How we choose our charities

At Raise Your Hands, we believe small charities are some of the most effective organisations helping children and young people to thrive — but they’re often overlooked and underfunded.

Our due diligence process ensures we identify the very best of these “hidden gems” — charities that are innovative, well-run, and making measurable social impact in their communities.

A rigorous yet supportive process

We’ve developed and refined our due diligence and selection process over several years. It’s designed to be robust and thorough, while minimising the burden on charities so they can stay focused on their vital work.

1. Research and Discovery

We actively seek out small charities that stand out for their creativity, local insight, and proven impact.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Turnover of less than £1.5 million and more than £150,000
  • Operate in the UK
  • Work primarily with children and young people under the age of 30
  • Have evidenced the need for their work
  • Can effectively demonstrate the impact they have
  • Led by capable, committed leaders who have a strategic mindset
  • Have robust systems and governance

2. Expression of Interest

Charities are invited to submit a short expression of interest outlining their work and the measurable outcomes they achieve for the children and young people they help. This stage lets us spot any deal breakers early, before asking a charity to put time into a full application.

3. Full Application and Review

We invite charities to complete a full application, as well as carrying out an in-depth review covering:

  • Strategic objectives and delivery plans
  • Impact on children and young people
  • Financial management and reserves policy
  • Fundraising strategies and risk registers
  • Safeguarding procedures

4. Raise Your Hands Assessment

Our team conducts further analysis into governance, diversity of income, trustee composition, and operational resilience — the cornerstones of strong small charity performance.

5. CEO Interview

Finally, we meet with each charity’s leadership to understand their mission, values, and organisational culture — ensuring strong alignment with Raise Your Hands’ ethos and long-term approach.

Ongoing monitoring and impact reporting

Our commitment doesn’t end with selection.

Each charity is reviewed annually against agreed organisational objectives and their impact on the young people they work with. We assess outcomes, identify challenges, and share insights across our network — ensuring continued effectiveness and accountability.

This ongoing process gives our donors and corporate partners full confidence that every pound raised makes a tangible difference.

  • When you support Raise Your Hands, every charity you help fund has already passed a bar most donors couldn’t test for themselves.

    Between us, we bring more than 30 years of sector experience to that decision. We know what to look for, and what to look out for. That’s what lets our donors and partners give with total peace of mind.
    Madelaine Jones
    Head of Partnerships