Voluntary donations from individuals ranging from Rs. five to many hundreds of thousands of rupees, support the Foundation's activities. The emphasis is on individual social commitment from the masses. Contributions are also made in kind, in the form of food, clothing, medicines, animal hides and skins. Medical supplies and technical support are also received from several non-governmental organisations.
The annual donations are fairly regular and reliable because they are broad based, not linked to narrow interest groups.
Most of the donations come from past beneficiaries of the Foundation's activities. Edhi Foundation raises funds from Pakistanis living abroad in thirteen different countries.
However, ninety percent of the donations come from within Pakistan . The value of the pure voluntary services is not quantified in the financial records, but it is a significant part of the organisation's strength. Support from larger organisations and business community is readily available, but tapped only occasionally and most judiciously in order to retain the deep private and personal commitment that has been critical to the success of this Foundation.
Donations from the government, religious organisations and relief agencies are not accepted. Abdul Sattar Edhi firmly believes that since the Foundation's work is for the" Awam " (Masses) ,the Awam should contribute towards its operations. Through this principle of self- reliance, he wishes to inspire the masses for welfare projects. Aid from government and foreign agencies, in Edhi's view, leads to undesirable interference and creates administrative bottlenecks in the organisation's work.
Cash donations are collected at the Edhi Centres and at Edhi Headquarters. Donations are also received by mail. Quite often Mr. Edhi launches fund raising campaigns and makes collections standing on pavements and busy road junctions. For his frequent appearance in this role, Edhi has become a familiar figure to the general public as a known champion of the noble cause. He has, on several occasions, gone to the streets, cap in hand to collect funds for treatment abroad of seriously ill patients.
Donations in kind are received at various centres of Edhi network including Edhi Centres, Homes, Edhi hospitals, maternity homes and the Headquarters.
All donations and record of accounts are audited properly through a firm of Chartered Accountants. The statements of accounts are presented to the Federal Government for grant of tax relief by Central Board of Revenue. Another system of internal check and audit of accounts on weekly basis is in operation within the system. |
