Bulgarians Donate Record 40 M for Charities in 2008

Bulgarian people donate money mostly for helping social institutions, for medical treatment of individuals in need, for medical equipment and for education. Photo by Sofia Photo Agency.

Bulgarians slated a record BGN 40 M for charities during 2008.

The data was revealed through an analysis conducted by the Bulgarian Charity Forum.

Bulgarian people donate money mostly for helping social institutions, for medical treatment of individuals in need, for medical equipment and for education. There is a significant increase in the amount of donations for development of Bulgarian culture.

In 2008, the largest charitable amounts - 65%, have been donated by private businesses, followed by private foundations. Individuals have donated 20% of all charitable amounts.

When asked if reality shows such as VIP Brother were a good charitable source, the Forum's Director, Krasimira Velichkova, said:

"In any initiative, when main ethical rules are followed - transparency of the campaign, the collected funds and their use, and when donors share the values of the campaign, then we can say it is a good one."

In 2008, Bulgarians have donated BGN 6 M more compared with 2007, but the relative increase compared with the 2006-2007 period is lower. According to Velichkova, abuse of donations such as in the case of the comatose girl, Manuela Gorsova, and her father Krasimir have negative effect on donation campaigns.

The Bulgarian Charitable Fund forecast a decline in donations in 2009 due to the global financial crisis and more donations in the form of goods and services instead of cash.

 

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