• From 3 to 11 June, the Red Cross organizes its national collection days.
  • One of the obstacles to collection is the lack of follow-up of the money donated. A 2009 study* showed that this was the most cited reason (87%) by non-donors.
  • Don't panic, at 20 Minutes, we followed the route of a one-euro coin donated to the Red Cross.

The "I do not know what will become of my money" is part of the litany of excuses for not giving associations, alongside the unbeatable "I have no coins on me" and "I have an urgent appointment, I do not have time to stop". According to a 2009 study*, this is the most frequently cited reason (87%). To put an end to this justification and help the quests for donations, more necessary than ever in times of inflation, 20 Minutes inquired about what happens to a euro collected by the French Red Cross. And that's good, the latter organizes its national collection days at the moment, until June 11. Come on, let's go for the adventure of one euro.

We are not going to sell you a long course full of twists and miles. On the contrary, our euro is not going to see many countries. "The money remains and will be redistributed in the community where it was collected," says Rémy Becuwe, president of the Northern Red Cross, knowing that the association is present throughout the territory. To take the example of his community, one euro donated to Dunkirk "will be reinvested in Dunkirk. He does not leave the territory, so that each donor can see concrete actions at home."

80% in "pure social actions"

This short donation circuit also makes it possible to meet the specific expectations of each municipality. "Depending on the zone, one euro will be distributed more in marauding or in food aid, for example." In Lille, the Red Cross wants to relaunch the marauders, so a lot of the money collected (40,000 euros in 2022 at the scale of the northern region, according to Rémy Becuwe) will be invested in this.

One thing is certain, whatever the municipality, "the money will be used for concrete things". As we have seen, it is difficult to determine a precise percentage since each territory distributes the money where it is needed. Nevertheless, Rémy Becuwe estimates that on average, "out of one euro, 80 cents will be used for pure social actions, such as marauding, food aid, French courses for foreigners, and 20 cents for rescue equipment, which is extremely expensive".

Talk about it directly

As you will have understood, "the money from the harvest is used directly to help the poorest, and does not finance our premises or our members, which are managed by internal finances. " This is also why you will not receive any flyers presenting the actions of the Red Cross in your region. "We didn't want the money raised to be used for that," explains Rémy Becuwe.

To find out what your euro(s) will be used for, there are several ways to deepen the subject. First, social networks. "Generally, each community has its different accounts where we explain our actions." Press releases are also sent in case of specific actions, "especially in relation to our aid on Ukrainian refugees". Finally, a little human warmth in this world: "it is of course possible to talk about it directly with one of the members of our association. He will be very happy to tell you what the money you plan to put in the coming months will be used for. That's it, no more excuses.

* Survey conducted online from October 29 to November 3, 2009 among a sample of 2,990 individuals aged 25 and over, from the database of Internet users aged 18 and over accepting to participate in the MediaprismGroup survey program.

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