you’re in, you can contribute in ways that make a difference and when charitable activity plays to your organisation’s strengths, it’s more impactful and more sustainable. For example:
How financial services firms can give back
Banks, insurers, and fintechs are in a strong position to embed charitable giving into their corporate ESG strategy. From integrating donation options in-app to supporting social enterprises or green investment initiatives, financial services firms can make a tangible impact. These contributions go beyond compliance; they help meet growing expectations from regulators, investors, and the public, while showcasing a firm’s long-term commitment to social value and ethical finance.
Retail’s role in customer-led giving
With daily customer touchpoints, retailers and consumer brands are uniquely positioned to champion cause-driven campaigns. Point-of-sale donations, donating a percentage of profits from certain products, and co-branded charity partnerships, all turn everyday transactions into positive social action, deepening consumer trust and driving engagement around shared values.
Using expertise for good in professional services
Accountancy, law, consultancy, and other professional services firms have a valuable asset to offer: their expertise. Pro bono work for charities and non-profits not only fills critical resource gaps but also helps staff apply their skills in meaningful ways. Including skills-based volunteering into their ESG framework means firms can support charity sector resilience while improving employee satisfaction and purpose; a win-win that strengthens both internal culture and external reputation.
Driving scalable impact with tech
From offering subsidised software licences to non-profits, to partnering on digital transformation projects or running skills workshops for underserved communities, tech and digital companies are well-placed to create scalable social impact. Supporting digital inclusion and capacity-building through “tech for good” initiatives not only strengthens charity ecosystems — it also aligns with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and social mobility goals that many tech firms prioritise within their ESG strategies.
Why giving back is good for business
Charity isn’t just the right thing to do; it also makes smart business sense. It boosts employee engagement, attracts socially conscious customers, and builds stronger, more resilient communities around your organisation (HR Magazine, 2025).
When employees are encouraged to get involved through volunteering or fundraising, it also helps them feel more connected and purposeful in their work - something we explore further in our blog, “The benefits of corporate volunteering”.
Get involved this International Day of Charity
So, this September, take the opportunity to reflect on how your business gives back, and whether those efforts can align more closely with your ESG goals.
Not sure how to choose a charity to support and engage your employees? Read our advice here.
Sources
Charity Commission (2025). Information gathered about all the registered charities in England and Wales. (online) prd-ds-register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk. Available at: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/sector-data/sector-overview.
Cafonline.org. (2024). Donations from FTSE 100 companies to charities have not kept pace with profits over the past decade. (online) Available at: https://www.cafonline.org/home/about-us/press-office/donations-from-ftse-100-companies-to-charities-have-not-kept-pace-with-profits-over-the-past-decade.
Wyatt, H. (2025). Charity donations boost employee engagement - HR Magazine. (online) HR Magazine. Available at: https://www.hrmagazine.co.uk/content/news/charity-donations-boost-employee-engagement/.