Hard times call for holding tightly to one’s purses. As staying afloat during financial turbulence gains priority, the city’s NGOs, which depend on individual donors, are seeing a drought in service and money.“Yes, of course, there has been a drastic slump in donations made to our institution,” says George Fernandes, director, New Hope Children’s Home, an NGO that is home to 60 orphaned children.
“Before recession, we were getting up to 80-85 per cent donation; this has nose dived to 55-60 per cent, even lesser.” While used clothes are still being donated, used books aren’t easy to come by. So’s the case with voluntary help.
“In fact, three of our prime donors lost their jobs and this impacted us as well,” he informs. Fear of losing their jobs is also keeping volunteers glued to their workplaces. Earlier, it was common to see them spend weekends helping children with studies, participate in voluntary work, but now that has stopped. “Recession won’t impact the spirit of giving, but the chunk may decrease,” says Sonia Kohli, who heads marketing at a software company. She feels NGOs need to know how to approach contributors. “If I’m asked to donate a day’s salary from my annual earnings, although a big amount, it isn’t too big to pinch me,” she says.
A decline in blood donors is also indirectly linked to the slowdown. “We have noticed that this is primarily because even corporates, who contributed regularly by holding blood donation camps, have cut their staff,” says Dr Ankit Mathur, Rotary TTK Blood Bank.
It isn’t all bleak. As Paul Muddha, managing trustee, Snehadeep Trust for theDisabled, says, “Individuals do come and sponsor lunch on special days.” However, funding has become difficult. During this time of the year,children from the trust would go abroad and give performances to raise funds. “We have no sponsors this year, and hence, we aren’t going.”
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