Cross-cultural Perspectives on Cultivating a Culture of Giving as viewed from Japan Paul Tsuchido SHEW, Ph.D.
Dec 14, 2015
Cross-cultural Perspectives on Cultivating a Culture of Giving
as viewed from Japan
Paul Tsuchido SHEW, Ph.D.
Understanding the Culture of Giving in a Cultural
Context
The Fundraising Context in Japan
Fundraising in Japan’s Christian Higher Education
Cultivating Culture in our Schools
Outline
2
JAPAN USA
Individuals 0.04% 1.76%
Corporations 0.10% 0.12%
Total 0.14% 1.88%
Charitable Giving as % of GDP
5
Giving in Japanese Culture Cash gifts for children at the New Year
(otoshidama) Cash gifts at weddings and funerals Seasonal gift exchanges
in summer (chugen) and New Year (seibo) Gift-giving (omiyage) culture
With an expectation of something in return (okaeshi)
Understanding the Culture of Giving in Japan
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Giving as a social or relational obligation Motivated by duty (giri) Motivated by indebtedness (on)
Japanese Buddhist concept of charity is limited
Fundraising is most successful for natural disasters or humanitarian crises Generous donations for domestic & international
needs
Giving as a Social Obligation
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The Fundraising Context in Japan:The social and economic context that shapes
fundraising
Part TWO
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Individual income tax deductions on charitable contributions are minimal Only relatively few organizations qualify (recently changing)
Of approximate 40,000 NPOs, only about 120 are recognized by the National Tax Agency.
Most workers file taxes through their employers, so it is difficult to claim a deduction for charitable contributions
Donations to accredited schools can qualify But separate approval by National Tax Agency is
required
Taxes and Charitable Contributions
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Christians were influential in advocating for the liberalization of income tax deductions
Changes in the Tax Laws
Shigeaki Hinohara,Christian doctor
who advocated tax
reform15
Individual’s income tax deductions are restrictive Restrictions on organizations Deduction restricted to less than 40% of contribution
Example: (¥100,000 gift - ¥2,000) x 40% = ¥39,200 deductionSo with ¥7,000,000 income, result is only ¥5400 tax benefit
Deduction limit up to 25% of income Corporation’s income tax deductions are more liberal
Wider variety of organizations recognized Higher deduction limit
Tax benefit for corporate gifts. Less for individuals.
Taxes and Charitable Contributions
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Japan
US
Developing/Transitional
Developed
All Countries
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
PhilanthropyGovernmentFees
Comparison of Non-Profit Revenue Sources
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Japan
America
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
IndividualCorporation
Individual vs. Corporate GivingComparison
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Weak giving patterns for non-profit organizations including higher education
Fundraising is relatively new idea Fundraising as a career almost does not exist
Many Japanese are uncomfortable with fundraising Some resent giving as a social obligation Confluence of obligation and generosity
Strong support for school from alumni and parents
The Challenges and Opportunities
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Where does charitable funding come from in your country?
What are the challenges in your culture?
How can you overcome them?
What are the opportunities?20
Fundraising in Japan’s Christian Higher Education
Part THREE
Focusing especially on Aoyama Gakuin
21
Western and especially American influence is important regarding fundraising
Fundraising activities have become the norm for Japanese schools Capital campaigns Student scholarships Special projects
Major universities in Japan have endowments, but still small
Fundraising is part of broader effort to engage alumni
Cultivating a Fundraising Culture in Higher Education
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Fundraising Office Not run by career professionals, but general staff Focus more on accounting than solicitation Grant writing for corporate donors
Multiple Fundraising campaigns Capital campaigns Student scholarships Support organizations
Separate committees organized for capital campaigns
Fundraising Activities at Aoyama Gakuin
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Passive – Provide information and opportunity without being pushy
Non-personal for most donations Personal relationships in Japan connect with social
obligations, which make fundraising uncomfortable. Target individuals
Primarily 1) alumni 2) employees 3) parents Target corporations
Especially companies of alumni
Fundraising Approaches
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¥51,618,000
¥2,420,183
¥185,430,000
IndividualsOrganizationsCorporations
Capital Campaign DonationsHonda Memorial International Conference Hall Building
Fund
$516,000
$24,000
$1,854,000
25
454
14 11
IndividualsOrganizationsCorporations
Number of Donors Honda Memorial International Conference Hall Building
Fund
26
¥37,555,000
¥23,488,656
¥4,560,000
Individuals (193)Organizations (20)Corporations (218)
Student Scholarship DonationsFiscal 2012
$375,500
$235,000
$45,600
27
Over ¥100,000,000 raised in one year from employees
Supports students who lost a family member or home in the earthquake, tsunami or nuclear disaster
Donations primarily from faculty and staff Arranged for employees to deduct donations from
salary
Great East Japan Disaster Victim Student Support Fund
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Alumni are very important Student recruitment Help with sports teams and extra-curricular activities Cheer our sports teams Donate
Alumni association is very important Independent fund raising efforts and office
Public Relations Office connects with alumni
Institutional Loyaltyand Alumni ContributionsOnly small percentage of alumni are
active.But we engage those with interest.
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How do laws in your country influence
fundraising?
Who can give to your school?
Who are your targets for fundraising? (Alumni? Parents? Corporations? Employees?...)
What are your opportunities for
fundraising?(Student scholarships? Special events? Sports teams?)
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Aoyama Gakuin was founded by the Methodist church through many generous donors
Continues to celebrate our heritage of generosity Observe founding anniversary of school (worship) Recognize and remember significant patrons Celebrate alumni who donated to the school
Celebrating a Heritage of Giving
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出来る限り設けよう。出来る限り蓄えよう。出来る限り与えよう。
Gain all you can.Save all you can.Give all you can.
- John Wesley
Celebrating a Heritage of Giving
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School motto: “Salt of the Earth, Light of the World”
Providing education not solely for individual benefit, but to benefit the world as salt and light.
Campus ministry program includes emphasis on charity.
Required courses on Christianity include history of the school and importance of giving in our heritage.
Cultivating a culture of generosity among our alumni starts with our current students.
Christian Ethos and Giving
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“From everyone who has been given much,
much will be demanded; and from the one who has
been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”
Luke 12:48
Methodist values Faith and Spiritual Formation Justice and Social Holiness Service Accessibility: Educating all Emphasis on Reason, Academic Freedom, and
Tolerance Generosity
Cultivating a Culture of GenerosityMethodist Ethos and Identity
To cultivate generous alumni, you need life-changing education. 36
Leaders of Cultural Change Board members President, Chancellor, Principals, Deans and
administrators Chaplains
Influential Agents of Cultural Change Faculty Staff Alumni
Cultivating a Culture of GenerosityCultural Leaders
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What can you do to cultivate
a Culture of Generosity in your school?
What can you do to cultivate
Methodist Culture and Values in your
school?
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