Charities see big drop in donations, some urge rethink in fundraising methods
SINGAPORE : A survey of 10 charities has revealed poor takings in
the past financial year, with donations falling by as much as S$2.03
million.
While the economic downturn was cited as a reason, other factors include the end of fundraising drives held in other years.
But in Singapore, the Handicaps Welfare Organisation has bucked the
trend, collecting over $171,000 more from the previous financial year.
A key to its success is its lucky draw fundraiser, which helped offset the drop in takings from flag days.
Charities interviewed by TODAY said the 'tin-can' method of the
fundraising may not work as well as in the past, especially with
growing competition among voluntary welfare organisations (VWOs) for
donor support.
Some have suggested going for more creative methods, such as lotteries similar to that run by the blind in Ireland.
For the charity sector, the government is one alternative source of funds.
Earlier it announced a $15 million contingency fund to help VWOs tide over the economic crisis.
About $9 million have so far been disbursed by the ministries of health, and community development, youth and sports.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1009290/1/.html
after all the scams and misappropriations, along with the recession, i think people have just given up
also, the amount of people with fingers in the donation pie tends to reduce the effect of giving. personally i'm not convinced the cash is landing on the doorstep of the needy.