Statistics: Estonian people are keen donors

Two years ago, LHV opened up the possibility for its clients to activate the micro-donation function on their bank cards, so that they can make small, unnoticeable donations with every card payment. During this time, more than EUR 226,000 have been raised for various organisations.

Although people in Estonia are active donors, charity is mostly associated with one-off donations during seasonal campaigns and holidays. Micro-donations are a unique way of donating in Estonia, through which people can support an organisation of their liking with small amounts of money as part of their everyday payments.

This year, LHV’s clients have donated nearly EUR 87,000 to charity, with the most popular donation amounts being 1 and 5 cents per card payment. The three organisations that have collected the most donations this year have received roughly the same amount of money: the cancer treatment fund ‘The Gift of Life’ has received donations in the amount of EUR 13,590, the Estonian Association of Parents of Children with Cancer EUR 13,045, and the Tartu University Hospital Children’s Foundation EUR 12,615. Micro-donations can be made to 13 organisations from different sectors.

According to Piia Sinisalu, the Cooperation Manager of the Tartu University Hospital Children’s Foundation, the focus of the foundation is on funding the treatment of rare diseases in children. ‘Have you ever wondered how good it feels to breathe without a breathless cough, or to be able to move independently and live a pain-free life? Sadly, it is these feelings and activities, so natural to a healthy person, that are a dream come true for many children, but only with the support of kind donors. The Tartu University Hospital Children’s Foundation is committed to funding treatment for rare diseases, and donations from LHV’s clients are a great help in providing treatment for sick children. Every child counts,’ Sinisalu said.

Among the choices is the website Peaasi.ee, which functions to empower people to value mental health, to take care of it, and to support loved ones in mental health difficulties. According to Anna-Kaisa Oidermaa, the CEO of Head Matters NGO and a clinical psychologist, the organisation focuses, for example, on youth counselling for 12 to 26-year-olds. ‘This year we also started running regular mental health cafés with the aim of normalising the sharing of mental health concerns. In addition, we offer a range of support to employers to improve the mental health and well-being of their employees. For example, we have created a free tool, the Mental Health Action Plan, and offer mental health first aid training,’ Oidermaa said. Donations represent 5–10% of the Peaasi.ee budget.

The donor can choose a charity organisation from the following list:

Kiusamisvaba Kool [Bullying Free School] with the mission to make Estonian schools bullying-free.

SOS Lasteküla [SOS Children’s Village] with an aim to provide children deprived of parental care with a new home and prepare them for independent life.

TÜ Kliinikumi Lastefond [Tartu University Hospital Children’s Foundation] with the mission to provide the most modern treatment for children who are sick and need special care.

Eesti Vähihaigete Laste Vanemate Liit [Estonian Association of Parents of Children with Cancer] with the mission to provide the necessary support to all children diagnosed with cancer and their families in Estonia in the best possible way and within the limits of available options.

Varjupaikade MTÜ [Animal Shelters NGO] operates in six animal shelters across Estonia, with an aim to help stray pets find their way back home and find new homes for abandoned animals.

Loomade Hoiupaik [Animal Shelter] is the largest private shelter in the Nordic countries.

Vähiravifond Kingitud Elu [Hille Tänavsuu Cancer Treatment Foundation ‘The Gift of Life’] helps cancer patients buy essential life-saving medical products and gives them new hope, a chance to live longer, or even a cure.

Eesti Roheline Liikumine [Estonian Green Movement] is an organisation engaged in environmental protection, aiming at improving the situation of the Estonian environment and guiding society to a sustainable way of thinking.

MTÜ Peaasjad [Head Matters NGO] is engaged in the promotion of mental health, prevention of problems, early intervention, and reduction of stigmatisation in Estonian society.

Eesti Rahvuskultuuri Fond [Estonian National Culture Foundation] supports Estonian culture, education, science, medicine, and sports to ensure that Estonian national culture is preserved and developed.

Eesti Puuetega Inimeste Fond [Estonian Fund of Disabled People] supports the brilliant ideas of people with disabilities and helps alleviate their urgent needs.

Naiste Tugi- ja Teabekeskus [Women’s Support and Information Centre] provides comprehensive support to victims of domestic violence, helping them break the cycle of violence.

The ‘Lively Streets’ initiative is designed to balance the planning of street space so that the interests of all city residents are represented.

Micro-donations can be activated by every LHV private debit cardholder, who can then choose how much to donate and to which charity organisation. It is possible to choose between five different amounts (1 cent, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents) and 13 charities, and donations are made automatically each time the card is used to pay. For example, a client who makes 15 card payments per month and has chosen a donation amount of 10 cents, will collect EUR 18 as a donation per year.

The option will be available to all of LHV’s private debit card users, who will be able to conveniently switch the donation function on or off at any time via the LHV mobile app or the Internet Bank. Donations are made automatically each time the card is used for payments and the amounts are transferred to the selected charity organisation. Collected donations are paid out to charities once a year.