International Day of Charity

The International Day of Charity, observed annually on September 5th, was designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012 to promote charitable giving, volunteerism, and humanitarian action as tools for eradicating poverty and addressing humanitarian crises around the world. The date was specifically chosen to commemorate the anniversary of the death of Mother Teresa, the Catholic nun and missionary renowned for her decades of charitable work assisting the poor, sick, and dying in Calcutta, India, whose selfless dedication to helping others became a globally recognized symbol of humanitarian service and earned her the Nobel Peace Prize. The observance encourages individuals, organizations, and governments worldwide to recognize and celebrate the role that charitable giving and voluntary service play in addressing pressing social issues, from poverty and hunger to disaster relief and access to education and healthcare. The United Nations emphasizes that charity, in its various forms, can help build more inclusive and resilient societies by mobilizing resources and goodwill toward those most in need, complementing broader governmental and institutional efforts to achieve sustainable development goals. The International Day of Charity is marked by charitable fundraising events, volunteer initiatives, awareness campaigns highlighting the impact of philanthropic giving, and public recognition of individuals and organizations making significant charitable contributions to their communities and the world.