introduction & history
Celtic Football Club was formed in the city of Glasgow in 1888, principally to utilise a football club as a means of raising money for the poor of the city’s East End.
In 1888, although Glasgow was the rich and prosperous second city of the British Empire, the city’s East End was greatly impoverished with high rates of child mortality. The founder of the Club was a local Marist Brother of Irish origin, who recognised the need for positive social integration between the Scottish and Irish living in Glasgow, hence the name Celtic, emphasising a bridge of cultures across the Irish Sea.
Celtic Football Club is a major social institution in Scottish life and has supporters all over the world, mainly expatriates of Scotland and Ireland.
Over the last century, Celtic Football Club has developed into a thriving business and has a proud name and heritage known throughout the world. In 1994 the Club was taken over by new management who sought to maximise Celtic’s potential as a football club and business but also, importantly, to recognise Celtic’s social dimension, with a return to supporting charitable causes in the line with the founding principles of the Club. In 1995, ‘Celtic Charity Fund’ was formed with the aim of revitalising Celtic’s charitable traditions.
Since then, we have raised and distributed almost £1.5m to a wide range of charities. Together, we can reach £2m and continue to support charities in Scotland, Ireland, and across the World in the name of our glorious family.
Over the past few years Celtic Charity Fund has been involved in more educational, community, and charitable work than at any time in the Club’s history. Such work is a measure of the Club’s commitment to the charitable principles which were the motivation for the Club’s founding father, Brother Walfrid.
Every penny raised through Celtic Charity Fund is given to worthy causes.
official recognition
Celtic Charity Fund was officially registered as a recognised charity on March 31, 1996 with the Inland Revenue in Scotland; official Scottish Charity Number SC024648.
aims
Celtic Charity Fund has the following aims:-
- To raise funds and support specific areas of charity work, selected each year by Celtic Football Club.
- To uphold and promote the charitable principles and heritage of Celtic Football Club.
areas of support
Celtic has identified 3 principal and 3 subsidiary areas of support:-
Principal Areas
- Charities in support of children’s needs.
- Community action on drugs.
- Projects that develop and promote religious and ethnic harmony
Subsidiary Areas
- Supporting the homeless.
- Helping the unemployed.
- Support and research for projects aiding the affliction of illness, famine and innocent families within the areas of war.
trustees
The Board of Trustees currently numbers 3 and is selected by Celtic Football Club. The Trustees are responsible for ensuring the charitable traditions and values of the Club are maintained, while managing, agreeing and actioning the distribution of funds.
celtic charity fund-raising action group
This group was set up on 27th February 1996 as the vehicle responsible for raising money solely for Celtic Charity Fund and promoting the traditions and values of the Club. It consists of professional businesspeople selected by Celtic Football Club.
how to apply
Please note we can only consider applications submitted directly from registered charities, rather than individuals fundraising on their behalf.
Download an application form here (link) or email a request to janemaguire@celticfc.co.uk
There are 2 closing dates per year – June 30 and December 31 – and completed applications should be returned, allowing sufficient time to meet the nearest deadline, to:-
Jane Maguire
Celtic Charity Fund
Celtic Park
GLASGOW
G40 4RE
Direct Telephone:- 0141 551 4262
Email:- janemaguire@celticfc.co.uk
It is a competitive bidding process in that we receive applications totalling more than the funds available so those which best fit with the principal and subsidiary areas of support will be selected.
Trustees decisions are final and they are communicated to all applicants within 8 weeks of the respective closing date.
how you can help
Donate
If you are a UK taxpayer, use Gift Aid and you can make your donation worth more. For every pound you give, Celtic Charity Fund gets an extra 28 pence from the Inland Revenue- Set up a regular donation by Direct Debit
- You can donate by post
- You could consider leaving a gift in your will. Celtic Charity Fund would advise that anyone making or updating a will should seek independent legal advice.
- If your employer operates a Payroll Giving (Give As You Earn) Scheme, you can opt to support Celtic Charity Fund through this medium. Please contact your Payroll Department.
Fundraise
Fundraise in your own innovative way. For advice or assistance or a sponsorship form, please contact janemaguire@celticfc.co.uk or 0141 551 4262.