Comic Relief's Red Nose Day Returns on May 22, Bringing Joy and Laughter While Helping Children Get The Education, Healthcare, and Safety They Need To Thrive

Less childhood poverty. More childhood.
Funds Raised During Comic Relief's Red Nose Day Provide Life-Changing Support
to Children and Young People Experiencing Poverty

New This Year, Mattel's Play it Forward initiative Joins Returning Partners NBC,
Humble Bundle, Critical Role Foundation, eBay for Charity,
British Airways, Dotdash Meredith, and Hikma

NEW YORK, May 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Comic Relief's Red Nose Day returns on May 22, 2025. The transformative campaign by Comic Relief US harnesses the power of comedy and laughter to raise vital funds to help end childhood poverty, giving kids more childhood. That means greater access to education, safe housing, healthcare, and the chance to chase their dreams.

Launched in 2015, Red Nose Day (rednoseday.org) is Comic Relief's annual fundraising campaign centered on the iconic Red Nose, a globally recognized symbol of fun and generosity that inspires widespread participation. Through its universality, simplicity, and utter silliness, the Red Nose disarms, invites, and inspires action. Corporate partners, celebrities, and millions of Americans have rallied around and generously supported the campaign, uniting in Comic Relief's mission to drive social change through the power of comedy.

Since its inception, Comic Relief's Red Nose Day has raised more than $436 million, empowering nearly 50 grantee partners to reach more than 35 million children and young people with healthy food, quality education, and safe shelter. Funds raised have helped by serving more than 47 million meals to children, providing access to education programs to more than 1.1 million children and youth, and enrolling more than 2.2 million children and youth in safety programs.

This year, Comic Relief's Red Nose Day welcomes Mattel's Play it Forward initiative as a new partner, joining NBC, Humble Bundle, British Airways, eBay for Charity, Critical Role Foundation, Dotdash Meredith, and Hikma in supporting the campaign.

In addition to donations made via Comic Relief's partner offerings, individuals can support Comic Relief's Red Nose Day and amplify its impact while having fun by putting on a Red Nose with the Red Nose Day USA filter on social media, now available on TikTok and Snapchat.

The interactive filter offers an easy way to support the campaign and join the movement to bring people together to create change and help further Comic Relief's vision of a just world free from poverty. 

"During these challenging times, where the struggles of children in poverty are intensified, the spirit of Comic Relief's Red Nose Day is more important than ever," said Michele Ganeless, CEO, Comic Relief US. "With the power of comedy and the iconic Red Nose, we can break down barriers, spark conversations, and inspire generosity. And, with the help of our donors, we will deliver vital resources to our partners working to provide life-changing support for the children who need it most."

A million more kids in the US are facing poverty this year than last. That's a million more kids with less of what they need to thrive. Today, one in five children faces hunger, and the number of children living without health insurance has increased to over 4.4 million. The number of children experiencing homelessness on a single night in 2024 saw a 33% increase. Comic Relief uses money raised during its annual Red Nose Day fundraising campaign to support community-based partners and programs addressing the immediate and long-term needs of children facing poverty, setting them up for a lifetime of success.

Donations from Comic Relief's Red Nose Day support expanding access to fresh, nutritious food, medicine, health checkups, and life-saving treatments; supporting mental health programs so children can thrive emotionally and socially; supporting quality early childhood education programs that set a strong foundation for learning and development; ensuring young people experiencing homelessness or instability have access to the support they need; providing job training, career exploration and college preparation programs that open doors for young people to earn and build a brighter future.

Red Nose Day, which launched in the UK in 1988, was created by Oscar-nominated and Emmy-winning writer-director Richard Curtis ("Yesterday," "Love Actually," "Bridget Jones' Diary"). Red Nose Day campaigns in the UK and the US have together raised more than $2 billion globally. Hundreds of stars have supported Red Nose Day in the US, including Jack Black, Julia Roberts, Idris Elba, Paul Rudd, Courteney Cox, Jennifer Garner, Kelly Clarkson, John Legend, Jeff Goldblum, Connie Britton, the Jonas Brothers, Jocko Sims, Tony Hale, Sebastián Yatra, Elizabeth Banks, Blake Shelton, Ed Sheeran, Mindy Kaling, Coldplay, Daniel Craig, Will Ferrell, Kenan Thompson, Jane Lynch, Sean Hayes, Kristen Bell, and many more.

About Comic Relief US‍
Comic Relief US is a nonprofit committed to breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty. It harnesses the power of entertainment to drive positive social change, mobilizing donors of all ages through powerful content-driven campaigns and new digital platforms. To date, the nonprofit has raised over $436 million, positively impacting more than 35 million children and young people in the US and around the world. Donations are invested in grantee partners and social impact programs that ensure children are safe, healthy, educated, and empowered and that address the root causes of poverty in the most impacted communities. Comic Relief US, also known as Comic Relief, Inc., is a registered U.S. 501(c)(3) public charity. For more information about Comic Relief US and its impact, visit https://www.comicrelief.org. Follow @ComicReliefUS on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and Facebook.

Media Contacts
For Red Nose Day/Comic Relief US:
Steve Albani, [email protected]
Aileen Budow, [email protected]

SOURCE Comic Relief US