The Red Cross helps people when catastrophes and disasters hit and trains them to be prepared for such eventualities. The organisation encourages people to take care of their health and to look after each other. The Finnish Red Cross is one of the largest non-governmental organisations in our country, and its goal is to help those most in need both here in Finland and abroad. There are over 500 local branches all around Finland engaged in numerous activities. As head of fundraising at the Finnish Red Cross, Anna Laurinsilta and her team ensure that helping is as easy as possible. Monthly donors are of utmost importance, and that is why particular attention has been paid to making the donation process go smoothly. You can donate easily online or by text message and phone.

– We live in a 24/7 world, where everything that happens around the globe comes to us instantaneously. When a catastrophe strikes, people have the desire to act and do ‘something at least.’ The Red Cross has the responsibility not only to help as soon as possible but also to provide the opportunity for others to help by making donating easy.

In addition to donations, the Finnish Red Cross also raises funds through merchandise.

– First aid products are of course a natural product for us to sell, as the Red Cross often organises first aid courses.

Donating your time is also a valuable form of charity.

– If you are volunteering to visit the elderly and spend time with them, then the time that you are donating is extremely precious. When joining as a volunteer box collector you are also donating time and making it possible for others to donate money. Even giving a little time can be extremely valuable to those you are helping.

The significance of volunteer work has grown over the past year. Global events have caused Finland and many other countries to face an enormous influx of asylum seekers.

– When we are talking about asylum seekers and reception centres, it is easy to see the importance of the work of volunteers around Finland. On short notice volunteers have not only set up new centres but also organised meaningful activities for their inhabitants.

In fundraising work, you also have to think carefully about costs.

– For example, we have made a clear decision that the expenses of the disaster relief emergency fund cannot exceed 15 per cent. Social media has brought with it opportunities to save on advertising, do targeted advertising, experiment, and keep better track of the results. However, it cannot completely replace all other forms of advertising.

The cost of thank you messages sent to donors is also being kept to a minimum. The laws on fundraising also set their own limits on what can be given to donors.

– You cannot reward a donor. You can only give something that is technically worthless as compensation. For example during the food day collections we gave away thank you stickers. I believe it is a good thing that when we have sometimes written thank you letters on high quality paper, we have instantly received feedback that we should not spend money on things like that.”

The best reward according to Laurinsilta is being able to openly tell donors what has been accomplished with their money or time and work.

• The Good Holiday Spirit campaign helps families in Finland. An interview by the Finnish Broadcasting Company on the significance of the Good Holiday Spirit campaign by the Mannerheim League for Child Welfare and the Finnish Red Cross to families in Finland. “Mitä kuuluu suomalaiselle lapsiperheelle?” (‘How are Finnish families doing?’), Finnish Broadcasting Company, November 21, 2014.