Frequently Asked Questions
What is Red Nose Day?
Red Nose Day is a campaign to end child poverty, one nose at a time. Through the power of entertainment, Red Nose Day raises money and awareness to ensure children who need our help the most are safe, healthy and educated in America and around the world.
Red Nose Day 2020 was on Thursday, May 21, 2020. On that day, millions of Americans, celebrities and businesses came together to fundraise, donate, and tune in for a special night of programming on NBC.
In its first six years, Red Nose Day has raised over $230 million and positively impacted the lives of nearly 25 million children.
Who is the organization behind Red Nose Day?
Red Nose Day in the United States is a program of Comic Relief US, a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Comic Relief US harnesses the power of entertainment to drive positive change to help those who need it most in America and around the world. Campaigns include Red Nose Day, Idol Gives Back, and Hand in Hand: A Benefit for Hurricane Relief. You can find out more at ComicRelief.org.
When is Red Nose Day?
Red Nose Day 2020 was on Thursday May 21.
Are you going to sell Red Noses in 2020?
In light of the COVID-19 global health crisis, and in an effort to help the public adhere to current health recommendations to avoid face-touching, Walgreens will not be selling Red Noses in its stores this year. This decision was made in conjunction with Walgreens out of an abundance of caution for the safety and well-being of our supporters.
Red Nose Day took place on Thursday, May 21, 2020 and instead this year, supporters were able to unlock a digital Red Nose by making an online donation to Red Nose Day. While the digital Red Nose is no longer available, you can still support Red Nose Day by donating or fundraising. If you'd like to learn more about the digital Red Nose, you can head here.
Now, more than ever, we need to help support children in need as they face increased challenges amid school closures, interruptions in family income and much more. Learn more about Red Nose Day’s response to the COVID-19 crisis here.
How can I get a digital Red Nose?
The digital Red Nose is no longer available. You can still support Red Nose Day by donating or fundraising. If you'd like to learn more about the digital Red Nose, you can head here
Where does the money go?
Money raised through Red Nose Day provides grants to support programs that ensure children who are living in poverty are safe, healthy and educated. Half of the money supports programs in America across all 50 states and Puerto Rico; the other half supports programs internationally in some of the poorest communities in Latin America, Africa and Asia.
We work with a range of Grantee Partners who deliver these programs on the ground. You can find out more about the amazing programs we support at RedNoseDay.org/impact.
I would like to donate. How can I send in my contribution?
Online: Donating online is our easiest option. You can make a one-time or monthly gift online using any major credit card or your PayPal account at RedNoseDay.org/Donate
By Mail: Please send checks or money orders made payable to "Red Nose Day" to our PO Box:
Red Nose Day Fund
PO Box 419828
Boston, MA 02241-9828
Donations to the Red Nose Day Fund are tax-deductible to the extent provided by U.S. law. For donations made online, you'll receive a tax receipt via email for your records right away. For donations made by check or money order, you'll receive a receipt by mail within 8 weeks of your donation.
Please note we cannot accept non-cash goods or items as donations (e.g. canned food, clothing, toiletries).
*If you held a fundraiser where you collected donations from others, please see fundraiser pay-in instructions below.
I want to fundraise for Red Nose Day. How do I turn in the money I raised?
You can always start an online fundraising page! Visit RedNoseDay.org/Fundraise to get ideas and resources, and get started today! You can raise money for Red Nose Day all year long.
If you collected money from others, and want to pay in online without setting up a page: You can use any major credit card or your PayPal account to turn in your fundraising dollars here.
By Mail: If you've collected checks while fundraising, please make sure they are made payable to "Red Nose Day" so you can send them in on behalf of your supporters by using the official Fundraising Check Mail-In.
*Please note if you are turning in money raised through a Red Nose Day fundraiser you are not able to claim a tax deduction for that contribution amount.
Is my donation tax deductible?
Comic Relief US — also known as Comic Relief Inc. — is the nonprofit behind of Red Nose Day. It is a 501(c)(3) organization with Federal Tax ID 01-0885377. Your donation is tax deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law.
Can I use payroll giving to make a regular donation to Red Nose Day from my pay?
Yes – if your employer operates a payroll giving scheme then you can set up a regular deduction from your pay and request that it comes to Red Nose Day. Please ask your employer for more information.
I know that my employer operates a matched giving scheme. How can I get them to match my donation?
Ask your employer for a matched giving form and send it along with your check, online payment reference or bank receipt to:
Comic Relief Inc Red Nose Day Fund
PO Box 419828
Boston, MA 02241-9828
Email MatchingGifts@ComicRelief.org with any questions.
Can I allocate my donation to go to US or International projects or a specific project only?
We are unable to allocate your money to a specific project or country, but every dollar of the money distributed through the Red Nose Day Fund has the potential to change the lives of children in need, in America and around the world.
Can I apply for a grant from the Red Nose Day Fund?
Grant applications for The Red Nose Day Fund are by invitation only. The Red Nose Day Fund does not accept unsolicited grant applications.
Is my donation tax deductible?
Comic Relief USA — also known as Comic Relief Inc. — is the parent organization of Red Nose Day. It is a 501(c)(3) organization with Federal Tax ID 01-0885377. Your donation is tax-deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law.