Donations for NGOs can be made through payment terminals

The people can now make donations for nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) through payment terminals as well. The new fund-raising method and the problems related to this and other mechanisms were discussed in the last meeting of the Civil Society Press Club, Info-Prim Neo reports. The public organization “Salvati viata” (“Save Life”) collects funds through terminal systems. The organization’s representative Aliona Bercaci said they gather and distribute donations for medical care for seriously ill children and for helping socially deprived families. According to Aliona Bercaci, the terminal system is a rather convenient money collection method, first of all for the persons who want to make donations. At a terminal, they select the division “Other services”, then “Charity” and then the NGO to which they want to donate money. The association has signed contracts with two companies that own about 500 payment terminals. Monthly they collect about 3,000 lei. The association “Motivatie” (“Motivation”) uses this fund-raising method, but, according to executive director Igor Meriacre, is not very known. Another problem is the fact that the companies that provide these services asks for a tax of 10-15% of the collected sum and a significant part of the raised money does not get to the beneficiaries. The organization tried to negotiate lower taxes with these companies, but without results. Money can be also gathered through donation boxes placed inside shopping centers. According to the NGO representatives, this method enables to collect certain sums of money from visitors/clients of the shop and even from employees. The box is put after signing a contract with the store’s administration. The boxes are opened and money counted in the presence of the administrators. The Community Center for Children and Youth of the Municipal Child Rights Protection Division collects funds by holding sales of things made by children of the Center for charity purposes. The Center’s representative Ana Sajin said the organization annually takes part in the exhibition staged in the Government Building and in other similar activities where insignificant amounts are raised, but the money is enough for purchasing other materials for making objects. The exhibits are made by children with physical and mental disabilities. The NGOs also gather money through post office or bank transfer. However, 90% of the funds represent projects and grants. The meeting of the Civil Society Press Club was held within the Moldova Civil Society Strengthening Program.