Charity is more than just a registration number

As we approach the announcement of our Class of 2026, I’ve been thinking about the name we chose for this venture, the Charity Hall of Fame.

I know the word 'charity' can prompt mixed reactions. For some it suggests registered organisations, governance codes and fundraising. For others, it can feel paternalistic, or tied to the idea that charity only exists because society has failed.

Those are legit views and I wrestled with them myself before we launched. But to me the word charity has a much older and deeper meaning. It's rooted in the Latin word 'caritas' meaning love, generosity and goodwill, so at its heart charity is not a regulatory status but an act. It's a decision to care about others and to act on that care without seeking personal gain, beyond the joy of seeing change happen.

That is the meaning I wanted to reclaim.

Charity Hall of Fame was never intended to be a celebration of registered organisations, there are plenty of awards that already do that. Instead we're here to celebrate the changemakers, the people whose courage, compassion and persistence have shaped society for the better.

Some of our Inductees have founded charities. Others have built movements, challenged injustice, created safe spaces or transformed public policy, sometimes in controversial ways. Some are historical figures whose ideas reshaped the moral landscape of their time, often against huge odds. What unites them is not their organisational form but their commitment to helping others, to making society a better place for all.

"Charity... is not simply a remedy for inequality, it's a reflection of our shared humanity."

I get that some see charity as a symbol of a society that has not treated everyone equally. It is true that many forms of charitable action arose in response to injustice or systemic failure. But even in the most utopian society, there would still be a place for generosity, compassion and a desire to help. The impulse to care for one another, to give time, energy or resources without expecting anything in return is not simply a remedy for inequality, it's a reflection of our shared humanity.

In recent years, the word charity has sometimes been overshadowed by headlines about governance failures or funding controversies. Organisations are run by people, and people are imperfect. But imperfection does not necessarily invalidate intention, nor does it erase the good that has been done even if the journey was somewhat flawed. In my view this makes it even more important to restore the dignity of the word itself. Charity should stand for moral courage, for service, kindness and, when needed, change. For people who choose to use their talents, influence or lived experience to lift others up.

By calling our initiative the Charity Hall of Fame I wanted to make a clear statement that helping others should be aspirational and something to be proud of. And that community leadership deserves recognition. Because charity at its best is not about status or structure, but about love, respect and hope expressed through action.

Jamie Ward-Smith is the Founder of Charity Hall of Fame

We'll soon be announcing the Class of 2026 but don't forget that nominations remain open all year round. So if you know of a community changemaker – past or present – who embodies generosity, justice and impact, please do nominate them!