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Downturn causes big drop in donations to charity

How to help * Send donations to the "Pearl S. Buck Foundation Taipei Taiwan." The organization's postal account number is 19139901. The group's telephone number is 02-2369-8880. Sponsorship of a child living in Taiwan is NT$1,000 per month. The amount is NT$800 per month for children living in other countries. * World Vision has several programs and can be reached at 02-2585-6300. The postal account number for the National and International Child Care program is 01022760. The number for the National Urban Aboriginal Service and International Community Development program is 01022760.

Taiwan's souring economy has led to a sizeable drop in donations to the nation's charitable groups.

With the stock market down and economic growth sluggish, many donors who once contributed to charities on a regular basis now feel they can no longer give.

That's hurting groups such as the Pearl S. Buck Foundation, which provides assistance to needy families and children in Taiwan and other countries.

"Our donations are very bad right now," said Ray Chuang (莊禮傳), executive director of the foundation. "It's about half the level of last year."

What's more, the drop in donations comes at a time when families need assistance the most.

According to Chuang, his group's case load has climbed 20 percent over the past year -- precisely because of the poor economy.

Another factor contributing to the foundation's higher load is other charitable groups. Also struggling to provide aid in the midst of the current downturn, these groups have transferred to Pearl S. Buck cases they are unable to handle.

Not all charitable groups are suffering. Tim Shao (邵慶明), president of World Vision Taiwan, said donations to his organization have dropped off by just 5 percent to 10 percent this year.

Most of World Vision's contributions come from middle and low-income individual donors, he said. These are the people most likely to empathize with others in need -- and so they keep on giving, despite the economic downturn.

"When you live frugally, you appreciate the needs of others. You understand how to live simply," Shao said. "Our motto is that simplicity helps to save lives."

Shao said World Vision is setting up a program soon called "Love Thy Neighbor" to provide short-term relief to those who have lost a job and need help paying the rent or school tuition or buying food.

"Something to give them a little lift, a little push," he said.

World Vision is also providing counseling services to help families through their troubled times.

Shao said altogether, the group has about 75,000 sponsors of children and roughly 50,000 financial supporters.

To cut down on costs this year, World Vision took a hard look at its administrative expenses, saving 15 percent to 20 percent by cutting electricity costs, reducing travel and increasing the use of non-paid volunteers.
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