2018 was a challenging year for Compassiva in terms of finances. We gained a few important grants, such as the grant from the Australian government which ensured the continuation of the Dojo Project, but we also lost some key supporters. Reflecting on the difficulty to raise funds, we thought a crowdfunding campaign could give us the support necessary for some basic activities so we could start 2019 more animated and more prepared.
We created the campaign so it would be inclusive, covering a good amount of our projects and those we serve. We wanted any resources collected to provide essential support for the maintenance of projects like Dojo, Kids in Action and the LAR programme, Compassiva’s main work, so together we could serve more than 200 people a week.
Even though we didn’t meet 100% of our target, we still consider the Compassion that Transforms campaign a success! It was two months of hard work; days where we dreamed of a more prosperous future and started to build what we want for Compassiva and for the city of São Paulo in 2019 and the coming years.
We secured more partnerships with businesses engaging in social responsibility, such as the partnership with Estella Burger. Many important donations were made, such as the 19 educational books donated by the Company of Languages school. We welcomed more regular donors, who committed themselves to donating monthly for the next 12 months, as well as receiving a donation specifically for the transport of the LAR programme students.
We invested our time and efforts into this campaign because we believe that our projects can have a wider reach and that we can get that little bit closer to the dreams we have as an organisation. We know that we can do more for the reality of the children, teenagers, women and refugees served by Compassiva.
We learnt a lot through our first experience of crowdfunding, and we hope to repeat the initiative in the coming years.
We were also very happy with the impact of the event that concluded the campaign last Saturday, the 2nd February. We ran a hamburger event at Compassiva’s headquarters, selling more than 300 burgers (donated by Estella Burger), 250 brigadeiro truffles (donated by Brigadin Brigadeiros), 150 ice lollies, drinks and brownies. In addition to raising a decent amount of money, the event was a real party with lots of volunteers, supporters, friends and family.
We want to thank everyone who contributed to this campaign and believed in our work. We would like to say a special thank you to the volunteers for their engagement and commitment, for the time they dedicate to the cause we embrace, and for believing in a more compassionate and inclusive São Paulo, which welcomes refugees and gives opportunities to those who most need them.
2019 brings us face to face with a number of challenges! But we’re excited to continue working and making a difference in the lives of people and our city!
