Expanding the Charity Dinner Circle of Support

HOPE-JP • October 19, 2025
Group of people at a registration table; smiling, mixed genders and ethnicities; indoor setting with orange carpet.

HOPE has been hosting charity dinners - events that combine fundraising with the excitement of an auction - for over 20 years. In this article, we look back on the history of HOPE's charity dinners, highlights of the auctions, and share voices from participants.

Beginnings of a Charity Dinner

HOPE Japan, with its network in nine countries worldwide, was inspired by fundraising events organized by HOPE Canada and began hosting its own charity dinner in Nagoya in 2002. At that time the Japan office had just been established and neither the organization nor the concept of a "Charity Dinner" was well-known in Japan. In contrast, such events were already a familiar way of giving in countries where the culture of charity was deeply rooted, so most of the early participants were foreigners living in Japan. Even so, HOPE aimed to introduce this form of giving, raise awareness of its work in project areas, and encourage more people in Japan to join the movement.

Understanding HOPE through Stories from the Field

The charity dinner is held with two main goals. The first is to convey the challenges faced in the project areas to participants. Since HOPE's project sites are located far from Japan, we create short films that show the daily lives of local beneficiaries, our approach to support, and the positive changes taking place.

Through these visual and auditory experiences, we hope participants can feel closer to the people they are supporting and gain a deeper understanding of HOPE's work - something that words alone cannot convey. We also hope that joining the dinner will inspire participants to take their first step toward support for solving these issues.

Unique auction that builds unity among participants and sponsors

The other purpose of the charity dinner is to let participants enjoy sharing in contributing with auction sponsors. The dinners begin with a toast using water, which symbolizes HOPE’s work that starts with clean water. Together, all participants share the importance of clean water before enjoying an evening of fine dining and conversation in a special venue, while also participating in the charity auction from which proceeds support our project work.

People at a wine auction, placing bids on a long table.

The auction features a variety of items donated by sponsors supporting HOPE's projects, with the proceeds contributing to project activities. A popular item is the "Naming Rights for a Cow," where the winning bidder can name a cow lent to a Cambodian farmer through HOPE's agricultural support initiative (an "animal bank"), and they receive reports about the cow and its owner's family. If desired, the winning bidder can even visit and name the cow in Cambodia.

Dinners connect beyond borders

Over 5,000 people have participated in HOPE Japan's dinners, bringing together individuals with diverse backgrounds, transcending nationalities. It serves as a social gathering where people from different fields interact, and those who met at previous dinners reunite annually. Organizers consciously create an event environment at the dinners that connects HOPE projects with participants.

As a result, companies like Universal Studios Japan (USJ) have attended HOPE's dinners, using them as a reference for launching their own charity dinners. This has been a rewarding synergy for HOPE, continuing as its role as a pioneer of the charity dinner event in Japan.


Conveying the importance of participation

Among the participants, there are those who later become part of HOPE's organization. One such person is the current Executive Director and board member, Jeffrey Behr, who has been in office since 2019.


He shared his journey from being a participant to his current outlook.

      How did you first become involved in a HOPE charity dinner?

          I was invited by a director of HOPE with whom I had professional connections, and I attended the dinner in Tokyo. It was a fundraising event where people gathered, many of whom were socially conscious, and I enjoyed meeting new like-minded people.

      What was your impression of the first dinner you attended?

          During the dinner, I learned about HOPE's mission and activities. I was impressed that HOPE provides various types of support to help people in developing countries escape poverty. It made me realize that even a small amount of individual support can make a difference in the lives of people in project areas.

      How did your connection with HOPE continue after the dinner?

          I attended the dinner the following year and won the auction for the "Cow Naming Rights." I went to Cambodia to see and name the cow, and meet the family receiving the cow. It was a significant experience to meet them and learn first-hand how their lives had changed. I was deeply impressed with how access to safe water had improved their lives, their livelihood, and it was a deeply meaningful experience.

      How was the auction experience?

          As mentioned, at the dinner where I won the "Cow Naming Rights" and after which went to Cambodia to meet the family, I realized then how important the auction is to the overall charity dinner experience.

          Jeff Behr wth HOPE cow.

          It's an important part of the dinner that connects participants to the project work, by one's direct support and by providing funds for furthering HOPE's mission. It also allows auction sponsors to give and share with others about their own work. It's a great example of cooperation helping others.

      As an organizer, what are your feelings now?

          I want everyone participating in the events to have an opportunity to see and learn as much as possible. Currently held in Kansai, Nagoya, and Tokyo - we are gradually adjusting to the preferences of each region and the participants and volunteers involved. Since these are community-based events, I believe it's important to include organizers from each community in gathering participants and sponsors.


          As a HOPE organizer, what I want to convey most to our charity dinner attendees is the importance of their participation and how significant their impact is on the lives of those we support and cooperate with in project areas. I hope the dinner is not only a means of supporting projects but also an event where participants can find meaningful purpose and significance in supporting HOPE's activities.


Changing the region and the world through Charity Dinners

The Charity Dinner plays a vital role in connecting participants with beneficiaries and projects. It's a great way to expand the circle of support. Over the years, many individuals have taken part, creating encounters with people and companies who had long wished to contribute to society but lacked the opportunity. These connections have led to new partnerships and have gradually expanded support for communities in developing countries.


For HOPE, the charity dinner is also an essential opportunity to raise funds for our activities. Fundraising is a common challenge for NGOs and NPOs, and through the experience we have gained over the years, we aim to share our know-how and build a stronger network of organizations that share the same vision.


Looking ahead, we hope to further develop the Charity Dinner so that each participant can feel a deeper connection with the beneficiaries in our project areas. At the same time, we aim to foster a culture of charity in Japan and expand our work throughout the world.

HOPE's activities are supported by your donations.

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