5. Being the Lord Mayor's Charity
Each year, the Lord Mayor selects a single charity to support throughout their Mayoral year (May to May). On average, between £10,000 and £20,000 is raised, depending on how proactive the charity is. Wherever possible, funds raised during the year should be spent within the local community.
All money collected or donated during the Mayoral year is allocated to the chosen charity and is typically released at the end of the term, usually around late June.
The Lord Mayor selects a charity to help raise awareness of its important work, while also supporting its fundraising efforts.
Although the Lord Mayor’s Office organises a small number of fundraising events during the year and provides support where possible, fundraising is not its primary role. The main responsibility for raising funds remains with the charity itself. We do not expect the charity to organise additional fundraising events. Existing activities can simply be promoted under the banner of being the Lord Mayor’s chosen charity.
The Historic Guildhall will be made available free of charge for up to four events during the Mayoral year, subject to availability. The charity is encouraged to make full use of this opportunity to host fundraising events, awareness activities, or internal functions such as Annual General Meetings, conferences, or dinners.
The charity will also be asked to provide volunteers to support a number of Mayoral events. A guide to typical requirements is outlined below:
Volunteers at Mayoral Events
- Lord Mayor’s Coffee Morning (monthly): Minimum of 5 volunteers
- Christmas with the Lord Mayor (bucket collection): Minimum of 10 volunteers
- External Concerts bucket collections throughout the year: Up to 2 volunteers
Where possible, the Lord Mayor’s Office will assist in promoting the charity’s events via the Lord Mayor’s social media channels, and potentially through Exeter City Council platforms.
The Lord Mayor will also attend events, subject to availability, to show support and help raise awareness.
Being chosen as the Lord Mayor’s Charity is both a rewarding and demanding opportunity. For many organisations, it is a unique, once-in-a-lifetime experience that offers valuable exposure and community engagement.