For the first time since its inception, four grassroots charitable organizations have been nominated for Chinese Charity Awards, the highest governmental honor that recognizes philanthropy in China.

In recent years, civil charitable organizations have become an indispensable force in philanthropic endeavors in China, according to Wang Zhenyao, director of the disaster relief department of the Ministry of Civil Affairs. He added that 65 percent of donations raised last year were from non-governmental sources.

One of the four nominees, Shunqiziran, initiated by an anonymous philanthropist in Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province, donated 1.17 million yuan (US$150,221) to the Zhejiang Provincial Charity Federation over a period of seven years.

Also nominated is The Infinite Love, an Internet-based organization launched by Lu Hongying, an employee at a traditional Chinese medicine hospital in Wuji County, Hebei Province. Lu was so moved by a news report in 2000 on poor students that he established the website on October 20 that year as a means of raising funds for them. In his spare time, he met with poor students and published their stories on the website. He took it upon himself to forward any donations received to these students, on occasion even delivering donated goods directly to them. To ensure that everything he does is above board, he also publishes information on how donations are distributed.

Like Lu, many other grassroots charities rely heavily on the Internet as a means of communication because it is quick, convenient and interactive.

Established in 2005, www.gesanghua.org is a students assistance website that has raised more than 1 million yuan (US$128,394) from more than 1,000 donors. Funds raised have helped more than 2,000 poor students. In July 2006, a group of Internet users, or netizens, banded together to form Disaster Relief E-Alliance. Through their efforts, they collected over 13 tons of provisions including clothes, food and medicine for Typhoon Bilis victims.

Experts agree that the increasing prevalence of civil charitable organizations indicates a growing consciousness about charity among ordinary people.

According to one donor, civil organizations are more approachable because of their proximity to the common man. More important, they are seemingly more transparent in terms of fundraising activities and how donations are distributed.

Further, although traditional charitable organizations have good reputations and years of experience in the field, they lack the finances and continual influx of talent to adequately meet the needs of philanthropy in modern times.

Analysts observe that to promote charity in China, enhancing the public consciousness of the concept is key. Grassroots charitable organizations add new life to the cause, but support from the relevant government departments is also crucial. The authorities should guide their development by requiring that accounts are in order and made public on a regular basis, checking credibility, and ensuring the legality of collecting donations online.

(China.org.cn by Li Shen, January 17, 2007)