A friend asked me about the possibility of applying sustainability in charity and its ramifications, so I said to him: of course and certainly, goodness has always been a way to pave the way for sustainability, and sustainability has always been a procession towards goodness, so let me explain, my friend, charity is the pillar of social cohesion, and if we decorate it with sustainability, there is no doubt that it will push for more giving and compassion. So how do we get charity work to the highest degree of sustainability? Charity is undoubtedly a pursuit of good, but its sustainability is often hampered by various challenges, such as waste, poor distribution, and sometimes inefficiency; such issues will inevitably limit the impact of philanthropic efforts. For example, we see waste in activities that are predominantly over-donated; perhaps the best solution here is for charities to regulate inventory management processes, and focus on need-based and demand-driven donation practices. Poor distribution indicates that resources do not reach those who need them most; the solution here is to strengthen cooperation between charities along with adopting data-driven distribution strategies, as data and studies contribute to identifying the actual needy, and thus linking them to the required resources.

As for inefficiency, and I mean here the lack of skills and sound management practices necessary for the operation of charitable programs, and the consequent complete impoverishment of the effectiveness of the charitable effort. Examples here are very many, including poor planning and implementation, mismanagement of funds, and sometimes failure to manage or even predict risks before they occur. But the beauty of the matter is that, as there are many problems, there are also many solutions, the first of which is investing in training and professional development of employees. The second is financial audits, which lead to enhancing trust between people and entities. Of course, there are evaluation and performance monitoring processes, and it is no secret here the role of governance that manifests itself through the presence of a board of directors with knowledge and experience to supervise processes and make decisions.

Learn from the UAE

In conclusion, I say that sustainable charity comes by addressing all issues and obstacles, and also by learning from leading examples such as the UAE, which has always been one of the largest donors to all people of need and distress, and also the first to provide relief in times of crisis; all of this is an inevitable result of the meeting of generosity and guidance.

Founder of Suhail Smart Solutions