Child poverty statistics are shocking. Globally, one billion children are deprived of one or more basic needs like food, shelter, safe drinking water, sanitation, healthcare and education. Here in the U.S., 21% of children live in families with an income below the federal poverty threshold and nearly twice that number live in homes that struggle to put food on the table.
This is why we – Porter Novelli – are partnering with Red Nose Day in the U.S.
Now in its fifth year, the national fundraising campaign to end child poverty has raised nearly $150 million – impacting more than 16 million children in the U.S. and around the world. Through working with some amazing grantee partners, Red Nose Day has positively impacted the lives of children living in all 50 states and Puerto Rico, and in countries around the world – all Red Nose Day grants align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Comic Relief USA, the organization behind Red Nose Day, has worked with leading global foundations, major corporations/brands, as well as tech start-ups to drive awareness of Red Nose Day and maximize participation, contributions and impact. Comic Relief USA CEO Janet Scardino recently spoke with Devin Thorpe about how Red Nose Day works with partners to fulfill its mission to end child poverty. Additionally, Forbes reported on another exciting partnership with Scholastic, which has taken Red Nose Day into the classroom to help students understand the issue of child poverty while developing empathy, and inspire them to create a positive change.
While Red Nose Day is relatively new to a U.S. audience, it is a firmly established British institution since it launched in the UK 30 years ago, which is why kicking off our internal Red Nose campaign brings back some amazing memories for me (as a British transplant). All of Porter Novelli’s U.S. offices will offer employees an opportunity to have fun and make a difference, and I am excited to help my colleagues make some of their own memories this year and make a positive impact, which is one of our organization’s core values.
So, whether this is your first or fifth time participating, you can get involved by donating online, organizing a fundraiser and of course, buying a Red Nose at Walgreens and sharing a selfie on social media with the hashtag #RedNoseDay. You can also participate in livestream fundraising events. As Digital Trends reported, Red Nose Day uses this form of frictionless giving to tap into the giving power of Gen Z and Millennials.
Let’s come together and make this May 23 a record day for raising funds for a great cause. And remember, “Noses On!”
Ravi Sunnak is EVP Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).