Trends in the non-governmental sector for 2023

Before we head into vacation mode, it's worth taking a look at the trends for 2023, so we're well prepared for the busy autumn season, when we become more energetic and ready for all kinds of initiatives, including participation in various types of campaigns. Like every sector, the nonprofit sector is also subject to new trends and refinements over time.

Keeping an eye on what's happening in the world after recent turbulent events, we can see that the sector is changing in response to pressing problems as they arise. Only time will tell how successfully a given approach will actually work within the sector.

1) New developments and trends in campaign communication and fundraising

One of the most notable innovations is so-called online fundraising:

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are increasingly turning to internet platforms to raise funds, as these offer donors quick and accessible ways to give, often with just two clicks. Crowdfunding initiatives and social media donation portals are examples of this. Such campaigns can be seen on the social media platforms of PETA, as well as in WFP's global hunger relief programs.

When it comes to patronage from private individuals, foundations, organizations, or corporate partnerships, practices haven't changed to the same extent (impact investing). More and more small and large companies are turning to various organizations for long-term support. On one hand, corporations are building their social footprint; on the other, they're recognizing the importance of relationships between the private and nonprofit sectors. An interesting example is Warby Parker, a US-based eyewear company that created the "Buy a Pair, Give a Pair" program, in which the company donates a pair of glasses to someone in need for every pair sold. The company partners with nonprofit organizations like VisionSpring to distribute glasses to people in developing countries who lack access to vision care.

Closer to home, we can offer one of many examples of this kind of "partnership." Компоти is a small company selling clothing and items with fun, playful prints. With every purchase, they provide a free lunch to an elderly person in Northwestern Bulgaria through the "Our Parents Fund" of BCause Foundation.

In practice, NGOs can apply for grants from multilateral organizations and/or private funds (accelerators), a practice that is becoming increasingly widespread. After meeting the necessary requirements and reporting obligations, NGOs demonstrate a growing motivation to serve as an important body in the functioning of a democratic society.

What's happening on Bulgarian soil? Here, it's worth noting the significant role of the European Union in Bulgaria's development as a fully-fledged member state with developed democratic values. As such, Bulgaria has access to a range of NGO funding programs, including grants and contracts from the European Commission and other EU institutions.

A trend that has become noticeable among Bulgarian non-governmental organizations in recent years is their strong presence on social media. Part of the reason for this may be the COVID waves, which didn't spare Bulgaria. COVID helped popularize so-called hybrid events, which allow for remote (online) participation alongside a live, in-person audience.

2) Trends in fundraising

Digital fundraising and corporate fundraising are two different fundraising methods, but they are not mutually exclusive. In fact, they can complement each other and be used together to maximize results.

Digital fundraising refers to the use of digital channels such as social media, email, and crowdfunding platforms to collect donations from individuals or groups. The advantages of digital fundraising include convenience, accessibility, and the ability to reach a wide audience. Digital fundraising can also be personalized and targeted, allowing organizations to tailor their message to specific audiences. Popular digital platforms include: PayPal Giving Fund, a digital platform that covers all transaction fees so that 100% of the donation goes to charity. Facebook Fundraisers is a platform that allows people to create fundraising campaigns for nonprofit organizations; Facebook doesn't charge fees on donations made through the platform, but donors have the option to add a voluntary contribution to cover Facebook's processing costs. GoFundMe is another popular digital fundraising platform that allows individuals and organizations to create fundraising campaigns. For example, the Black Lives Matter movement began as a social media hashtag in 2013 and has since grown into a global movement advocating for racial justice and police reform. The killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis in May 2020 sparked the largest racial justice protests in the United States since the Civil Rights Movement. The movement spread beyond the borders of Black Lives Matter in the US and inspired global protests against racism, raising millions of dollars through digital fundraising campaigns on platforms like GoFundMe and ActBlue.

Corporate fundraising, on the other hand, involves building relationships with corporations to secure financial support, donations, or assistance in other forms. As mentioned above, this type of fundraising often involves developing mutually beneficial partnerships with organizations that support a similar initiative or cause. One way digital and corporate fundraising can work together is through corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. Many corporations have CSR programs that support social or environmental causes. By partnering with a corporation on a CSR initiative, non-governmental organizations can not only secure financial support but also gain access to the corporation's networks, expertise, and other resources. Another way is through employee giving campaigns. Many corporations encourage their employees to donate to charitable causes, and some even offer matching gift programs, often around the Christmas holidays. A UN Global Compact report found that 93% of CEOs believe sustainable development will be an important step for their companies' future success. A Deloitte survey, however, found that 86% of millennials (ages 27-42) and only 74% of Gen Z employees (ages 11-26) take a company's social engagement into account when deciding where to work.

3) Trends in volunteering

When we say "volunteering in Bulgaria," the first association is Rotary Clubs in the major regional cities and the capital, Sofia. Rotary Clubs are international service organizations that bring together professionals and community leaders to provide humanitarian services. The first Rotary Club was founded in Chicago in 1905, and the organization has since grown to include more than 35,000 clubs in over 200 countries. Bulgaria is home to dozens of Rotary Clubs, involved in a wide range of community projects, from supporting initiatives in education and healthcare to promoting environmental sustainability and economic development. Some examples of Rotary Club projects in Bulgaria include providing medical equipment to hospitals, building schools and community centers, supporting local charitable organizations, and organizing leadership and youth development programs.

Some of the Rotary Clubs include:

Interact: Rotary for young people aged 12–18. Interact clubs organize local and international service projects, develop leadership skills, and promote international understanding.

Rotaract: Rotary for young adults aged 18–30. Rotaract clubs organize service projects, social events, and leadership development opportunities.

Interact and Rotaract clubs provide young people with valuable opportunities to develop leadership skills, build cross-cultural understanding, and make a positive impact in their local communities. All of this gives them a solid foundation for careers in humanitarian work.

Volunteering also includes any form of unpaid work in this spirit – the local shop or bakery that donates food or funds to a nearby orphanage; charity bazaars in support of someone battling cancer; monthly visits to animal shelters; participation in socially engaged clubs – visiting elderly care homes, or helping in kindergartens with children from marginalized communities. Impact Drive Foundation serves as an example in building a volunteering "culture." I was a volunteer there myself, getting a feel for the spirit, dynamics, and needs of the sector, before becoming part of the team. Volunteering tied to supporting the workforce teaches discipline and builds self-confidence.

4) The most talked-about (global) causes of the past year

The most talked-about countries globally over the past year have been Ukraine, Iran, Turkey, and Syria. The conflict between Ukraine and Russia began in 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine and pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine declared independence. Everything escalated when Russian forces attacked Ukraine and announced a "special military operation." This conflict has affected rights beyond the right to life, including the right to freedom of expression, the right to access information, and the right to internet access (in areas without electricity or subject to hacking interference from the Russian offensive).

The protests in Iran following the killing of the young Kurdish woman Jina Mahsa Amini in September 2022 sparked a wave of protests against the theocratic regime of Ayatollah Khomeini. Close to 90 arrests of journalists have been recorded by the NGO "Committee to Protect Journalists," according to Deutsche Welle. More and more women are daring not to wear the headscarf (mandatory for all), to wear colorful clothing, to dance in public, and to fight for equal rights.

In early February this year, Turkey and Syria experienced some of the strongest earthquakes in their history, with a magnitude of 7.8. The whole world came together to help the two countries, and Bulgaria was the second country after Azerbaijan to offer military and medical assistance. The American University in Bulgaria was a good example of fundraising in support of both countries, providing over 7,000 BGN to the Bulgarian Red Cross.

5) The most talked-about events in Bulgaria

Bulgaria is paying increasing attention to the problems of stray dogs and animal abuse. One case that drew widespread attention was the shocking abuse of a stray dog in Sofia, later named Mecho. Mecho was rescued and had his rights protected by the organization Animal Rescue Sofia.

Another pressing issue is domestic violence, which has surged dramatically since COVID-19 and the forced periods of staying at home. The unstable political situation has prevented the government from putting forward timely and meaningful legislation on this front. Our partners at the Bulgarian Fund for Women strongly supported the #NotOneMore march, now held for the seventh consecutive year. The march is organized by SAFFO – Bulgaria in partnership with the informal collective "Feminist Mobilizations" and addresses not only violence against women, but also discrimination against women of Roma origin and the gender pay gap. Since the start of 2023, more than 12 women have been killed by their partners, meaning that ONE woman loses her life every week.

These two issues are just a small part of the various humanitarian and environmental crises Bulgaria is facing.

We follow developments in the sector with anticipation and insight, so we can bring you the trends for 2024 as well.