Yeongju City, South Korea, has announced remarkable success with its hometown love contribution scheme, achieving total donations of 799 million KRW ($600,000) for 2024. This figure exceeds the originally set target of 500 million KRW and marks an impressive 82% increase compared to the previous year's total of 430 million KRW.
The significant uptick in contributions can be attributed to various strategies deployed by Yeongju's local government as they enter the second year of their hometown love donation initiative. Active promotions targeting alumni associations and former residents played a key role, as did improvements to the donation process aimed at enhancing donor engagement and satisfaction.
One standout strategy involved partnering with local agricultural cooperatives to develop distinctive rewards for donors. These rewards have become popular choices ranging from high-quality local beef and pork to fresh apples and ginseng, significantly boosting donor satisfaction levels. These initiatives not only attracted local donors but also helped promote regional agricultural products on broader markets.
During the year-end period, the city encouraged donations through promotional events such as the '1+1 Reward Giveaway,' which generated additional interest among employees eager for year-end tax benefits, resulting in over 540 million KRW collected during just the last two months of 2023.
The sales performance of donated rewards also demonstrated success, surpassing 200 million KRW throughout the year. Kim Jun-han, head of Yeongju's Tax Division, remarked, "This achievement is thanks to the warm interest and participation of the donors." He adds hopes for next year's initiative to include even more diverse rewards and effective donation programs aimed at addressing local challenges.
Yeongju's experience with this fundraising model emphasizes the effectiveness of community involvement strategies, serving as a potential template for other local governments seeking to boost their budgets through similar initiatives. Their achievement indicates not only financial support for local projects but also highlights community spirit and connection among residents, regardless of where they might currently reside.
Overall, as local governments throughout South Korea refine their fundraising strategies, the success of Yeongju's hometown love contribution scheme serves as a promising example of how engaging the broader community can yield substantial dividends, both financially and socially.