Every year on September 11th, Cantor Fitzgerald and BGC Partners hold a poignant Charity Day event that honours the memory of more than 650 employees killed in the 9/11 attacks. This annual occasion transforms what was a tragic day into a global celebration of generosity, with 100% of the global revenues from trading activities donated to a wide range of charitable causes. Since its inception in 2005, the event has raised a remarkable total exceeding $336 million worldwide, supporting hundreds of charities dedicated to various humanitarian and social missions.

The event’s significance extends beyond fundraising; it is also a day of remembrance and community solidarity. Held simultaneously in the company’s offices across London, New York, Paris, Singapore, Hong Kong, São Paulo, and Sydney, the fundraising efforts reflect a global commitment to honouring those lost while giving back to communities in need. At the London headquarters, for instance, Lorraine Logan, president of Muscular Dystrophy UK, expressed her gratitude for the event. “This is the grand trading day at BGC that goes towards a range of charities, incredible charities, all of them,” she said. The diverse roster of beneficiaries includes organisations such as Help For Heroes, the West Ham United Foundation, Battersea Cats and Dogs Home, and The Mayor’s Fund for London, highlighting the broad impact of the funds raised.

Celebrity involvement is a distinctive feature of Charity Day, attracting stars spanning the worlds of sport, entertainment, and media who lend their support by joining the trading floors. Recent participants have included actors Tom Hardy and Hugh Grant, boxer Anthony Joshua, and television presenters Davina McCall and Amanda Holden. Previous years have seen appearances by prominent figures such as Robert De Niro, former US presidents, sports icons Eli and Peyton Manning, as well as models and entertainers including Cindy Crawford and Candice Swanepoel. These celebrities help draw attention to the causes being supported and contribute to the day’s festive, hopeful atmosphere.

Funds raised on Charity Day have enabled a broad spectrum of philanthropic work around the globe. For example, God’s Love We Deliver, which participated in the New York event, has provided thousands of meals to emergency workers and vulnerable community members since 9/11. The Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund initially set up to support families affected by 9/11 has expanded its mission to assist victims of terrorism, natural disasters, and other crises worldwide, underscoring the evolving reach and ongoing relevance of the charity’s work.

While the amount raised annually tends to vary around $12 million, the cumulative impact of Charity Day is undeniable, turning a day marked by loss into one defined by hope, resilience, and generosity. The involvement of multiple global offices and partnerships with around 150 charities globally demonstrates how corporate philanthropy can mobilise significant positive change over the long term.

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Source: Noah Wire Services