In countries where Diaspora giving has reached significant levels, givers are in search of more reliable information that can serve to link them up to their preferred causes more efficiently and effectively. This need was identified during the APPC conference on diaspora philanthropy [0] held in Hanoi last May, 2008.

As a follow up to the conference, the APPC Board has approved four grants to support various organizations in Bangladesh, China, Pakistan and the Philippines. The seed money will be used for database-focused projects that will map out the dynamic relationships being created from the giving to the receiving end of diaspora philanthropy.

These research activities can potentially deliver very useful information. For the first time, Bangladeshi givers based in the U.S. and U.K. will be profiled and their giving documented. In China, an information gap in the existing charity giving system will be filled-in to include information about diaspora giving. In Pakistan, the database system development will include a linkage with the Pakistan Centre for Philanthropy database of certified NGOs to encourage more giving. In the Philippines, hometown associations will be directly connected with givers wanting to support community development projects with the participation of local government bodies and business.

These follow up projects and the regional conference were made possible by a grant from the Ford Foundation.

“Bangladesh Diaspora Organizations Database and Case Studies”
Proponents: Bangladesh Freedom Foundation [1]
Project: Database development and cases about US and UK diaspora groups and activities

“Improving China’s Information Collection System on Diaspora Giving”
Proponents: NPO Development Center Shanghai [2], China Charity Donation Information Center [3]
Project: Improving the existing central charity information data collection system; to include Diaspora donations

“Sustaining Diaspora Philanthropy Efforts for the Development of Communities of Origin in Asia”
Proponent: Pakistan Centre for Philanthropy [4]
Project: Building an online resource of diaspora networks worldwide and a database of the projects implemented by NPOs in Pakistan

“PINOYLINK: Linking with Overseas Filipinos for Sustainable Social Development and Change”
Proponent: Philippine Consortium on Migration and Development [5]
Project: Linking Hometown Associations with Overseas Filipinos, in projects supported by the national and local governments, academe and the business sector.

Back to APPC Post 45 [5]