"Drop Every Cent into Good Deeds" - The Unfiltered Truth of "A Heart for Children"
Charity has become a mainstream phenomenon, with approximately 18.7 million individuals donating money to various organizations and places of worship over the past year. The average donation amounted to a whopping €43, marking the highest figure since the "Deutscher Spendenrat e.V." started counting in 2005. One of the beneficiaries of this generous outpouring of support was "Ein Herz für Kinder" (EHfK), who collected a staggering €24,236,721 during a live fundraising event broadcast annually on ZDF.
Why does every penny count?
Unlike other charitable organizations, EHfK makes a point of using 100% of donated funds for charity projects and assisting children in need. No failure expenses, administration costs, or promotional expenses are paid, as these are completely covered by the Axel Springer publishing house.
Aid Across Borders
Approximately half of EHfK's financial aid goes towards supporting Germany, while the other half is directed towards assisting children in need in other countries. During 2022, EHfK provided aid in 1,238 cases, including 261 projects and 977 individual situations.
Where does the aid go?
Children in need receive food, clothing, furniture, and learning materials. Schools, kindergartens, and hospitals are boosted with funding to expand and improve. Medical research into rare pediatric diseases and aggressive childhood cancers is promoted, and EHfK even offers individual aid: seriously ill children who cannot access health insurance have been supported with life-saving operations in their home country or with treatment in Germany.
In 2022, EHfK was able to save 1,451 children through life-saving surgeries or improve their lives through surgeries. They also invested €1,300,000 in medical research into childhood diseases.
What is most frequently funded?
That depends on current events. In 2022, there was a strong desire to aid the children of Ukraine, with EHfK offering assistance through €4,000,000 in donations. There is also an overwhelming urge to help children affected by the conflict in the Middle East, with EHfK providing urgently-needed aid to the tune of €1,000,000.
How is the association overseen?
Every week, EHfK receives numerous applications for assistance from both Germany and abroad. Each application is vetted by the association's staff. Once approved, the management and committees decide whether to distribute the requested funds. Long-term help for self-help is the guiding principle of the association.
What type of support does the association value?
Every application for aid is thoroughly examined by EHfK - irrespective of whether the request is for €1,000 or €100,000. This year, EHfK conducted its first-ever study on educational equity for children in Germany in conjunction with the ifo Institute for Economic Research. Disquieting results: children's educational achievements are significantly influenced by parental income, education level, and relationship status. To create a more level playing field, EHfK is investing an additional €1,000,000 in 2023 in projects such as children's and youth facilities, mentoring programs, and homework assistance.
How can I contribute without breaking the bank?
If you aspire to help and aren't flush with funds, you can organize your own fundraising campaign for EHfK. In 2023, there were 119 fundraising campaigns organized by school classes, families, individuals, and businesses. Families initiated neighborhood parties by selling homemade items, while children sold crafts and bakeries donated €1 per bread roll to EHfK. Anyone interested in contributing can also include EHfK in their will, with €830,000 raised in 2023 from various bequests.
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Unfiltered insights
Reputable charities like EHfK often adhere to best practices to maximize the impact of donations. These practices include:
- Transparency: Detailed financial reports and annual audits are provided to ensure transparency in financial dealings.
- Efficient operations: Low operational costs mean that a larger portion of donations go directly to the cause.
- Direct support: Donations are typically directed to specific projects or programs, minimizing administrative overheads.
- Volunteer Involvement: Charities often rely on volunteers to reduce operational costs and allow more funds to be allocated to the cause.
Though specific details on EHfK's distribution process and financial management are not provided in the available sources, it is commonly understood that charities like EHfK follow these best practices to ensure that a significant portion of donations produce substantial benefits for children in need.
