Acts 435 is an online giving charity that connects those who want to help with those who have a genuine need, by resourcing a national network of churches and local charities. This year they’re marking “15 years of giving to anyone who has need”, and celebrating all God has helped them to achieve to be able to support the specific needs of over 55,000 individuals.
Acts 435 launched in 2010 with the vision of resourcing churches and charities in local communities to meet the needs of individuals, as well as providing a platform for donors to be able to give directly to meet these requests for help. Over the last 15 years this vision has not changed, and Acts 435 continues to guarantee that 100% of any donation will go directly towards the individual’s need, with all its organisational costs being covered by Gift Aid.
The unique giving platform allows donors to read anonymous stories of those that have a specific need, and give towards their request, knowing that their gift will make a big difference to the person or family. One such individual is Kathryn* who is a single mum suffering from anxiety and depression, and was without an income while she waited for her benefits to be processed. The church in Manchester who was supporting her through this difficult time was able to post a request onto the Acts 435 website for help to top-up her gas and electricity. On receiving the gift, Kathryn said:
“What a brilliant way to end the weekend and the start of a normally boring week with nothing to look forward to. Thanks to your kindness I now have gas and electricity. I cannot wait to switch the light switch on and off and know the bulbs will come on and brighten the rooms.”
Being able to provide the simple ability to turn on the light was such a tangible way for donors to support this single mum in a crisis. Thanks to donors who are supporting people, like Kathryn, Acts 435 has been able to directly distribute £6.6million to individuals in local communities in the last 15 years. This provision would not have been possible without God, and His consistent provision to see, on average, £79,000 given each month by both regular and new donors.
Christians from across the church traditions are individual members and Acts 435 has partner churches from various denominations including the Church of England, the Methodist Church, Vineyard Churches as well as Local Ecumenical Partnerships. However, Acts 435 also wants to develop more connections with other denominations that they don’t currently resource as frequently from the Free Church, Pentecostal and Charismatic and Orthodox traditions. Find out more about becoming a partner church.
* recipient’s name changed for confidentiality.
Main picture: A local partner from Turning Point Church in Bournemouth, and a recipient with his new vacuum cleaner.