MoneySavingExpert charity fund
Grant-giving to grassroots groups & more
Important. This is all about MSE's charity fund – for more details of Martin's separate personal fund, see his full Martin Lewis Charity Fund – what happened to the £10m I pledged to charity blog.
If you want to empower consumers, put money in their pocket. This site is dedicated to doing just that... but our charity fund does it even more directly. With over £2.4 million donated so far, it's MoneySavingExpert's way of giving back to users.
The money we raise currently goes to support our charity, the MSE Charity, which gives grants of up to £10,000 to groups that provide education, information and support to help people learn how to manage their money better.
But that's not all – we also make one-off donations and, in the past, have donated part of our fund to a range of charities nominated by you, MSE users.
The MSE Charity's winter funding round is now fully closed. The deadline for submitting stage two applications was 5pm on Thursday 27 March.
Next, the charity's Grant Advisory Panel will assess the submissions, with funding decisions to be revealed in early May.
For the latest news from the MSE Charity, see its website, and to read about the groups that received grants in the last round, see summer grant recipients below.
What is the MSE Charity?
Launched in May 2008, the MSE Charity (registered charity number 1121320) is dedicated to helping people help themselves, by funding activities that make a lasting impact on how people think, behave, and manage their money.
Rather than engaging in any projects itself, the charity offers grants of up to £10,000 to support non-profit organisations, such as social enterprises and registered charities, with specific money education projects. Help is given to a range of projects, from the grassroots to more mainstream charities, with the maximum annual income level for an organisation set at £750,000.
As of June 2024, the MSE Charity made a number of changes to its funding rounds. While it will still run two rounds a year, the following will change:
No more set themes. Former themes were building and developing resilience, living with long-term challenges, raising the next generation, and life changes.
Wider focus. The rounds will now focus more broadly on boosting people's financial capability skills, which aligns better with the charity's long-term goals.
Grant increase. The maximum grant per group will rise to £10,000.
Two-stage application, rather than one. The new first stage is a shorter 'outline' application; the second is a fuller application.
For more detailed info on the new grant process, see the MSE Charity's webpage.
MSE founder Martin Lewis on the MSE Charity's history...
The MSE Charity is now over 10 years old. It was my first foray into the third sector and I've learned much. The MSE Charity is still very much the site's baby, a passion play that allows us to help far more than those who just use the site. It enables us to put money into small projects that may otherwise get ignored, but can have a huge impact on people's lives. Its focus remains on educating people on how to deal with their money and to tackle financial illiteracy.
In the early days MSE and I were the same thing. Now the site has its own independent life, alongside me, which is why I'm delighted it continues to fund the MSE Charity. It was the MSE Charity that educated me into what a privilege having money and being able to put it where it is needed really is. Without it I'm not sure I'd have had the confidence to set up the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute and the other work I do. Thanks MSE Charity.
See more on Martin's personal charity fund work, including his own donations to the MSE Charity, which are separate from MSE's.
Where does the MSE Charity's money come from?
The cash is generated from two sources:
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An annual donation from this site. A donation of over £235,000 was made to launch the charity, and substantial donations have continued to be made each year.
All this cash – less some small administrative costs – goes directly to the grant fund. Martin makes a separate personal donation to cover the majority of the running costs of the charity.
Martin also put money into the Martin Lewis Charitable Fund when MoneySavingExpert joined the MoneySupermarket Group (now called MONY Group) – for more information on this, see Martin's blog. -
Donations from well-wishers. Anyone who wants to support the charity is more than welcome; for the many who have said they'd like to donate to MoneySavingExpert as it's saved them money, please donate to the charity instead.
How can I make a donation to the MSE Charity?
You can donate online through the MSE Charity's PayPal Giving Fund page.
Any postal donations can be sent to the MSE Charity c/o MONY Group, 1 Dean Street, London, W1D 3RB, and if your donation is eligible for Gift Aid, please complete its Gift Aid declaration form.
Who's recently received one of our grants?
Eight organisations were awarded grants by the MSE Charity in its last batch of funding, which was open during summer last year.
Dotted around the UK and helping various causes, the eight groups were given grants from a total fund of just under £55,000.
With this funding they're able to deliver even more life-changing support.
Here's a summary of the groups and their projects:
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All About Us – ASD Teens: Established in 2018 in Antrim, Northern Ireland, this charity supports young people with additional needs and their families. It offers a range of inclusive activities, weekly meet-ups, youth group activities, parent support, community engagement, family days, sensory workshops, life skills sessions and accredited courses.
The funding will enable the charity to deliver the 'Skills to Help with Bills' project, teaching 10 young people aged 17 to 24 essential life skills for independence. -
Alpha House Calderdale: Since 2008, this charity has provided supportive housing services for people coming out of prison and returning to Halifax, West Yorkshire, and the surrounding areas. It helps male offenders with complex problems to stop offending, improve their mental health, and reintegrate into the community. The charity works with around 120 offenders annually through the 'Change of Lifestyle Training' programme.
MSE Charity funding will help to make two gambling and money management courses possible, supporting 64 people over the year, including classroom sessions, one-to-one support and field trips. -
Melton and District Money Advice Centre (MADMAC): Operating since 2015 and registered as a charity in 2018, MADMAC provides free face-to-face debt advice in Melton and Charnwood, Leicestershire. It aims to reduce debt poverty and improve financial capability through advice, education and ongoing support.
Our grant will support the 'Money Smart Futures' project, helping young adults aged 18 to 29 through workshops and peer money-mentor training. -
Mesila UK: This charity, operating since 2016 and based in London, empowers Orthodox Jewish communities across the UK by teaching them fundamental principles of financial stability. It supports low-income families with financial coaching, workshops and educational programmes, aimed at both children and young adults.
The funding will support financial coaching sessions for 100 people in Manchester, Gateshead and London, covering budgeting, savings, debt and crisis management. It also includes training for new and existing coaches. -
Pars Community: Based in Liverpool and established in 2017, Pars Community supports Iranian, Tajik, Afghan, Kurdish, Turkish and Arab people across Merseyside. It helps migrants, asylum seekers and refugees with integration challenges, language barriers and cultural adaptation. The charity provides English classes, functional skills courses, a weekly foodbank and cultural activities.
The funding will support 20 online financial literacy workshops and 80 one-to-one coaching sessions to 40 couples and 40 individuals, with multi-lingual resources and a community financial awareness day.
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Roma Right Path Project CIC: Established in 2021 and based in Newcastle, this community interest company (CIC) supports the Roma community in Tyne and Wear. It serves around 4,000 individuals, providing education, employability skills, mental wellbeing support, advocacy and advice.
The MSE Charity grant will help to deliver 10 financial literacy workshops in English and Roma languages, with ongoing support and staff training. -
Suffolk Coastal Debt Centre: Operating since August 2018 and partnered with Christians Against Poverty (CAP), this centre is based at St John's Church in Saxmundham and covers a large rural area in East Suffolk. It provides debt support and financial education.
The grant it's receiving will make possible 12 CAP 'Money Kids' courses, for 400 children in Years 5 and 6, and up to three adult CAP money courses. -
Teesdale Community Resources (TCR): Based in Barnard Castle, County Durham, TCR has been delivering youth activities for over 30 years and became a charity in 2011. It provides a wide range of community services to young people, older people, families and people on low incomes. The centre employs a small number of staff and works with over 100 volunteers to run projects such as a daily food pantry, weekly care packages, community lunches and youth sessions.
MSE's funding will support eight one-to-one money-management sessions each week during term time, benefiting at least 75 people. It will also deliver two six-week youth money-management programmes for at least 20 young people, and produce 'Top Tip Sheets' for adults going through different life situations, such as becoming a parent or getting a new job.
Visit the MSE Charity website or discuss it in the MSE Forum.
What other donations has MSE made?
Not only has MoneySavingExpert donated towards the MSE Charity's work, over the years we have also gifted cash to charities nominated by MSE users, and made a string of one-off donations, totalling more than £700,000.
The nominated charities include:
While many of MSE's donations have gone towards helping improve people's financial skills, we've also made a number of one-off donations to high-profile fundraising events and a range of charities large and small, including:
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Children in Need
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Comic Relief
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Red Cross
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Unicef
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Various charities following natural disasters such as the Myanmar cyclone in 2008, the 2010 earthquake in Haiti and the Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami in 2004
How much has MSE donated over the years?
Here's the MSE donation history since the site launched in February 2003.
This money comes directly from the site, and doesn't include any donations made by private individuals to the MSE Charity. If you're asking, 'How does a free site with no ads make these donations?', read our How this site is financed guide.
Donations between 1 Sep 2019 and 31 Dec 2024
£551,805
£540,005 to the MSE Charity
Plus one-off donations...
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Tetanus vaccines to Unicef – Dec 2019.
A donation of £1,800 was given to Unicef to provide tetanus vaccines for 18,000 children. -
Tetanus vaccines to Unicef – Dec 2020.
A donation of £2,000 was given to Unicef to provide tetanus vaccines for 20,000 children. -
Covid-19 donation to the World Health Organisation (WHO) – Dec 2021.
We gave £2,000 to the WHO to help prevent and treat Covid-19 around the world. -
Emergency support to the Red Cross – Dec 2022.
We gave £2,000 to the Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Appeal to help those displaced by the war. -
Donation to Unicef – Dec 2023.
A donation of £2,000 was given to Unicef to provide aid, including vaccines, education, sanitation and emergency support, in disadvantaged areas around the world. -
Donation to Unicef – Dec 2024.
Similar to last year, we donated £2,000 to Unicef to provide worldwide aid, including vaccines, education, sanitation and emergency support.
Full info
Donations between 22 Jul 2008 and 31 Aug 2019
£1,389,750
£966,592 to the MSE Charity
Main charities – £319,585 to nominated charities
✅ Re-Cycle received 20% (£63,917)
✅ Help for Heroes received 20% (£63,917)
✅ ShelterBox received 20% (£63,917)
✅ CAP UK received 20% (£63,917)
✅ Samaritans received 20% (£63,917)
Plus one-off donations...
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Start of charity fund donation
£200 each to St Giles Trust, iT4Communities, Foal Farm, Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, Citizens Advice, NCH (now Action for Children), £100 to Sightsavers International (total: £1,300). -
Comic Relief – Mar 2009
To celebrate Comic Relief 2009, 50p was donated per new recipient of the weekly email for a specified period, meaning a £10,000 donation (once rounded to the nearest £1,000). -
Haiti Earthquake Appeal – Feb 2010
To help the Disasters Emergency Committee Haiti Earthquake Appeal, 50p was donated per new recipient of the weekly email for a specified period, meaning a £15,322 donation. -
Gift of Sight (Sightsavers) – Dec 2010
A donation of £1,705 was given to Sightsavers for the Gift of Sight for 100 people. -
Financial Education – Jun 2011
Donation of £35,000 to the All Party Parliamentary Group supporting financial education in schools. See Martin's blog. -
Gift of Sight (Sightsavers) – Dec 2011
A donation of £1,705 was given to Sightsavers for the Gift of Sight for 100 people. -
Polio vaccines to Unicef – Dec 2012
A donation of £1,150 was given to Unicef for 10,000 polio vaccines. -
Comic Relief – Mar 2013
To celebrate Comic Relief 2013, £1 was given for every new member of our Cheap Energy Club for a specified period, meaning a donation of £22,000 once rounded to the nearest £1,000. -
Tetanus vaccines to Unicef – Dec 2013
A donation of £1,375 was given to Unicef for 30,000 tetanus vaccines. -
Polio vaccines to Unicef – Dec 2014
A donation of £1,650 was given to Unicef for 15,000 polio vaccines. -
Red Cross – Sep 2015
To help the Europe refugee crisis, 50p was donated per new recipient of the weekly email for a specified period, which we rounded up to make a £6,000 donation. -
Tetanus vaccines to Unicef – Dec 2015
A donation of £2,040 was given to Unicef for 40,000 tetanus vaccines. -
UK Athletics – Feb 2016
A donation of £325 was made. -
Unicef – Jan 2018
A donation of £2,001 was made. -
Unicef – Dec 2018
A donation of £2,000 was made to pay for health checks for 800 Syrian children.
Full info
Donations between 1 Sep 2006 and 21 Jul 2008
£404,084
£254,016 to the MSE Charity
Main charities – £111,918 to nominated charities
✅ Cancer Research UK received 20% (£22,383)
✅ Re-Cycle received 20% (£22,383)
✅ Tools for Self Reliance received 20% (£22,383)
✅ Different Strokes received 20% (£22,383)
✅ Usable Websites received 20% (£22,383)
Plus one-off donations...
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Festive donation
£3,000 went to Children in Crisis as part of this site's Christmas festive donation. -
Children in Need
In the run-up to Children in Need 2007, 50p was donated per new recipient of the weekly email for a specified period, meaning an overall donation of £8,200. -
Comic Relief
To celebrate Comic Relief, 50p was donated per new recipient of the weekly email in the run-up, meaning a £7,700 donation. -
Myanmar Cyclone Appeal
A total of £7,500 was donated as part of the '50p donation for every new recipient of the weekly email' appeal. -
Charities Aid Foundation
£1,100 was given to this charity, which provides low-cost banking, financial and training services to other charities. -
Govan Law Centre
Received two donations, £9,000 and £1,000, for providing legal support to the bank charges campaign. -
National Eczema Society
Received a donation of £50. -
JustGiving – cimaracing
Received a donation of £100. -
Oxfam
Received a donation of £500.
Full info
Donations between 25 Jun 2005 and 31 Aug 2006
£87,248
Main charities – £78,248 to nominated charities
✅ Samaritans received 26% (£20,344.59)
✅ Re-Cycle received 22% (£17,214.65)
✅ Send a Cow (now Ripple Effect) received 20% (£15,649.68)
✅ CAP Debt Counselling received 18% (£14,084.72)
✅ WaterAid received 14% (£10,954.78)
Plus one-off donations...
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South-East Asian Earthquake Appeal – 19 Oct 2005
A total of £2,000 was donated as part of the '50p donation for every new recipient of the weekly email' drive. -
World Vision – A MoneySavers' Well – 20 Dec 2005
£2,000 was donated via World Vision to build a well in a desolate part of Africa, providing clean water for 10 villages.
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World Vision – Solar Panels for Senegal – 28 Feb 2006
A total of £5,000 was donated as part of the '50p donation for every new recipient of the weekly email' drive to fit solar panels for a health clinic in Senegal. So many people signed up that cash was spare to fund health centre equipment, sewing machines, school toys and classroom equipment.
Full info
Donations between 12 May 2004 and 24 Jun 2005
£39,680
Main charities – £29,000 to nominated charities
✅ Breast Cancer Now received 26% (£7,540)
✅ Alzheimer's Society received 20% (£5,800)
✅ Whizz-Kidz received 20% (£5,800)
✅ Re-Cycle received 17% (£4,930)
✅ Kidscape received 17% (£4,930)
Plus a one-off donation...
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Tsunami Emergency Appeal donation of £10,680 – 9 Jan 2005
Full info
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