On 3 December 2024, the George Michael Fund announced that it had earmarked the 40‑year‑old royalties from 'Last Christmas' for a new grant programme, marking a fresh chapter in the singer’s legacy.
The initiative will provide Christmas gifts to children from low‑income families, fund counselling sessions for teens battling mental health issues, and offer support for LGBTQ+ youth fleeing homelessness or family rejection. Sarah Patel, director of Step2, said: 'We can now offer additional counseling sessions at the Mayfield Centre thanks to this funding.'
It follows the original 1984 decision to channel the single’s earnings into famine relief in Ethiopia, a move that cemented the track’s reputation as a charitable anthem.
The George Michael Fund, managed by The Talent Fund on behalf of the Mill Charitable Trust, was formally launched in 2024 after Michael’s estate secured the rights to his catalogue.
The organisation plans to repeat the grant programme next year, ensuring that every December the song’s profits continue to aid vulnerable youngsters across the UK.