Gwangju Buk-gu's 'Hometown Love Donation' Performance Disappointing... Will It Achieve Significant Results This Year?

Fundraising Amount 260 Million KRW, 1,975 Applications Received

Below National Average, Lowest Level in Some Regions

"Will Exceed Target Through Enhanced Promotion"

Playing a Catalyst Role by Expanding Return Gifts

Over the past year, the hometown love donation system in Buk-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City, has recorded a total fundraising amount of 260 million KRW. Compared to the national average, the performance is somewhat disappointing. In response, Buk-gu is rolling up its sleeves by expanding donation return gifts and organizing study tours to exemplary institutions.

According to Buk-gu on the 27th, last year's fundraising amount through the hometown love donation system was 260 million KRW, with 1,975 cases received. Small donations under 100,000 KRW accounted for more than 95% of the total. The donors were mainly in their 30s and 40s.

Compared to the average fundraising amount of 335 million KRW among 140 local governments nationwide with a financial independence rate below 20%, the results are somewhat disappointing. Buk-gu's financial independence rate is 13.35%. Generally, the lower the financial independence rate, the more active the fundraising activities tend to be.

Looking at the fundraising amounts of the five autonomous districts within the region, Buk-gu ranks 4th, near the bottom. There is a widening gap with Dong-gu at 926 million KRW, Gwangsan-gu at 312 million KRW, and Seo-gu at 309 million KRW. Nam-gu, which ranked last, raised 234 million KRW.

Although Buk-gu exceeded its own forecast of 174 million KRW, it is interpreted as conservative considering that Gwangsan-gu initially set a target of 1 billion KRW.

The hometown love donation system allows individuals to donate not only to their birthplace but also to their 'second hometowns' formed through study, work, or travel. Local governments use these funds to improve residents' welfare and provide donors with tax deductions and return gifts. The related law was enacted in 2021 and implemented from January 1, 2023.

At the beginning of the system's implementation, Buk-gu seemed to have a smooth start by promoting donation cases such as BTS J-Hope's contribution. However, in the first half of last year, donations did not come in as much as expected. As a result, the funds could not be used for projects that year and had to be kept in the bank.

Fund projects will get back on track starting this year. Buk-gu plans to carry out eight projects worth 85 million KRW (including children's self-education safety guardians) and will spend 26 million KRW on operating expenses (mainly promotional costs). They also plan to spend an additional 12.9 million KRW through a supplementary budget in May.

To revitalize the hometown love donation system, the number of return gifts was recently expanded significantly from 56 to 95 types. Six types of livestock products such as Korean beef and pork, 17 types of processed foods including Namdo kimchi and Mudeungsan watermelon sparkling water, four types of industrial products such as mask packs, and 10 types of crafts including lacquered tumblers were added.

They also opened a 'Hall of Fame' on the district office website to post donors' personal information, rekindling the spirit of donation culture.

Earlier this month, Buk-gu visited Yeonggwang, Jeollanam-do, which raised 934 million KRW, for an 'advanced site study tour,' and agreed on voluntary cross-donations among public officials. They also plan to visit Haenam, which has raised 640 million KRW, to share best practices and learn know-how.

A Buk-gu official said, "There were many difficulties last year, the initial year of the hometown love donation system project. Now that we are entering the second year, we will strengthen policy promotion and strive to establish a donation culture. We will pool administrative power to exceed this year's target of 300 million KRW."