Leeds ranked as one of the hotspots for charity fundraising in 2026
Leeds has been named as one of the UK’s biggest hotspots for fundraising, according to data from JustGiving.
In the first three months of 2026, Leeds came in at number seven in the list of places with the most individuals undertaking fundraising challenges for good causes*.
Manchester tops the list, holding steady from last quarter, with Glasgow in second place and Bristol in third, with Nottingham and Newcastle completing the top five.
The list has been compiled by JustGiving, the UK’s largest fundraising platform for charitable giving, to mark the launch of the 2026 JustGiving Awards, which looks to celebrate remarkable people up and down the country raising money for causes close to their hearts.
Leeds is a city of runners according to the data, with running and marathons proving the most popular vehicles for fundraising in 2026 so far, with causes like cancer care, dementia support and Motor Neurone Disease (MND) care driving the most donations among locals.
The 2026 JustGiving Awards are now open for nominations, with members of the public invited to put forward inspiring fundraisers from across the UK. The awards celebrate remarkable individuals, families and groups who have gone above and beyond to raise money for a charity or personal cause over the past 18 months.
Finalists will be shortlisted before going forward to a public vote later this year. The awards aim to shine a spotlight on the stories of generosity, determination and community spirit that continue to inspire people across the country.
Andy Hobson, from Leeds, was a finalist in the 2025 JustGiving Awards in the Outstanding Commitment category. He completed seven ultra-marathons in seven days from Leeds to London, raising funds for the Music Venue Trust, driven by his mental health journey and in tribute to the venues that helped him heal.
Pascale Harvie, President and General Manager of JustGiving, said: “Every year, the JustGiving Awards gives us the opportunity to celebrate some of the most inspiring fundraisers in communities like Leeds. With more than one million fundraising pages created on JustGiving last year, there is no shortage of incredible individuals, families, groups, and even pets, going above and beyond for the causes closest to their hearts.
“Last year, the public submitted 18,000 nominations, shining an important light on the fundraisers whose generosity, determination and impact continue to inspire people across the world. We cannot wait to see who they put forward this year.”