The essence of the club will never change - a club open to all and here to help others within the wider community. This is our heritage and will be something which is with us forever. Through our charitable work, this heritage lives on.

Celtic Charity was established as a charitable trust in 1995 and has always been an integral part of Celtic Football Club, uniting the Celtic Family across the globe in collectively-held values and beliefs.

The primary focus has always been that of improving the lives of the poorest and most vulnerable people all over the world. Since its inception, the charity has raised in excess of £5million for a host of worthy causes on a local, national and international basis.

The Celtic Foundation – a department of the football club - was established in 2006 to co-ordinate the club´s social, educational and community work under one umbrella. 

The Foundation works in association with a wide range of organisations providing activities for children, young people, adults and senior citizens using sport, health and education programmes to engage with the wider community.

As the social principles, key priorities, aims and objectives of Celtic Charity and the Celtic Foundation are so clearly aligned, it has been agreed that the natural progression is for both units to merge and become a new, stronger Scottish Charity with a wider role and greater reach. This new entity will be called Celtic FC Foundation. 

Tony Hamilton recently took up the position of CEO of Celtic FC Foundation and is currently driving the merger and restructure, with a focus on further strengthening our place within the community.

Celtic FC Foundation is now beginning to take shape and supporters will see this developing further over the coming months. Following the end of the formal merger period, we will officially launch the new charity.

Celtic Chief Executive Peter Lawwell said: “Celtic’s origins are unique and it is very satisfying that 125 years after the club’s birth, our commitment to our community and charitable work remains so strong. 

"Indeed we are doing more now in this area than we have ever done in our history.

“Our social ethos defines us as a club. It is what we stand for and through this new structure we will be able to take our work to a new level and make a fundamental and positive difference to the lives of many more people.”

Tony Hamilton, CEO of Celtic FC Foundation, said: “The new structure will allow us to develop the good work of both functions in the coming years and Celtic FC Foundation will continue to be the charitable arm of Celtic Football Club.

“I am hugely excited about the challenges that lie ahead and I am looking forward to working closely with our supporters and external partners as we strive to make a difference locally, nationally and internationally – starting in this our 125th year.”

If you have any questions regarding this merger or want to help Celtic FC Foundation help others, please email 1254125@celticfc.co.uk 

 

1254125

Celtic Charity launched its 1254125 Fundraising initiative in the summer of 2012.

We are asking every Celtic supporter across the globe to raise £125 in the Club's 125th Anniversary Year to improve the lives of the world's poorest and most vulnerable people. Our target is to raise £1.25M.

We are asking YOU, our Celtic Family, to raise funds to help us deliver our 1254125 campaign.

This campaign will be a collective effort from all our global supporters; from the Gorbals, to Philadelphia, to our Family in Australia to Celtic Mums in Wishaw.

Every Celtic supporter can get involved and decide how they can raise their £125 and we, at Celtic Charity, will help you all the way. You can also make a donation through our Donate page.

We are delighted to have a full calendar of events coming up and a selection are online now for you to browse. These events will develop over the next few months so remember to keep checking the 1254125 page above.

To take YOUR pledge and email 1254125@celticfc.co.uk for your sponsorship form.

 

Background

Celtic Football Club was formed in the city of Glasgow in 1888, principally to utilise a football club as a means of raising money to assist those in poverty living in the East End.

In 1888, the founder of the Club was a local Marist Brother of Irish origin, Brother Walfrid, 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.

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. Celtic Charity is the "known as" name of Celtic Charity Fund.

Today...

Over the past few years Celtic Charity and its partner the Celtic Foundation 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.

 

See some of our recent successes below:

Children's Music Programme 
Celtic Charity in partnership with the Celtic Foundation are pleased to announce the launch of a school and community music programme which will benefit thousands of young people.  Music is a medium for spirit, tolerance, inclusion, tradition and excellence.

We are investing initially in four schools, bringing music to over 1,000 children. Substantial further investment is expected at these schools and in new projects. The four schools are St Andrew’s, Hazelwood, Ashcraig and Oban High School.

Look out over the next few weeks for some rising stars appearing on our site!

Ability Counts
Working with Down's Syndrome Scotland - Improving health and wellbeing, self-esteem and confidence.

The Ability Counts Programme launched in February 2011 and was the first of its kind in Scotland and following the success of the pilot it has grown from strength to strength.  In addition to the weekly football coaching we have now introduced a successful dance element and hope to add music tuition to the programme in the near future.

Celtic Charity Summer Camp 2012
Celtic Charity, in partnership with the Celtic Foundation delivered a 4 week programme which offered a mix of physical activity (football, dance, music, inflatables), healthy eating (breakfast and lunch provided) and educational workshops (alcohol and drug misuse, crime, anti sectarianism, team building and self image).

To ensure we reached the most in need and diverse group, the programme was promoted to a variety of Celtic Charity beneficiaries and Celtic Foundation partners e.g. Women’s Aid, Active Schools, Barnardos, Young Carers, Scottish Refugee Council and the Social Work Department.

To view the fantastic outcomes of these games, click here

Click here to view some of the amazing projects which Celtic Charity and the Celtic Foundation support.

We have raised more than £5million to assist a wide range of charities. Our target in this the clubs 125th anniversary is to raise £1.25million and continue to support those in greatest need here in Scotland, Ireland, and across the World in the name of the Celtic Family.

Celtic Charity Trustees

The Board of Trustees currently numbers 7 and is selected by Celtic Football &  Athletic Co Ltd.  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.

• Chairman - Chris Traynor, CEO of BE Capital Group
• Peter Lawwell, CEO Celtic Football Club.
• Neil Lennon, Manager Celtic Football Club.
• Craig Paterson, Chairman Footballaid.
• Gavin Kelly, CEO Kinmont Advisory Group.
• Eric Riley, Finance Director Celtic Football Club.
• Adrian Filby, Commercial Director Celtic Football Club.

 

Celtic Charity: Raffle, Signed Item Requests/Non-Monetary Donations

Signed Item Requests / Non-Monetary Donations

As the season is coming to a close, the deadline for signed item requests is Friday 26 April.   We may be able to provide an alternative prize, to apply for this please follow the guidelines below:-

Please ensure you direct your request to Celtic FC’s PR Department, at least six weeks prior to your fundraising event in order to receive a response on time, to:-

Eileen McCartney
Public Relations Assistant
Celtic Football Club
Celtic Park
GLASGOW
G40 3RE

Email: PublicRelations@celticfc.co.uk

If you are raising funds on behalf of a registered charity, please supply a letter of authorisation from the charity confirming the details of your event together with a postal address to respond to, for your request to be considered.

We will endeavour to send a response to all requests received in writing, be it successful or unsuccessful.

CELTIC CHARITY CANNOT PROCESS REQUESTS FOR SIGNED ITEMS, IN-KIND or NON-MONETARY DONATIONS

 

Celtic Charity Small Grants Scheme

Official Recognition

Celtic Charity was officially registered as a recognised charity on 31st March 1996 with the Inland Revenue in Scotland; official Scottish Charity Number SC024648. 

Types of Charities We Support

Applicant charities MUST impact one or more of the following:-

• Poverty
• Vulnerability
• Inequality

Within these 3 key areas, there are many associated issues including (but not limited to):-

• Health and wellbeing
• Education
• Homelessness
• Social Inclusion
• Employability

 Geographical Priorities

We fund charities all over the World.  However, due to the history of the Club, our priority areas are:-

• East End of Glasgow
• Wider Glasgow and the West
• Scotland and Ireland
• Overseas

Applications

Please note we can only consider applications submitted directly from registered charities, rather than individuals fundraising on their behalf.  If you require any clarification or assistance in relation to completing the application form, please contact:

Jane Maguire
Celtic Charity
Celtic Park
GLASGOW
G40 4RE

Direct Telephone: 0141 551 4262

Email: janemaguire@celticfc.co.uk

Completed forms should be returned, allowing sufficient time to meet the nearest closing date, to Jane Maguire at the above address. 

Funding Levels

This is a Small Grants Scheme so the maximum award is £3,000. 

Funding Decisions

There are 2 closing dates per year – 30 thJune and 31st December – and decisions are communicated to all applicants within 8 weeks of each.

It is a competitive bidding process in that we receive applications totalling more than the funds available and those which best fit with the principal and subsidiary areas of support will be selected.  Trustees decisions are final.

Click HERE to download an application form.