China Philanthropy

A 5 Minute Guide to China's Disaster Relief and Prevention

In 2008 China experienced two natural disasters: snowstorms that halted mass transportation across the nation, leaving millions stranded and the Sichuan Earthquake that left thousands dead and entire cities leveled. Since then much has been done in the country to improve the disaster response and prevention. As one person said, China is disaster prone with earthquakes, floods, tsunamis, typhoons and droughts a regular occurrence. Vice Premier Hui Liangyu admitted, “the disaster reduction situation is still arduous as various natural disasters are frequent in China.” In recent history, the government has shown consistent dedication to reform the nation’s disaster plan. Here, I take a look at new initiatives and, in particular, the effects of the Sichuan Earthquake on China’s disaster relief strategy.

Chinese NGO Fundraising Capability: Western China > Eastern China > Central China

An Interesting finding from a survey of Internet usage of Chinese NGOs

 

(Blue – Eastern China, Green – Central China, Brown – Western China)
Source: Social Venture Group

Recently, I have come across several foundations and individual donors who stated that they were only willing to give to NGOs in western China. Their reasons for this choice are quite similar: NGOs in western China are the most in need of funding support as they are located in underdeveloped areas. But is it true? A recent survey report (the report can be downloaded here) released by ngocn.org's blog gives some valuable information about the general funding status of NGOs in different regions of China.

Take a Number: China’s Medical System

According to Foreign Policy, over 200 million Chinese have no insurance. Clinics are few in number; consequently, hospitals are the only option for most citizens. There are many reasons for the lack of sufficient health care in China, including the privatization of medical care, rising fees, and the growing chasm between urban and rural. Over 27 years the central government cut healthcare funding by more than 15% which resulted in higher medical fees. Hospitals needed to remain profitable to stay open and corruption slipped in as they maintained profits by raising medicine prices and prescribing unnecessary treatments. Cancer and other pollution related diseases are on the rise yet many Chinese do not go to the hospital because they know treatments will cost more than they can afford to pay. The wealthier members of society demand better hospitals while the poorer simply want affordable health care.

Taking the “I” out of Philanthropy: Giving Circles make Philanthropy Communal

When it comes to making charitable donations, the recent trend in giving circles appears to be one of the most effective ways to generate strategic gifts. Whether there are four or forty, meeting around a dining room table or a conference table, giving circles encourage members to give consistently and diversely to local, national, and international needs. According to a report from the Forum of Regional Association of Grantmakers (the Forum), the past decade has seen a significant jump in the number of giving circles across the U.S. and the longer a person is involved in a circle, the more they are likely to give additional funding. Sean Stannard-Stockton of Tactical Philanthropy cites two reasons that giving circles are key to philanthropy:

Download: A Look at China's Philanthropic Landscape

This week Grace participated in a joint Give2Asia/Social Venture Group conference call in which she discussed the current state of philanthropy in China including the impact of the Sichuan earthquake, the role of social enterprises in China, and the current opportunities/needs in China's grassroots nonprofit sector. Listen to the presentation in full below.

Click here to listen or download the call

--Georgia

Live Call and Q&A: A Look at China's Philanthropic Landscape

Hello China Philanthropy readers, I'll be doing a live call this week hosted by Give2Asia about the current overview and trends in the Chinese philanthropy landscape.  If you're interested, please RSVP and join us!

Join Give2Asia and Social Venture Group 

on Wednesday August 12, 2009 at 8:30 a.m. Pacific time 

to learn about philanthropic 

opportunities and challenges in China with: