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Generous Guardian readers have so far raised more than \u00a3500,000 for the Hope appeal<\/a> supporting inspirational grassroots charities that bring together divided communities, promote tolerance, and tackle racism and hatred.<\/p>\n The 2025 Guardian appeal is raising funds for five charities<\/a>: Citizens UK, the Linking Network, Locality, Hope Unlimited Charitable Trust, and Who Is Your Neighbour?<\/p>\n Our partner charities deliver practical projects designed to foster empathy, build trust and promote positive change on the issues that matter for local communities, from affordable housing to youth clubs, arts projects to food kitchens.<\/p>\n The appeal launched earlier this month as a constructive blast of hope and optimism against an increasingly unsettling backdrop of extremist violence and harassment, anti-migrant rhetoric, and the re-emergence of \u201c1970s-style racism\u201d<\/a>.<\/p>\n Our coverage includes Lucy Knight\u2019s moving account of SaSh, a Jewish-Muslim charity food kitchen project supported by Hope Unlimited that tackles hatred and hunger with joy and irrepressible determination<\/a>.<\/p>\n As one donor told us: \u201cThe story about SaSh was beautiful and gives me hope.\u201d<\/p>\n A SaSh trustee, Andrea Chipman, was talking about the Nottingham-based project but arguably summed up the spirit of the entire 2025 appeal when she said: \u201cWhen everything\u2019s feeling a bit hopeless, [it\u2019s] a very local hands-on way where you can make a difference.\u201d<\/p>\n Other recent highlights of our appeal coverage include Taj Ali\u2019s Guardian film featuring the work of Locality member Back on the Map<\/a>, a community organisation revitalising a Sunderland neighbourhood after far-right riots<\/a> in 2024; and Helen Pidd\u2019s report on Who Is Your Neighbour?\u2019s pioneering work holding \u201cdifficult conversations\u201d<\/a>.<\/p>\n The appeal has struck a chord with many donors. One emailed: \u201cThis country is full of decent and wonderful people who want to help those around them. Hate doesn\u2019t help those who are in need, love and kindness do.\u201d<\/p>\n Gurinder Josan Singh, the chair of Hope Unlimited, said: \u201cWe are incredibly grateful to Guardian readers for your generous support. We believe by funding local organisations at the forefront of the fight against hate and division, your donations will make a huge difference in bringing people together and building hope.\u201d<\/p>\n