Celtic and charity — Is one of these a dirty word.
By Jamie Gribben
Celtic Football Club’s charitable endeavours are nothing short of remarkable. In October 2024, the Celtic FC Foundation raised an astounding £420,000 at their London Gala Dinner. a month ago, £120,000 was raised at Celtic Park.
Just this past week, they added to that feat by collecting over $400,000 at their New York Gala Dinner. These figures aren't anomalies; they're part of a proud, longstanding tradition of philanthropy dating back to the club's very inception.
The club supports countless community and charitable programmes across the world and the words, Celtic, and, charity, are synonymous to many fans.
Yet despite this unparalleled commitment to charity, recognition from Scotland’s civic institutions and mainstream media remains conspicuously absent. Has any football club globally matched Celtic’s sustained dedication to charitable causes? And if not, why does Celtic continually find itself overlooked, undervalued, and under-recognised?
Take, for example, the recent charity match organised by Hearts of the Game, which was rightly praised in the Scottish Parliament. Such recognition was entirely appropriate – good deeds deserve acknowledgment. Yet it’s impossible to ignore how sharply this contrasts with the deafening silence that often greets Celtic’s own far-reaching charitable work. Where was the applause when Celtic were breaking records with fundraising events that reached nearly half a million pounds in one evening?
Perhaps Celtic’s consistent generosity is taken for granted precisely because our rivals rarely match it. Maybe this culture of charitable giving is so embedded within our club’s identity that it becomes expected rather than exceptional, thus not considered "newsworthy." Or maybe there’s a deeper reason at play: perhaps Scotland’s civic and media establishments still harbour an ingrained contempt for football – particularly the football community Celtic represents.
Could it be that Celtic’s roots and culture – deeply Irish, Catholic, and unapologetically proud – still provoke discomfort among Scotland’s pearl-clutchers? It’s uncomfortable but necessary to ask if prejudice plays a role in how Celtic’s immense charitable contributions are systematically ignored.
The Scottish media often rushes to cover transfer rumours, disciplinary issues, or any hint of controversy involving Celtic. Yet when the club contributes hugely to societal good, that same media largely shrugs its shoulders or looks away. This selective blindness isn't just insulting; it perpetuates a harmful stereotype that football is incapable of genuine social good.
There are many football clubs in the world claiming charitable credentials. But in sheer scale, continuity, and impact, few – if any – can genuinely rival Celtic’s consistent generosity. From its origins in Brother Walfrid’s charity for impoverished communities, to today’s multimillion-pound fundraising initiatives, Celtic is genuinely unmatched.
It's high time Scotland’s civic institutions and media outlets recognised this exceptional contribution. The club’s record speaks volumes – raising fortunes for communities, hospitals, and charitable causes year after year. Ignoring these efforts serves nobody, diminishes Scotland’s social conscience, and denies recognition to a football club that’s consistently shown its true colours – green, white, and deeply compassionate.