What Are the Secrets Behind the Success of Gwangju Dong-gu and Damyang, Ranked 1st and 2nd in Hometown Love Donations Among Basic Local Governments?

Discovery of Designated Donation Projects for Stray Animals
Positive Response to Selection of Diverse Return Gift Suppliers
"30% of Donations" Boosts Local Economic Sales

Gwangju Donggu Office Building (left) and Jeonnam Damyang County Office Building panorama.

The hometown donation funds from Gwangju Dong-gu and Damyang-gun in Jeollanam-do, which ranked first and second among all local governments nationwide last year, have translated into increased sales for local return gift suppliers and other businesses, injecting new vitality into the regional economy.

As the hometown donation program enters its third year, experts note that the discovery of designated donation projects and a variety of return gifts have attracted donors' attention, positioning these two local governments as representative success models.

According to Gwangju Dong-gu and Damyang-gun in Jeollanam-do on the 24th, Dong-gu raised a total of 2,397 million won in hometown donations last year (23,407 donations). This is a 2.6-fold increase compared to 2023 (921 million won). The number of donations also rose 2.9 times, from 8,179 in 2023 to 23,407 last year.

Damyang-gun in Jeollanam-do also saw its fundraising amount increase by 2.7% to 2,302 million won last year, up from 2,241 million won the previous year. The number of donations increased by 38.6% to 16,832, compared to 12,142 the previous year, with 3,784 people making repeat donations for two consecutive years.

The success of these two local governments in the third year of the hometown donation program is attributed to their active development of projects for designated donations, allowing donors to contribute directly to causes of their choice.

In Dong-gu, 60.7% of hometown donations were made as general donations to the local government. For designated donations, 17.5% went to support for youth with developmental disabilities, 16.2% to the rescue and protection of stray animals, and 5.6% to the preservation of Gwangju Theater.

In contrast, Damyang saw 95.6% of donations going to the local government as general donations. For designated donations, the largest share (2.4%) supported the stray animal adoption project, followed by senior cultural welfare programs, rehabilitation care at the Hyangchon Senior Welfare Center, and support for the Damyang Hometown Association Hall construction.

Although designated donations were lower than in Dong-gu, both local governments saw donor interest in projects related to stray animals.

As donation amounts increased, the local economy was further revitalized by the positive response from small business owners. Hometown donation donors receive return gifts equivalent to 30% of their donation amount. Donations up to 100,000 won are fully tax-deductible, and amounts exceeding 100,000 won receive a 16.5% tax deduction.

Last year, Dong-gu prepared 94 types of return gifts from 41 local businesses, including beef, pork belly, kimchi, fish, and coffee. Of these, livestock products such as beef and pork belly accounted for 67% (481 million won), receiving the highest response. Kimchi and coffee followed, generating 720 million won in sales for local businesses.

In Damyang-gun, the Damyang Love Gift Certificate was the most popular return gift. The Damyang Love Gift Certificate is a voucher issued to stimulate the local economy and can only be used within the region. Other popular items included rice, Hangwa (traditional Korean sweets), Korean beef, and desserts.

An official from Gwangju Dong-gu said, "With active operations by suppliers in the market to provide return gifts, there has been growing interest and ongoing inquiries this year. We will strive to achieve good results again this year through the development of diverse return gifts, designated donation projects, and systematic management."