Become a Supporter
The British Benevolent Society of California provides aid and relief to British Citizens in need. Our support comes from generous donations, legacies and fundraising by members, and our community in California.
Throughout the year, we organize community events in California where we offer our members a chance to mingle with other Brits in a social setting. Our numerous community events are British focused and fun! They range from monthly happy hours to theater in and around the Bay Area to our annual Christmas Dinner. The idea behind all of our events is to provide you with the feeling that you are back at home in the UK.
With your help and support we can:
Continue to provide aid and relief to distressed British nationals in dire need of assistance.
Partner with the British Consulates General in San Francisco and Los Angeles to ensure people know where to find us.
Follow the tradition that began in 1858 to help those that need it the most.
Sponsorship
The BBS welcomes sponsors who can contribute a tax deductible amount in alignment to your organization's social responsibility strategy, to help British nationals in need. There are two types of sponsorship:
1) Sponsorship of a specific event:
Download Event PDF for details
2) Sponsorship of specific types of relief:
Download Relief PDF for details
Note not all cases require each of the listed support though they detail the pattern of aid generally provided under the most common circumstances of repatriation, healthcare, pensioner support or victims of crime.
Donate Today
Every week, we receive calls for help from British nationals facing unimaginable hardship, alone, far from home, and often without a safety net.
Some are elderly expats who’ve outlived their savings and now face eviction. Others are young professionals blindsided by a medical diagnosis, or single parents on the brink of losing their homes. Many are battling isolation, trauma, or navigating a crisis no one plans for, from domestic violence and bereavement to sudden unemployment, immigration complications, or the terrifying choice between medical care and shelter.
These aren’t faceless stories. They are our people, your people.
The BBS provides emergency relief with dignity and discretion. We don’t offer handouts. We offer hope, just enough support, at just the right moment, to help someone breathe again, plan again, live again.
Your tax-deductible donation goes to cover urgent needs like rent, repatriation, groceries, medication, or essential legal support. It helps reunite families. It saves lives.
💙 If you've ever known what it's like to feel uncertain, scared, or far from home, you already understand the power of someone saying: “You are not alone.” Be that someone. Be the reason they make it through.
Become a Member
Individual Membership
Connect with fellow Britons and be part of a community that cares. Whether you’re new to California or have called it home for years, BBS membership connects you through social and cultural events, volunteer opportunities, and a shared commitment to helping others. Your membership helps British citizens facing hardship throughout California and the Western U.S.
Young Professional Membership
Connect with other young Britons, build your network, and make a difference. As a Young Professional member, you’ll meet new people through social and networking events, get involved in the BBS community, and build meaningful connections along the way. You’ll also have opportunities to give back and play an active role in BBS’s charitable mission. Ages 18–25.
Business Membership
Partner with BBS and make a meaningful difference in the community. Corporate membership connects your company with a vibrant network of British professionals and businesses while demonstrating your commitment to social responsibility. Build valuable relationships while helping BBS support British citizens facing hardship.
Affiliate Membership
Join a tradition of community and compassion that spans more than 165 years. As a BBS Affiliate, your organization becomes part of a network committed to supporting British citizens in need and strengthening the British community. Together, we can extend the reach of our charitable work and make a meaningful difference.
Leave a Legacy of Compassion
For over 165 years, the British Benevolent Society of California has been a steadfast source of support for British nationals facing unforeseen hardships in the Western United States. From emergency repatriations to assistance with housing, medical crises, and bereavement, our mission is to ensure that no Briton faces adversity alone.
By including BBS in your estate plans, you can extend this legacy of compassion and ensure that future generations receive the support they need during their most challenging times.
Other Meaningful Ways to Give
Beyond traditional donations, there are many ways to support the British Benevolent Society. Whether through stock gifts, retirement distributions, or employer matching, each contribution strengthens our ability to respond to British nationals in crisis.
Gifts of Appreciated Stock or Mutual Funds
Donating appreciated stocks or mutual funds can be a tax-efficient way to support the British Benevolent Society while helping us provide vital assistance to British nationals in need. You may be eligible to deduct the full fair market value of your gift while avoiding capital gains tax on the appreciation.
Interested in making a gift? We can provide simple transfer instructions and coordinate with your broker. Please contact info@bbsofca.org to get started.
Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs)
A donor-advised fund (DAF) is a simple, tax-efficient way to support the British Benevolent Society. If you have a DAF, you can recommend a grant to help provide vital assistance to British citizens in need across the Western United States.
To recommend a grant, provide your fund manager with our legal name, British Benevolent Society of California, Inc., and EIN 94-1294900.
IRA Charitable Distributions
If you are age 70½ or older, you may be able to make a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) directly from your IRA to the British Benevolent Society. A QCD can satisfy all or part of your required minimum distribution while being excluded from taxable income.
To make a QCD, ask your IRA administrator to make the distribution directly to British Benevolent Society of California, Inc. Consult your tax advisor for guidance specific to your situation.
Employer Matching Gifts & Grants
Your employer may match your charitable contribution, allowing you to increase your support for the British Benevolent Society at no additional cost. Some companies also match gifts from retirees or spouses.
Check with your employer to see if they offer a matching gift program. If you need documentation to complete your request, please contact info@bbsofca.org.