According to a government press release from the summer of 2025, almost one in two Austrians over the age of 15 engages in some form of voluntary or charitable work. Data from Statistics Austria indicate that volunteers and nonprofit organizations generate an annual added value of around € 22 billion (source: diepresse.com, 2025).
These figures underline that voluntary engagement is no longer a marginal phenomenon but a cornerstone of social cohesion. It represents lived solidarity, a sense of responsibility, and living proof that community spirit in Austria is not just an ideal but a tangible reality.
MATERIAL AND NON-MATERIAL DONATIONS: TWO FORMS OF THE SAME ATTITUDE
Donating can take many forms. In principle, one distinguishes between material donations (financial support) and non-material donations (volunteering one’s time). Financial contributions are essential — they give organizations scope: to pay rent, plan projects sustainably, and respond quickly in times of crisis. Without adequate funding, even the most passionate initiatives can accomplish little.
Equally important, however, is the non-material contribution — the time, knowledge, and energy people volunteer. Voluntary work fosters social connection, trust, and genuine encounters. It’s the heartbeat of every movement built on solidarity — an essential part of a living democracy.
While money sustains the structure, volunteering brings it to life.
Those who donate share material resources; those who volunteer share time.
THE AUSTRIAN DONATION SEAL OF QUALITY: TRUST AS A FOUNDATION
To ensure that donations reach where they are needed, trust is essential — and that is exactly what the Austrian Donation Seal of Quality stands for. It guarantees transparency, clear standards, and the responsible use of funds. For donors, this means security: their contributions genuinely reach those in need.
HOPE FOR THE FUTURE has held this seal since 2022 and continues to promote transparency and public awareness about its work. Solidarity is not an abstract concept — it becomes concrete when people stand up for one another, regardless of whether they know each other personally.
In this sense, every donation is a small piece of lived democracy: a voluntary contribution to the common good, grounded in trust, compassion, and the conviction that change is possible.
VISIBILITY AND RECOGNITION FOR LONG-TERM COMMITMENT
A significant step toward greater recognition was recently achieved: our chair, Andrea Staudenherz, was interviewed as an expert on the topic of ‘human trafficking’ for a television segment — a key issue our organization has been committed to for over ten years. Together, we strive to help people break free from cycles of violence and exploitation and to open pathways toward self-determined lives.
Andrea’s media presence is more than personal recognition — it shows that the work of HOPE FOR THE FUTURE is seen, valued, and taken seriously. Her appearance reflects professional expertise, lived experience, and the strength of persistent engagement. Such public visibility strengthens awareness for those who have not yet found a way out — and gives our collective work a voice that can be heard.
A PRACTICAL EXAMPLE: HOPE FOR THE FUTURE
How much can be achieved through voluntary commitment and donations? The work of HOPE FOR THE FUTURE makes it clear. In the past year alone 2,041 workshop hours were held in job-preparation training programs. 55 individuals (36 women, 18 men, 1 non-binary person) received direct support. 56 volunteers contributed more than 2,186 hours of voluntary work.
The results are impressive: 14 clients found employment with the association’s support. 8 participants successfully passed their German language exams. 24 public events with sales stands or information booths increased awareness of the organization’s mission. In total, more than €190,300 in donations were raised — an impressive demonstration of how strongly shared commitment and solidarity can work when many small contributions come together.
Those who wish to support this work long-term can become a supporting member of HOPE FOR THE FUTURE. With an annual contribution of €60 , members not only help secure the organization’s ongoing work but also receive a 10% discount in the online store and a small welcome gift. But the true reward is something else entirely: the knowledge of being part of a movement that brings hope and actively shapes the future.
Anyone who wants to stay informed about how hope becomes tangible change can subscribe to our newsletter for regular updates on projects, successes, and stories of transformation.
HOPE, HEART, AND AN ANCHOR POINT
Whether through money, time, or dedication — giving connects . It builds relationships where anonymity might otherwise prevail, and hope where despair threatens. Every donation — large or small, material or non-material — is a contribution to actively shaping a different kind of society: one where exploitation, violence, threats, hatred, and harm are not tabooed but openly addressed and fought against.
Today, more than ever, society needs people who do not ask what they can get , but what they can give — and do so now!
Translated by Julia Matzinger
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