Thursday 5 September is International Day of Charity!
From funded projects and memberships to volunteering and donating, there are plenty of opportunities to support Fulham Palace on International Day of Charity! International Day of Charity was introduced globally to increase awareness of charity work around the world. Here at the Palace, we see this day as a celebration of all the acts of kindness and giving that help keep the site open to all, as well as facilitate all the fantastic projects that allow the Palace to grow and thrive in the local community.
We love being able to share the site of Fulham Palace with the public free of charge, especially with the decrease in free third spaces across London. As an independent charitable trust, we receive no government funding, which means we rely on other sources to generate the necessary income we need to operate. These sources include our incredible Friends and Patrons, grants and funding from charitable foundations and the generous donations from individual and corporate donors.
Our supporters allow us to keep the Palace open for visitors to enjoy, while continuing the preservation and restoration work of our unique historic site.
Today, we want to share with you some of the ways for you to show your charitable support as well as some of the recent contributions our supporters have made.
Volunteers
Volunteering is a vital aspect of charity, especially for an organisation as small as ours. We wouldn’t be able to put on our fantastic programme of events, staff our museum desk, or even complete some of our crucial behind-the-scenes work without the dedication and generosity of our volunteer cohort. We are so grateful for their continued support!
Friends & Patrons
We wouldn’t be where we are now without the generous support provided by our Patrons and Friends of Fulham Palace who help fund a range of activities. We recently celebrated International Day of Friendship, but we wanted to shout out our incredible members once again. They help fund essential projects, educational programs and initiatives, as well as ongoing historic conservation and community events that bring history to life for everyone.
As Friends for over 10 years we not only enjoy the benefits of membership – the summer garden party, private tours to other interesting venues, supporter’s supper clubs and more – but we also know that we are contributing towards ensuring the future of Fulham Palace and all that it has to offer to the local community and beyond.
Quote from Kate Groenholm, Friend of Fulham Palace
Corporate partners
We are fortunate to have the support of many local businesses, who all play a vital role in the achievements of the Palace.
One of our wonderful corporate supporters is the fabulous LMA property. Leah, director of the organisation, has been a volunteer at the Palace for multiple years now, and can be seen to be a friendly face at the museum front desk, or helping at our events. Leah has also sponsored the annual chair’s summer garden party and will be sponsoring our upcoming wine tasting event. It has been a pleasure to work alongside a local business who gives back to their community like Leah!
Volunteering at Fulham Palace is a treat in my working week where I get to help the visiting locals in a gorgeous setting. The staff are all so fabulous and so it’s a pleasure to be a part of!
Leah Oaker, volunteer & corporate partner
Funded projects:
We are grateful to have funding from the incredible Lyon Charitable Trust, who support our get into gardening project, a key part of our educational outreach work.
The get into gardening project aims to help children and young people who have been identified as needing extra support and could benefit from an enriched educational offer. We actively engage with local educational partners, including primary schools, SEN schools, alternative provisions, local charities and the local authority, enabling us to provide people with the opportunity to work alongside our garden team on a variety of horticultural activities.
Many of the young people who participate in the project experience a wide range of barriers in their lives and engaging with them is immensely rewarding. We are constantly adapting the programme to meet the individual needs of the participants to provide the best support we can, from shorter working days to providing advice on budgeting and eating regular meals.
Fundraising appeal: a new greenhouse in the walled garden
If you would like to give on international day of charity, why not support our current fundraising appeal?
The greenhouse appeal is a vital initiative within our ongoing commitment to sustainability. With your support, we’re set to cultivate a vibrant hub for environmental education and community engagement right in the heart of our historic garden.
Our new greenhouse will be built to the right of our existing vinery and will allow us to run a myriad of activities, including immersive nature workshops, inclusive community sessions, and enriching educational experiences for children of all ages.
Thanks to our wonderful supporters, we have already fundraised £13,000 but we need your support to help us hit our target of £25,000.