In trust we give

HAVE you ever been approached by individuals representing an NGO or non-profit organisation for donations towards a social cause but resisted, having reservations about the authenticity of it all? These doubts and more will soon be a thing of the past.

Addressing the call for a better platform to aid non-governmental organisations (NGO) and to provide transparency for benefactors and donors, NGOHub recently launched a new “tab” on its website, featuring a crowdfunding platform.

Together with the support of SOLS 24/7 Malaysia and founding partner, 7-Eleven Malaysia, the tab opens up to a list of “verified NGOs”. The crowdfunding platform presents itself as a consolidated umbrella and functions as a sort of “gatekeeper”. It is fundamentally designed to assist struggling NGOs, as well as vet these organisations and their campaigns for authenticity, while providing donors with reports on how funds are being used.

As projects are completed, the registered and verified NGOs are required to practise accountability through project reporting processes. All listed NGOs have to submit a report on the implementation of their projects to keep donors abreast of and informed on how and where donations are channelled to and used.

“We really wanted to launch the crowdfunding platform because that’s what NGOs need – money, support and awareness, apart from the fact that the public may know about you (the NGO), but they might not know how best to support you,” said SOLS 24/7 CEO Raj Ridvan Singh.

Speaking at the launch of the platform during the Malaysian Social Inclusion & Vibrant Entrepreneurship (MasSIVE) Impact Day in Cyberjaya on Feb 8, 7-Eleven Malaysia executive director Tan U-Ming commented that the new crowdfunding platform will help NGOs raise funds effectively to assist in its sustainability.

“Most NGOs struggle to achieve their goals because they lack the proper support – finances, resources, recognition, especially those heavily dependent on donations,” Tan commented. And most times, funds are hard to get as donors are wary about how their contributions are used.

“The reason 7-Eleven continues to support NGOHub is because it is a platform that champions effectiveness, transparency and sustainability, and it connects NGOs with information and resources to carry out the work that they do,” informs Tan.

For more information on this crowdfunding platform and its list of NGOs, visit www.ngohub.asia

From left: NGOHub director Chun Wah Hoo, Raj Ridvan, Tan and SAYS.com head of content and editorial Judith Yeoh make their first donation using NGOHub’s new crowdfunding platform.