How to Choose the Right Donations for Children

Children are a suitable target audience when considering making a donation. Children generally have various needs to support their daily lives, education, and mental health. By donating to children, we can help shape a better next generation for the future. There are various types of donations for children, both given directly and online. The following will explain the types of donations and how to choose them.

Types of Donations That Can Be Given to Children

In general, child donations can be categorised based on their form or specific sector and their donation mechanism. Here is an explanation for each type of donation:

Donations Based on Sector and Form

1. Educational Donations

Donations in the field of education are one of the most frequently given forms of donation. Typically, donations are provided in the form of scholarships, procurement of school facilities and infrastructure, and even the construction of schools or other facilities that support education. Educational donations can help children from underprivileged families access education. This will reduce the dropout rate and help improve human resources in Indonesia.

2. Health and Nutrition Donations

Donations for children can also be channelled towards health needs and nutritional fulfilment, which can include the distribution and education of nutritious food, medical treatment for children suffering from illnesses, immunisation and vaccination, and the provision of child sanitation programmes. Donations in the field of health and nutrition can help reduce the child mortality rate and encourage optimal child growth and development.

3. Child Protection Donations

Matters related to child protection can also be a specific target for donation. Donations for child protection are usually channelled to provide decent lives and housing for street children or psychological assistance for child victims of violence and trafficking. This type of donation generally aims for neglected children and those with past trauma to return to school and live normal lives as before.

4. Talent and Creativity Donations

This type of donation generally aims to help children who have talent and creativity to support their abilities and potential. Donations for talent and creativity can be channelled in the form of training in arts, sports, or skills, as well as equipment support. This can provide benefits such as fostering children's self-confidence and potential and keeping children away from negative environments.

5. Goods Donations

As the name suggests, this type of donation generally provides various necessities such as clothing, educational props, school supplies, shoes, and other equipment needed by the donation targets with the aim of providing support to children living in limited circumstances and giving them comfort.

Donations Based on Mechanism

1. Sponsorship-Based Donation

This donation mechanism can be considered like adopting a child and providing support for them from a distance. The form can be routine support, both material and psychological, to one specific child. This type of donation can generally establish a long-term relationship between the donor and the child and provide a more significant impact.

2. Crowdfunding Mechanism Donation

This donation mechanism is carried out by collecting funds from many people to reach a certain target amount. Crowdfunding usually comes in the form of a campaign for the construction or completion of a specific project (e.g., building educational facilities) that requires a large budget. To get funds from donors, fundraisers generally spread the donation appeal through advertisements or social media, explaining the purpose and funding target, along with the fundraising deadline.

3. One-Time Donation

This donation mechanism is also called a one-time donation. Donations with this mechanism are only made once, and the giver generally does not commit to donating long-term. This type of donation is usually given for emergency needs, such as assisting disaster victims or providing medical aid.

4. Recurring Donation

Recurring donation is a donation mechanism where the giving is done routinely over a period of weekly, monthly, or yearly. This mechanism allows for continuous support for a trusted target or project.

5. Campaign-Based Donation

Campaign-based donation is a donation mechanism that focuses on a specific purpose and period, such as fundraising for disaster victims or for research purposes. Generally, this campaign method is broadcast on social media with the aim of raising awareness related to the project and mobilising the audience to participate in donating.

How to Choose Types of Donations for Children

Donations can be channelled to different distributors and have different impacts. Here are some ways to choose a donation for children:

1. Align with Personal Goals

The first way to choose the type of donation is to align it with the donor's values and goals. Are you or your community focused on education, nutrition, or mental health? Also, consider whether you want to give a donation that has an immediate impact or a donation for a long-term impact on the recipient. By determining these two things, it will be easier to choose the institution or distributor that will be the destination of the donation.

2. Donate with Distributors Who Have a Good Track Record

When choosing a donation and its distributor, it is important to pay attention to the track record first. The chosen donation distributor (individual or institution) should preferably be one that has received a lot of positive feedback and is recommended by those who have donated. If it is an institution, ensure that the institution has a legal certificate as a donation distribution body. In addition, also check the news related to the donation distributor. Make sure not to choose a distributor that has been reported to misuse the donation results.

3. Pay Attention to Fund Transparency

Whatever type of donation is chosen, always pay attention to the transparency of the funds used. If necessary, ask for regular reports from the distributor. Fund transparency relates to the allocation of money and goods that have been donated. In addition to seeing the donation transparency, you can also cross-check by contacting the target or the person in charge who is tasked with receiving the donation.

4. Look at the Impact of the Donation Programme

Before choosing the types of donations, it is a good idea to research the impact of the donation programme you intend to support. Generally, a trusted distributor will show photos and videos related to the children's progress before and after receiving the donation. In addition, also check the progress reports of programmes that have been created.

5. Consider the Donation Method

The various types of donations for children based on their mechanisms have been explained above. This donation mechanism needs to be considered. Do you want to donate directly or online? Do you want to donate routinely and periodically or just once? This consideration can also determine the donation distributor that can be chosen.

Wahana Visi: A Platform for Channelling Various Donations for Children

The various types of donations for children can be categorised based on their form and mechanism. Wahana Visi, a humanitarian organisation, has channelled many donations to support children in remote areas, supporting their lives and education. Donations through Wahana Visi can be made once or routinely with several nominal options. You can visit wahanavisi.org to see the various donation developments that Wahana Visi has channelled and to participate in donating to children in need.