The 2017 Annual Report on Philanthropy in Macedonia was the result of media monitoring (print, broadcast and electronic) of keywords related to domestic philanthropy during the period from January to December 2017.

1. number of recorded instances
estimated value of donations
average donation per citizen
decrease from 2016
3.4 %
7.6 %
49.2 %
3.3 %
9.1 %
10.0 %
5.8 %
5.1 %
5.8 %
0.7 %
671
2.0M €
1.0 €
23.6 %
During 2017, Catalyst Balkans tracked media reports on domestic individual, corporate and
diaspora philanthropy in Macedonia. This brochure provides key statistics on the findings
of this research.
Polog
Northeast
Skopje
East
Southwest
Pelagonia
Vardar
Southeast
throughout Macedonia
outside of Macedonia
17Annual Report on the State of
Philanthropy Macedonia
Quick Facts

2. The trend of increased number of instances has continued in 2017.
671 unique instances of charitable giving were recorded, which is
almost three times more than in 2016. However, increased number
of instances did not reflect the level of giving in the same way, as in
comparison with 2016, estimated total value of giving has decreased
for 23.6%.
A closer look at the geographic distribution of giving shows the raise
of the percentage of instances in all regions with exception of Skopje
(49.2%), Polog (3.4%) and East (3.3%) regions, while Southeast region
remained at the 2016 level. Same distribution level is also recorded
with the percentage of instances directed to several regions across
the country, while there is a drop in percentage of instances directed
outside of Macedonia. Distribution of giving to the capital has also
decreased in 2017 - 48% of instances was directed to Skopje.
In terms of the level of activity in 2017, the ranking of donor types has
not change. Despite the continuous decrease in level of activity over the
last three years, citizens have managed to keep the first position on the
donor list (51.6%). On the other hand, second ranked corporate sector
has been more active with 38.5% of instances, while individual donors
maintained the same, third position, but with decreased percentage of
instances (5.2%). In terms of the values of donations, corporate sector
is at the first place with highest donated amount. After 2016 year’s
significant raise in the recorded value and first place on the donor list,
individual donors have now returned to the second place with dropped
activity. As for the citizens, they have maintained the third position,
with increased donated amount this year. Donors from diaspora have
participated in 2.1% actions, and unlike last year, with smaller values. In
total recorded amount diaspora participated with share of 4.9% value
which is, compared to last year, major decrease.
Level of
giving
Geographic
distribution
Donors
Several Characteristics of Philanthropy
in Macedonia in 2017

3. Recipients
Nonprofit
organizations
Use of
donation
Beneficiaries
Data
Transparency
Themes Related to the themes of giving in 2017, all the key themes have
maintained the ranking from 2016. The donors are still most interested
in support to marginalized groups, although with the drop in percentage
of instances directed towards this theme (28.5%). In 2017, healthcare
and poverty relief were supported almost equally - compared with 2016
healthcare with decrease (18.5%) and poverty relief with increase in
percentage of instances (17.7%). It is noteworthy and very positive that
percentage of instances for the fourth ranked education has increased
– 12.5% in 2017.
In 2017, individuals and families have seen decrease in interest (39%)
but still continued to be the most supported recipient. Similar to the
other countries in the region, nonprofit organizations, which now have
jumped to the second place on the list, are expanding activities and
are more supported this year with 33.5% of instances. With reduced
percentage of instances institution are now third ranked, while local
and national governments have also seen decrease in support and
remained at the fourth place. Consequently, interest in support to the
state (institutions and local and national government) has dropped this
year both in terms of donor activity (23.8% of instances) and recorded
donated value (29.1%).
Over the last years nonprofit sector has been developing activities,
slowly gaining donors trust and support, through receiving multiple
donations and building partnerships. In 2017, nonprofits received
greater support in both level of donors’ interest and amount invested
in them. Following the trend from last year, in 2017 the most active
donor for nonprofits were citizens as mass individual donor type, but
the data shows that interest of the corporate sector is getting stronger
each year.
Looking at the use of donation, we can emphasize an encouraging
change of increase of strategic investments (36.5% of instances), while
on the other hand, although still predominant form, one-off support
has seen drop in frequency - 47.5%.
The list of key final beneficiary groups remained unchanged, however
the ranking looks different from last year. People in economic need
(25.2%) and people from local communities (20.7%) have seen increase
in number of instances and are two most supported beneficiary groups
this year. Range of other supported beneficiary groups is wide, and this
year is extended with support to LGBT population.
Progressively over the years, interest of media in philanthropy has been
increasing. Following that positive trend, in 2017 a bit less than third of
media reports (29.4%) is indicating the value of a donation.

4. Mass Individual
Corporate Sector
Individuals
Mixed Donors
Private Foundations
Other
% of instances
% of recorded sum
% of Instances
Mass Individual
Corporate Sector
Individuals
% of Recorded Sum
Mass Individual
Corporate Sector
Individuals
2015 2016 2017
64.6%
18.9%
5.1%
55.7%
28.3%
9.6%
51.6%
38.5%
5.2%
29.9%
35.7%
30.8%
8.8%
15.1%
62.8%
21.0%
41.8%
27.6%
2015 2016 2017
Donors
Donations by Type of Donors
Key Trends in Types of Donors
51.6
21.0
38.5
41.8
5.2
27.6
2.4
3.8
1.0
2.5
1.3
3.3

5. Data on philanthropy in 2017 are much more transparent, with 29.4% of instances
containing information about the monetary value. Total recorded value of donation
reported upon by the media and which could be verified using other sources is almost
EUR 791,000. Since somewhat less than one third of recorded data contained the
actual value of the donations, we used extrapolation to make a cautious estimate
that the value of donations for charitable purposes in Macedonia in 2017 was over
EUR 2 million.
By the number of instances, the data shows that the ranking of donor types has
remained the same as last year. In comparison with 2016, citizens have decreased
level of activity (51.6%), but remained first with the most numerous donations coming
from them. Corporate sector has continued with the last year’s trend of increased
interest to reach 38.5% of instances of giving. After last year’s increase, Individual
donors were less active this year providing share of 5.2% of total recorded instances.
These three donor types participated with over 95% of total recorded instances.
When we examine recorded value of donations the ranking of key donors looks
different and is actually reflecting the situation from 2015. Along with being more
active, companies and corporate foundations participated with 41.8% share in total
recorded amount, which is for more than 26% higher than in 2016. Increase of
support to communities through calls and projects was recorded this year, both
in terms of frequency and value, and in general, donations given by the corporate
sector were of higher values in 2017. Individual donors have significantly decreased
the share in donated value and returned to the second place with 27.6%, while
despite the drop in activity citizens have managed to participate with higher values
through response to several fundraising campaigns, and bigger share of 21% of
total recorded value.
Private foundations have not made strong impact this year, keeping the level of
activity from 2016, but participating with smaller share in total recorded values –
2.5%.
Unlike last year when one diaspora individual donor contributed with almost half
of the total recorded donation value in the country, in 2017 diaspora donors were
less active and contributed with smaller amounts.
Donors Key Points

6. Nonprofit
organizations
Individuals/
Families Institutions
32.6%
30.6% 30.2%
Education
Support to
marginalized
groups
Poverty Relief/
mitigation
People in
economic need
Local
Communities
People with
Disabilities
Top 3
Recipient Entities
Top 3
Themes for Giving
Top 3
Final Beneficiary
Groups
27.5%
33.7%
20.5%
22.1%
14.3%
12.0%
Corporate Sector
Profiles of the Most Common Types of Donors

7. Stopanska banka AD Skopje supported initiative of the City of Skopje by giving
donation of EUR 17,700 to set up five stations for reparation of bicycles and tire
pumps, as well as 105 metal holders for bicycles parking spots in Skopje. The
purpose of this donation was to encourage participants in traffic to change the mode
commuting and to promote the bicycle as an alternative form of transportation in
order to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality. Additionally, within the
same initiative, Pivara Skopje (Brewery Skopje) donated equipment for five bicycle
parking spots with total amount of EUR 24,972.
The lead and zinc mine Rudnik SASA DOOEL Makedonska Kamenica donated EUR
30,000 worth equipment for the newly opened “Kukjata na sportot” fitness center
(House of sport) in Makedonska Kamenica. House of sport is facility which serves
as a place for training of local football club and other sports’ clubs, as well as to all
people who like to work out and are into healthy life styles. Additionally, in an effort
to support the local community, the company donated a terrain vehicle for the
needs of the Emergency medical assistance in Makedonska Kamenica. The value of
the vehicle is EUR 20,000.
During 2017 the Rock Kafana Rustikana restaurant in Skopje initiated several
humanitarian campaigns, where for the price of each meal or drink in their
restaurant they donated MKD 1 on top of the price the customers paid. In that way,
the restaurant supported work of several associations: Animal’s voice Macedonia,
Association Borka Skopje, Association One can!, Association Retvitni obrok, but also
provided with needed funds individual recipients in economic need, with disabilities
and health issues.
Restaurant Dion in Skopje decided to support one family in economic need from
Ljubanci village throughout 2017, by providing free meals for them on a daily basis.
Examples of Corporate
Sector Donations

8. Nonprofit
organizations
Individuals/
Families Institutions
Healthcare
Support to
marginalized
groups
Poverty relief/
mitigation
People with health
issues
People in
economic need
People with
disabilities
Top 3
Recipient Entities
Top 3
Themes for Giving
Top 3
Final Beneficiary
Groups
43.9%
29.8%
24.6%
36.1%
26.3%
23.4%
13.6%
19.1%
16.8%
Mass Individual
Profiles of the Most Common Types of Donors

9. Traditional annual humanitarian picnic for the employees of the company Alkaloid AD
Skopje was organized for the seventh time in a row. Each year company employees
give monetary contributions to collect funds for different causes. This year EUR
16,500 was collected and donated to the Pediatric Clinic in Skopje.
On February 26, a fundraising concert was organized in Skopje. Funds collected
from tickets proceeds were donated to several bands from Skopje for obtaining new
musical instruments, and they have succeeded to buy equipment for 20 musicians.
Those bands lost their equipment in unfortunate fire that hit music studio they
were practicing in.
Under the campaign “Mrdni so prst” (Move with a finger), a fundraising concert was
organized on the 10th of September at the City Park in Skopje, where Macedonian
singers were entertaining the audience, while boxes for donations were opened
for citizens’ contribution of school supplies. All the collected school supplies were
distributed to 120 children in economic need in six different elementary schools in
Skopje and the surrounding areas.
Diaspora couple, Toni and Tanja Momirovski from Australia, organized an event in
Melbourne, where Macedonians who live in this city were donating funds to obtain
needed medical equipment for the Pediatric Clinic in Skopje. The equipment consists
of infusion and an echo tomography device. The total amount raised was EUR 24,750.
Within campaign “Macedonia with love for Aleppo”, organized by the First Children
Embassy in the World Megjashi and CSO Legis, from donors across Macedonia have
collected clothes, food and shoes in value of EUR 9,000. The donations were provided
to 350 children in the refugee camps in Syria.
Examples of Mass Individual Giving
Giving to People Living in Other
Countries

10. Seasonal Giving
Culture and Arts
Sport, Social Entrepreneurship,
Environment, Religious Activities,
Animal Welfare
Public Infrastructure, Heritage,
Emergency Management
Breakdown of Other Themes
Key Themes
for Giving
28.5 %
18.5 %
17.7 %
12.5 %
5-10 %
3-5 %
1-3 %
0-1 %
Support to marginalized groups
Healthcare
Poverty relief/mitigation
Education

11. 77.2% of total recorded instances were directed to support four key themes: support
to marginalized groups, healthcare, poverty relief and education.
With some fluctuations in level of interest, it is noteworthy that all key themes
maintained ranking positions from 2016. Changes in percentage of instances of
giving to support to marginalized groups indicate that despite still being the most
supported theme, it is less attractive to donors this year. Along with that, donors
showed significantly lower level of activity in support to healthcare, shifting more
attention to poverty relief, which practically broth similar level of interest to these
two themes. It is very positive that the trend of increase of support to education over
the last three years has continued – donors are becoming aware of the importance
of this topic and in the context of strategic investment, as almost 65% of all instances
directed towards education was given as long-term support.
Regarding other supported themes, heritage and social entrepreneurship have been
recorded as newly supported in 2017, while this list of other themes remained broad.
2015 2016 2017
16.6%
28.3%
28.0%
3.1%
12.3%
31.1%
36.1%
4.6%
17.7%
18.5%
28.5%
12.5%
Key Themes
% of Instances
Poverty relief/mitigation
Healthcare
Support to marginalized groups
Education

12. Recipient Entities
Type of
Recipient Entities
Continuing the trend from the last three years, the most frequent recipients of giving in 2017
were individuals and families with decreased number of instances (39.0%). In comparison
with 2016, the interest for nonprofit organizations have significantly increased for more than
10%. This recipient entity has 33.5% of instances directed towards them and has taken the
second place on the list, which is positive change from last year when nonprofits were third
ranked. Institutions (20.4%) and local and national governments (3.4%) were supported less
frequently in this year, which resulted in lower support to the state. In terms of the recorded
donated values, stronger support this year was directed to nonprofit organizations and
individual and family recipients.
2015 2016 2017
21.4%
42.9%
22.9%
4.0%
22.4%
44.3%
24.2%
5.0%
33.5%
39.0%
20.4%
3.4%
Beneficiary Entities
% of Instances
Nonprofit organizations
Individuals/Families
Institutions
Local/National governments
39.0 %
33.5 %
20.4 %
3.4 %
3.7 %
Individuals/Families
Nonprofit Organizations
Institutions
Local and National Governments
Other

13. Nonprofit Organizations in 2017
The category of nonprofit organizations consists of local civil society associations,
foreign organizations, such as UNICEF, and private foundations.
The very positive trend of increased support to nonprofit sector has continued in
2017. Some of the associations appeared on the philanthropy scene for the first time
this year, actively organizing fundraising activities in support to various causes and
beneficiary groups. Numerous campaigns and events were organized to mobilize
donors and 33.5% of all donation instances in 2017 were directed to organizations
and private foundations. This represents significant increase from 2016, together
with the raise of recorded value donated (22%). That shows growth of donors’ trust
in organizations that successfully realize their activities and promote their work.
In 2017, the most numerous donations to the nonprofits continued to be directed
from citizens through mass individual giving, then from the corporate sector, primarily
from corporations, but from SMEs as well. In comparison with 2016, percentage of
instances coming from the corporate sector has been increased for almost 10%, while
citizens decreased the activity. The themes that are most frequently supported by
nonprofit organizations are at the first place by all means support to marginalized
groups, and then poverty relief and seasonal giving, but in smaller extent healthcare,
social entrepreneurship, education and animal welfare. As for the final beneficiary
groups, the most supported were people in economic need, people with disabilities,
people with health issues and children without parental care, but also homeless,
general population, population from local communities, single parents and animals.
Number of organizations that were active in 2017 is significantly higher than last
year, slowly developing activities and investing efforts in fundraising campaigns and
events. Organizations that received multiple donations this year are Humanitarian
organization Sveti Spas – Drachevo, SOS Children’s Village Macedonia, Association
Project Happiness Skopje, Association Retvitni obrok, Association One can!, Red
Cross Macedonia and Red Cross Skopje, Association for support of people born with
Down Syndrome Vera Strumica and Association Borka Skopje and Red Cross Ohrid.
52.6 %
17 %
7 %
Support to Marginalized Groups
Poverty relief/mitigation
Seasonal Giving

14. Sucesfull
Campaigns
The #RetvitniObrok Association is an initiative of citizens who want to make an impact
in their communities by support to vulnerable groups by preparing and donating
meals for homeless people and people from socially disadvantaged categories.
Members of the organization prepare food for homeless people and people from
socially disadvantaged categories every Friday. There were a lot of supporters for
this initiative, companies and individuals who recognized the importance of the
continuous support for the service this association provides. Besides numerous
citizens, many SMEs and companies have been supporting this project: Freshys
Skopje, Rock kafana Rustikana Skopje, Sunilens Skopje, Promes doo Skopje,
Adora Engineering Skopje, Tinex MT dooel Skopje, Alpsko mleko Makedonija, EVN
Macedonia, Makedonski Telekom AD Skopje, and many more.
As for the private foundations, frequent mentions were recorded for Foundation Step
by step Skopje, Foundation Fokus Veles and Albiz Foundation for the Development
of Culture and Education.

15. Key Beneficiary
Groups
People in economic need
Local Communities
People with health issues
People with disabilities
25.2 %
20.7 %
15.4 %
14.2 %
-
Children Without Parental Care
Homeless, Talented Youth, General
Population, Single Parents, Religious/Faith
Communities, Animals
Women and Children Survivors of Violence
Ethnic Minority Population,
Children and Youth at Risk, Elderly,
People Living in Other Countries,
Migrants, LGBT Population
Beneficiary Groups
3-5 %
5-10 %
1-3 %
0-1 %

16. 15.7%
12.6%
22.0%
13.7%
16.9%
8.2%
31.5%
15.1%
25.2%
20.7%
15.4%
14.2%
2015 2016 2017
Trends in Key Final Beneficiary Groups
% of Instances
People in economic need
Local communities
People with health issues
People with disabilities
People in economic need, population from local communities, people with health
issues and people with disabilities remained the top four final beneficiary groups,
and percentage of instances directed to them comprised 75.5% of overall number
of instances of giving in 2017.
Trends and fluctuations in support to the key themes for giving are reflected in
similar changes in support to the final beneficiary groups. Together with the increase
in support to poverty relief, percentage of instances directed towards people in
economic need is for more than 8% higher than in 2016, placing this group as first
ranked. Similarly, decrease in donors’ activity towards healthcare is resulted in the
lower percentage instances for people with health issues.
With increased donors’ interest in the theme of education, population from the local
communities have seen raise of the percentage of instances for as much as 12.5%
and are second ranked in 2017.
The range of other supported beneficiary groups practically remained the same with
addition of LGBT population.

17. Based on analysis of data related to the use of donation, we can conclude that one-off support
is still the most preferred type of donors’ support in Macedonia, with 47.5% of instances
given in this form (supplies, medical treatments of individuals, humanitarian support and
individual housing). In comparison with 2016 this represents decrease, but it is also very
important to note the increase of support that may produce long-term effects (strategic
investments in equpment, scholarships, services and capital investments), with now rasied
36.5% of total recorded instances. This shows very posivite fact that donors are becoming
more aware of the importance of strategic support. As for the long-term support form the
corporate sector, this year there is a drop of instances coming in this form from companies
and corporate foundations (57.8% compared to 66.1% in 2016).
Use of Donations
Use of
Donations in 2017
36.5%
47.5%
15.9%
Long-Term
Support
One-Off
Support Unknown
2015 2016 2017
18.0%
54.6%
27.4%
31.5%
51.6%
16.9%
36.5%
47.5%
15.9%
% of Instances
Long-Term Support
One-Off Support
Unknown

18. Examples of
Long-term Support
Honoring International Day of Persons with Disabilities (December 3) Stopanska
banka AD Skopje launched the program for support to nonprofit organizations
providing various services for children with disabilities. Seven CSO were awarded
with grants that provide them with needed equipment or support to implementation
of various educational and social services. Total amount for all grants was almost
EUR 15,000.
In order to provide better schooling conditions for children the corporation Philip
Morris Tutunski kombinat Prilep donated funds for school equipment, new windows,
doors and floors, as well as funds for renovation and painting of walls at the
elementary school Kole Nedelkovski in Centar municipality in Skopje. Total value
of donation was EUR 52,100.

19. Methodology
The methodology for this report was inevitably conditioned by the viable options
for collecting data. Research on this topic worldwide shows that the only completely
reliable source of information on level of giving for charitable purposes is collected by
tax authorities. For many reasons it was not possible to use this source of information
in any of Western Balkans countries. As mentioned previously, Catalyst has opted
for alternative ways of collecting data, using primarily media data as well as other
available data sources. Concretely, the data used as the basis for this report was
gathered by monitoring the electronic, printed and on-line media on the local,
regional and national levels in the period from January 1 through December 31, 2017.
There are three key limitations to this methodology. First, this method does not
provide comprehensive data because the media does not report on all charitable
instances and giving. Second, media reports often do not provide all data of
importance in following the development of philanthropy (most often the media
does not publish the amount donated and/or collected). Third, there is a potential
limitation in the credibility of data published by the media. The first limitation cannot
be overcome at this time. Where the second and third limitations are concerned,
Catalyst seeks to overcome them by cross-analyzing various media, and then
conducting additional research, for example by checking the reporting by companies’
and nonprofit organizations (if available to the public).
Our figure, although not comprehensive, provides a minimum value of relevant
indicators. Hence, this data may be used as indicators of the minimal degree of
philanthropy development in a specific country.
Continued observation will show a rise and/or drop in numbers and change in data
related to our selected indicators. Therefore, continued monitoring over years will
point out trends in philanthropy development as well as trends in media reporting
on the subject. To conclude, under current conditions, we are of the opinion that
the methodology allows for preliminary insight into philanthropy in Macedonia.

20. The 2017 Annual Report on the State of Philanthropy in Macedonia – Quick facts is part of
a broader initiative to promote and stimulate philanthropy in the region carried out by the
Catalyst Foundation. The underlying research and this publication were created by Catalyst
Foundation (Catalyst Balkans) and with the generous support of the C. S. Mott Foundation
and Balkan Trust for Democracy (BTD).
Opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily those of the Balkan Trust for Democracy,
the German Marshall Fund of the United States, or its partners.
Research conducted by
In partnership with
Research supported by
Prepared by
Zorka Kovačević
Jelena Bekčić
Edited by
Aleksandra Vesić
FOUNDATION CATALYST
Takovska 38, 11000 Beograd, Serbia
catalystbalkans.org
givingbalkans.org
Belgrade, 2018