Charity of the Year

Charity of the Year scheme

The University of Reading's Charity of the Year scheme aims to deliver positive impacts for both the chosen charity and the University, whilst also benefiting the local community. It will also support the University's charitable objectives of advancing education, learning and research for public benefit.

The University will select a single charity to work with and support, in a variety of ways, throughout an academic year. To qualify, the charity must be active and support local people in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire or Oxfordshire.

Charities could be supported in a number of ways, including:

awareness-raising among the large University staff community about the charity and its services
staff fundraising opportunities
staff and student volunteering opportunities
collaborative research in areas of mutual interest.

Applications for the 2026/27 scheme are now open.

How to apply for the 2026/27 scheme

Applications open on Monday 13 April and close at 23:00 on Wednesday 20 May.

Please read the Guidance Notes for the 2026/27 scheme before applying.
A document containing the application form questions is provided, so you can prepare your submission offline.
Submit your application, using the online application form.

The chosen charity will be notified by the end of July 2026.

If you have any questions, please email charityoftheyear@reading.ac.uk.

Previous charities we have supported

Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity was the University’s inaugural Charity of the Year for 2024/25, after the scheme launched in March 2024.

Daisy’s Dream was selected as the Charity of the Year for 2025/26, following a vote by University staff. Daisy's Dream provides vital support to children, young people and their families in Berkshire who have experienced bereavement or are preparing for loss. Dedicated teams ensure that each family receives individually tailored support through the toughest of times.

We have been part of the Thames Valley for over a century now, supporting the communities that surround us. We already work with local charities in a variety of ways, through our Community Fund initiative, our community-based research projects, and more. This scheme offers our University community the chance to come together and get involved in supporting our chosen charity, and hopefully have some fun at the same time.

Charity of the Year
Applications are now open