Trends in Recipients – 2018-2022 

In the past period, nonprofit organizations consistently held the forefront as the primary recipients of donations in Croatia, and this trend persists in 2022. The country witnessed a substantial surge in support for nonprofits during the year, marking a 12% increase in frequency when comparing 2021 and 2022. Specifically, nonprofits received 37% of donation instances in 2021, which rose to 49% in 2022. 

On the other hand, the frequency of giving to individuals and families decreased in 2022 compared to the preceding year (35.4%), during which philanthropic giving predominantly supported natural disaster relief, particularly earthquake recovery. After 2020 when institutions and authorities experienced significant peaks in support, aligning with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and earthquakes, by this year institutions witnessed a gradual decline, stabilizing at 22.6%; authorities settled at 3.5% of all giving instances. Other recipients accounted for 2.4% of the total support. When it comes to the donation values, the trend is similar: with the break in the pandemic year, when the state was the most supported recipient, nonprofit organizations continue to fundraise the biggest shares of the total recorded amounts on an annual basis. This year, the share of value for the state dropped by almost 10%. 

 

 
Key Role of the Nonprofit Organizations 

Building on the support to the nonprofit sector, a focal point in Croatia's philanthropy, 2022 showcased an increase with 49% donation instances and 51.8% of the donated amount – which makes 10,126,942 euros invested in nonprofit activities, proving their continued role as critical contributors to the country's philanthropic endeavors. Domestic associations received the bulk of support, making up 88.5% of all instances, while private foundations accounted for 6.8% of donation instances. Foreign associations received 4.6% of support, while corporate foundations received a smaller proportion - 0.1%. 

The themes that received nonprofits’ support covered a diverse range, but support to marginalized groups received the most significant share of total donation instances for nonprofits (36.3%). This support increased compared to 2021 and the support was mainly directed toward people with disabilities (21.9% of donation instances), children without parental care, and less supported marginalized groups like the homeless and victims of domestic violence. Out of all key themes, healthcare is second supported with slightly increased (with 18.3% donation instances), while education and poverty relief maintained the same low level of supporters’ engagement from last year (7.4% poverty relief, and 7.3% education). Other themes included seasonal giving (8.1%), animal welfare (6.2%), and emergency management (6%). 

Taking a closer look at the data on recorded donation values fundraised by the nonprofit sector, it is noteworthy that emergency management, this time assistance for people affected by the war in Ukraine generated the biggest share of the recorded value – 34.7% of the amount recorded for the nonprofits. These significant amounts were in the great deal collected through Unicef Croatia, Caritas Croatia, and Red Cross Croatia. Similarly, culture and arts also generated a significant amount of 18.2% thanks to the fundraising efforts for program support of Kultura Nova Foundation. 

Notable Nonprofits and Their Causes 
Supporting Arts & Culture 

Kultura Nova Foundation was crucial in supporting culture and arts, receiving 9.2% of the total donation amount (1,794,973 euros). The funds were utilized to execute 195 programs/projects/activities by civil society organizations active in contemporary culture and art. This significant contribution propelled culture and arts to become one of the most supported causes in Croatia in 2022, with a total donation of 1,953,868 euros. 

Kuća Imotske Riči (The House of Words Imotski) by Ujević Cultural and Artistic Association: Raised 19,746 euros to reconstruct an old house for a local book collection and events. 

Support for women’s health 

Nisi sama - Ideš s nama! (You are not alone - You are coming with us!) by Association Nismo Same: This campaign raised 57,437 euros to provide free taxi transport for women with cancer to chemotherapy. 

The Pink Ribbon initiative by dm-drogerie markt Croatia and P.I.N.K. Life Association raised 11,814 euros in the fight against breast cancer. This effort, aimed at healthcare equipment and supporting educational programs by P.I.N.K. Life Association, allows customers to contribute directly by purchasing deodorants from 25 brands. Each sale also assisted in acquiring an ultrasound device for the University Clinic Sestre Milosrdnice.  

Most needy and support in emergency situations 

Notably, UNICEF Croatia received 9.4% of the total recorded amount, amounting to 1,830,857 euros, primarily dedicating it to education, support for marginalized groups, and emergency management for the people affected by the war in Ukraine. 

Caritas Croatia fundraised 6.2% (1,207,649 euros) of the donated amount, which supported causes such as child welfare, women's rights, aid for Ukrainian refugees, and food assistance to vulnerable populations.  

Red Cross Croatia collected 2.6% (510,643 euros) mainly for aiding socially vulnerable citizens, providing humanitarian aid for refugees from Ukraine, collecting food and hygiene supplies, organizing fundraising campaigns, and facilitating community projects. 

Solidarna Foundation for Human Rights and Solidarity follows with 2.0% (390,562 euros), supporting causes spanning child welfare, women's rights, domestic violence, aid for Ukrainian refugees, and energy-saving initiatives for the elderly in 2022. 

Helping socially disadvantaged citizens 

#Prezimljavanje=Preživljavanje (#WinterSurvival) by the Croatian Network for the Homeless and Olival cosmetics company joined forces to raise funds for essential winter items for homeless individuals, ensuring a slightly warmer winter for the neediest. The campaign addressed the increased winter demand for sleeping bags, backpacks, canned food, and basic hygiene items. 

The joint Konzum and Mastercard campaign successfully raised and contributed 42,500 euros to assist socially disadvantaged families, with a specific emphasis on children. The funds were allocated to support the Association Djeca Prva and the World Food Program, working towards alleviating child poverty in Croatia and facilitating school meals in Rwanda. 

Giving to the State 

Turning attention to giving to the state, it was already mentioned that apart from the pandemic year 2020, institutions and local and national governments have been receiving less support both in terms of frequency and monetary value: this year with 26.1% of instances and 31.7% of the total recorded value.  

In terms of the frequency of support, healthcare (29.2% of all instances directed toward the state) and education (22.5% of all instances directed toward the state) were the most supported themes, mostly through institutions. Looking at the monetary value, more than 55% of the amount donated to the state was recorded within the healthcare. 

Within the state, health institutions were most present with 33.5% of giving instances, followed by educational institutions with 24.7% of donation instances, and then social institutions (23.9%). Local and national governments, culture, science, and sport institutions were donation recipients in fewer cases. 

 
Examples of Giving to the State ​
Investing in health 

The City of Labin, with the help of companies and citizens collected 134,654 euros, and the amount was used for the purchase of a stationary mammograph for the Labin Health Center. 

Another example comes from the action organized by a group of Croatian citizens living in Chicago, USA. They organized a golf tournament, collecting 20,922 euros to benefit Nova Gradiška General Hospital. The funds were used to purchase essential medical devices. 

There was also a significant donation from the pharmaceutical company Novartis Hrvatska d.o.o, which donated medicines worth 632,086 euros to Klaićeva Children's Hospital. 

Aiding schools and improving outdoor activities 

As part of the ZelEn initiative, Hrvatska elektroprivreda DD HEP contributed a heat pump valued at 94,100 euros to the School of Electrical Engineering Varaždin. This donation serves as the primary source of thermal energy for the school's heating needs. 

As part of their 50th-anniversary celebration, Hrvatska Lutrija allocated 11,997 euros to equip parks for outdoor exercise in cities and municipalities across Croatia, with the aim to invest in local communities and contribute to health through sports and recreation activities. 

Nexe Grupa and IGMA d.o.o. Koprivnica contributed 146,482 euros for the construction of a pedestrian bicycle path in the municipality of Drnje.  

Supporting Arts & Culture 

M Plus Croatia company wanted to invest in the development of culture and contribute to the community. They supported the Croatian National Theater Zagreb with 66,309 euros to enhance its technological capabilities and improve public engagement, by implementing modern technologies in the operation of the theater. 

The Annual report Giving Croatia 2022 was supported by the C. S. Mott Foundation and the Rockefeller Brothers Fund. The views expressed on this web page do not necessarily reflect the views of the C. S . Mott Foundation and the Rockefeller Brothers Fund and their partners.