HOPE Charity Dinners: Connecting people through fundraising
HOPE Charity Dinners, which have been held since 2002, are events where we share information about our work that serves neglected communities and raises funds for our projects. These are some of our most important events that enable the work we do.
When we held our first Charity Dinner in the early 2000s, it was a relatively new method of raising funds that was not familiar to many in Japan. However, since then, more than 5,000 people have attended our Charity Dinners over the last 20 years. This month, we would like to share some insights about our Charity Dinners.
The first HOPE Japan Charity Dinner was in Nagoya in 2002. It was a fundraising event held by HOPE Canada, the headquarters of the HOPE Network. Most of the guests who attended this first event were foreigners living in Japan as this type of fundraising event was not well-known among the Japanese public. In order to attract more Japanese attendees we’ve altered and adjusted several aspects of the program based on each venue, and since 2010 we have seen an increase in the number of Japanese guests.
Connecting People – with Purpose and Significance
The purpose of our Charity Dinners is to connect our donors with the local communities where our work is implemented and to apprise our supporters and stakeholders of the challenges these communities face. The events function to raise funds that support our work to help our beneficiaries resolve their development issues. In addition, the events are significant in that they also serve as a social venue and an opportunity to inform and educate the general public about HOPE's projects, including those who are new to charities and want to learn more about social enterprises.
HOPE Charity Dinners are held every year in Nagoya, Kansai, and Tokyo. The guests are different in each city and many attend regardless of nationality or gender to socialize with each other.
Informative + Fun
Charity Dinners are designed to be informative and fun. A popular feature is the auction which has been held from the very beginning. We present a wide variety of items provided by our sponsors, together with handicrafts from the regions we work abroad, and the proceeds are used to fund projects. The live auction is a memorable experience where an auctioneer presents unique and exquisite handicrafts, as well as valuable and practical products from our sponsors.
During the second half of the event, we present a short film that helps communicate the problems our local beneficiaries face and how we support and help their communities resolve them. The purpose behind these films is to transport the audience to the actual neglected communities and convey the lives of the locals through their images and their own voices.
A Place to Connect
Charity Dinners are a place to connect and share with others, and a place to connect with and support neglected communities. In 2020 we had to cancel our in-person dinners or pivot to online events due to COVID-19. However, since late 2022 we've returned to live events as a place to reconnect and deliver the critical support from our donors to those in most need.
