For the first time since its inception, four grassroots
charitable organizations have been nominated for Chinese Charity
Awards, the highest governmental honor that recognizes philanthropy
in China.
In recent years, civil charitable organizations have become an
indispensable force in philanthropic endeavors in China, according
to Wang Zhenyao, director of the disaster relief department of the
Ministry of Civil Affairs. He added that 65 percent of donations
raised last year were from non-governmental sources.
One of the four nominees, Shunqiziran, initiated by an anonymous
philanthropist in Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province, donated 1.17 million yuan
(US$150,221) to the Zhejiang Provincial Charity Federation over a
period of seven years.
Also nominated is The Infinite Love, an Internet-based
organization launched by Lu Hongying, an employee at a traditional
Chinese medicine hospital in Wuji County, Hebei Province. Lu was so moved by a news
report in 2000 on poor students that he established the website on
October 20 that year as a means of raising funds for them. In his
spare time, he met with poor students and published their stories
on the website. He took it upon himself to forward any donations
received to these students, on occasion even delivering donated
goods directly to them. To ensure that everything he does is above
board, he also publishes information on how donations are
distributed.
Like Lu, many other grassroots charities rely heavily on the
Internet as a means of communication because it is quick,
convenient and interactive.
Established in 2005, www.gesanghua.org is a students assistance
website that has raised more than 1 million yuan (US$128,394) from
more than 1,000 donors. Funds raised have helped more than 2,000
poor students. In July 2006, a group of Internet users, or
netizens, banded together to form Disaster Relief E-Alliance.
Through their efforts, they collected over 13 tons of provisions
including clothes, food and medicine for Typhoon Bilis victims.
Experts agree that the increasing prevalence of civil charitable
organizations indicates a growing consciousness about charity among
ordinary people.
According to one donor, civil organizations are more
approachable because of their proximity to the common man. More
important, they are seemingly more transparent in terms of
fundraising activities and how donations are distributed.
Further, although traditional charitable organizations have good
reputations and years of experience in the field, they lack the
finances and continual influx of talent to adequately meet the
needs of philanthropy in modern times.
Analysts observe that to promote charity in China, enhancing the
public consciousness of the concept is key. Grassroots charitable
organizations add new life to the cause, but support from the
relevant government departments is also crucial. The authorities
should guide their development by requiring that accounts are in
order and made public on a regular basis, checking credibility, and
ensuring the legality of collecting donations online.
(China.org.cn by Li Shen, January 17, 2007)