The Live Comedy Association (LCA) has launched a major new fund aimed to support the grassroots UK live comedy sector. Stand Up And Give is an umbrella campaign to raise money to feed back into the sector to support comedians, promoters, festivals, venues, clubs and other people working across the UK.
The fund initially aims to raise £50,000 before Christmas and organisers say it will support people working in the sector with training and development opportunities as well as other initiatives. Stand Up And Give will also help support the lobbying of government and projects including those that use laughter and comedy to improve mental health and wellbeing. Pledges can be made by visiting https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/stand-up-give
The LCA is a Community Interest Company, set up during the pandemic to support people working in live comedy. In February 2023 the CIC adopted 2 new Directors who took on the organisation with the main aim of getting live comedy recognised by government as being a vital part of the UK’s cultural landscape. Since that time the Directors have also appointed an Advisory Panel, with 20 members working within the sector.
Jessica Toomey, co-chair of the LCA, said “we have been thrilled with the support we have received over the last couple of years from people working in live comedy who welcome having a membership organisation that represents them. We have seen some considerable progress, with MPs recognising live comedy as being important and a higher profile of the contribution our sector makes to the UK. Our economic impact is estimated to be in excess of £1billion each year, but we know we also contribute to positive mental health, vibrant communities, and the development of our artform.
Despite all this, we know that live comedy receives no government support and isn’t included as being a part of the creative industries. With support we can continue to work to change this and get live comedy on the agenda.
Stand Up And Give is a new fund which will support all of this and much more. We have watched in awe what our colleagues in the grassroots live music sector have been doing, and the support they have received from people working in live music as well as fans. The principle is now clear that people want to give back to emerging musicians and bands, but also festivals, venues and others working in that sector. Our live comedy fund is starting with an appeal for donations via the crowd funder, but it will grow and will include other donations and fundraising events and activities.
It really feels like there is a change happening in live comedy and people are understanding the importance of it, and also the need for us all to support one another, and build our community, to ensure the future of what we do.”
The LCA organised a crowd funder in 2021 and raised almost £80,000 to support people affected by the pandemic. Since that time the organisation has
- Conducted the first-ever UK live comedy sector survey, in partnership with the Centre for Comedy Studies Research at Brunel University
- Published the sector report at the 2025 Live Comedy AGM
- Lobbied the DCMS Select Committee and spoke at an evidence session in Parliament
- Been featured in media including The Observer, Times Radio, The Independent, BBC local radio, and The Political Party podcast
- Delivered online workshops on funding and hosted regular member meetings
Following the Government’s DCMS Select Committee evidence session, which took place in April 2025, the Chair of the panel, Dame Caroline Dinenage MP, said “Despite its widespread and enduring role in our cultural landscape, we should not be fooled into thinking that it’s always a barrel of laughs for our nation’s stand ups, small venues, festivals and those that make the mirth happen behind the scenes. Like so many other of our successful creative industries it can be a precarious place to be and no joke for those away from the glare of the big stage spotlight.”
