“No one has ever become poor by giving.” – Anne Frank
The 5th of September is the International Day of Charity.
Charity can help reduce the worst effects of humanitarian crises and supplement public services such as health care, education, housing, and child protection. It also promotes the rights of marginalized and underprivileged communities and spreads the message of humanity in times of conflict.
The date of 5 September was chosen in order to commemorate the anniversary of the passing away of Mother Teresa, a famous humanitarian who gave her life to helping people in suffering. The International Day of Charity was declared by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012. The prime purpose of the International Day of Charity is to raise awareness and provide a common platform for charity related activities all over the world for individuals, charitable, philanthropic and volunteer organizations for their own purposes on the local, national, regional and international level.
The existence of generosity and civil society is a constant in all societies. The Charities Aid Foundation’s World Giving Index offers a unique insight into how people engage in social activities for the benefit of their communities and to champion the growth of global giving.
Source: Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) 2024 World Giving Index
Indonesia ranks first on the World Giving Index for the seventh year running, having first overtaken Myanmar in 2017. As many as nine in 10 Indonesians donated money to charity, and more than six in 10 volunteered their time – the country tops the global league tables for both of these behaviours. Malta joins the top 10 for the first time ever. It has an index score of 54 points, up five points on last year, driven mainly by an increase in donating money.
On the occasion of the International Day of Charity, we want to give all the hard-working NGOs out there quick tips on how to use the day to fundraise, so that you can continue your great work.
The day is around the corner, chances are you won’t have time to pull together a major fundraising event. Instead, plan a small and quick fundraising event. It does not need to be in your working area. You could also ask your loyal supporters to host an event on your behalf. Lots of little events can add up quickly. It can be a charity ball, tea party, or a potluck, or just a personal online fundraising page with them inviting their networks and collecting the donation.
Plan a campaign on your social media platform – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. Remember the ice bucket challenge and Giving Tuesday campaign? Follow the trend. Give a shout-out about the International Day of Charity and structure it like an opportunity to come together as one for a cause. Add a tagline that fits your NGO and the fundraising strategy to the best. Talk about your successful ongoing project or a very new one that you want to start ASAP. Set a campaign on how much you need to raise, and why. Do not forget to ask your followers to share and also include it in your newsletter marketing tool.
Here you can use your volunteers to the best use. They already know what your organization does and value your work too. Use the day to fundraise and also to promote your NGO. You can also place donation jars in restaurants or malls, where people are spending money. For this, you may have to get permission first. Make a poster or sign, not the regular one but something that will grab people’s attention. Motivate your volunteers to approach people. Make a short pitch to use when asking for a donation. You will be surprised to see the outcome. Street Fundraising’s main benefit is its ability to generate immediate donations.
The role of Board members of an NGO is not only to oversee the operations of the organization but also to be active in the fundraising activity. Every board member should be donating something to your organization every year and what better day to set an example than donating on the International Day of Charity. The giving from board members not only indicates the commitment towards the NGO but also encourages other donors to give and can be used as a marketing tool to influence foundations that provide grants or other support.
How long has it been since you thanked your old and current donors? “Thank you” can be an incredibly powerful pair of words. And for most fundraisers, it is the No#1 strategy for creating loyal relations. A thank you message is a chance to deliver the warm feelings of goodwill that drive people to give more. A simple note can engage you on a personal level with your donor and also increases your chance for subsequent funding. UN days are an important time for fundraising. Even if you have already sent a thank you note, one more thank you note won’t hurt. But make sure you create a personal note for each one. Attach an image of the project they had supported. This is the best way of demonstrating both your appreciation and the donor’s impact. You can also send a thank you note to your supporters-volunteers, partners, others.
Priti is a Development Professional with years of experience as a Director of Operations for an American humanitarian organization in Nepal. She is a published writer and researcher focusing on international development funding and grassroots NGOs. She holds a master’s degree in Business. She oversees the team that provides support to NGOs and site users.
Great information
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