5 Reasons to Support City Giving Day 2026
On 23 September, organisations from across the City will once again come together for City Giving Day — the annual celebration of philanthropy, volunteering and community action organised by The Lord Mayor’s Appeal.
The annual celebration in partnership with CityAM, brings together organisations of every size to showcase what responsible business looks like in action. Whether you’re a long-standing participant or considering joining for the first time, here are five reasons why City Giving Day deserves a place in your organisation’s calendar.
1. Demonstrate that business can be a force for good
The City has always been a place of innovation, ambition and enterprise but now we can be known for something equally important: a commitment to giving back. City Giving Day provides companies with a powerful platform to showcase their fundraising, volunteering, mentoring and community partnerships. It is an opportunity to celebrate colleagues who are making a difference while demonstrating to clients, investors and future employees that purpose sits alongside performance. As Lady Mayor Dame Susan Langley said at the launch of City Giving Day 2026, “when the City unites behind a common purpose, our collective impact can be extraordinary.”
2. Inspire your people through shared experiences
The best employee engagement initiatives create connection and strengthen workplace culture. This year’s City Giving Day includes a range of collaborative events that bring colleagues together while raising money and awareness. The much-awaited return of The Long Long Lunch will bring together a collection of leading City restaurants for a collaborative dining experience celebrating hospitality, exceptional food and wine, and community in the heart of London. Voices for Giving will unite City choirs in a celebration of music, community and philanthropy.
New for 2026, individuals can also volunteer to help deliver City Giving Day itself, helping behind the scenes to make the City’s biggest celebration of corporate giving an even greater success.
3. Take on a challenge that captures the City’s imagination
City Giving Day has always been known for thinking outside the box. In 2026, it will launch of one its most ambitious initiatives yet – the CPR World Record Relay Challenge. In partnership with Central London Alliance, it will attempt to train thousands of people in lifesaving CPR over 48 hours. Fancy a high-octane static Wattbike challenge? Organisations can also compete in Tour de City, with teams battling for distance while raising funds for good causes.
4. Join one of the City’s biggest collective movements
City Giving Day has grown from a single initiative in 2015 into one of the largest corporate giving movements in the UK. Over £1.28 million has been raised for The Lord Mayor’s Appeal. From 2026 onwards, the programme is expanding beyond London to inspire even more businesses across the UK. There are few opportunities where businesses of every sector and size can visibly demonstrate their commitment to social impact alongside hundreds of peers. Collectively, the message is a good one – this is a City that cares.
5. Invest in a stronger future for London
Behind every treasure hunt, cycle challenge, quiz night or charity bake sale is a much bigger ambition. The Lord Mayor’s Appeal exists to build a Better City for All through partnerships and fundraising events, creating better opportunities for people to work and thrive and prosper in our vibrant city. Supporting City Giving Day isn’t simply about one day’s activity. It is about contributing to a long-term movement that demonstrates what can happen when businesses convene with charities, civic institutions and communities to create lasting change.
In a world where organisations are increasingly judged by their impact as well as their financial performance, City Giving Day offers something rare: a practical, visible and inspiring way to make a difference. Register for City Giving Day today