Fundraising: Donation revenue remains stable

Private individuals and institutions contribute substantially to the sustainable development of the Swiss registry of blood stem cell donors. Donations in 2024 totalled CHF 1,380,765.

As its mandate from the Swiss government does not provide for funding for the registration of new donors, Swiss Transfusion SRC has to raise the money to pay for this itself. The necessary outlay is largely covered by donations from private and institutional donors.
In 2024, donations from private and institutional donors came to a total of CHF 1,380,765, which represents a 4.2 per cent increase compared to the 2023 total (CHF 1,323,451). Private individuals, associations and companies donated 82 per cent of the total amount, the remaining 18 per cent came from institutional donors.

«Swiss Transfusion SRC is able to rely on a stable funding base made up of committed donors who continually support the Swiss Registry of Blood Stem Cell Donors.»

Rita Röthlin, Donor Services Officer

Increasing support through benefactor agreements

Swiss Transfusion SRC relies on a stable funding base made up of committed donors who continually support blood stem cell donation. In 2024, these individuals donated a total of CHF 1,125,459 – an increase of four per cent compared to 2023 (CHF 1,080,451).

As of the end of 2024, Swiss Transfusion SRC had 8,395 active benefactor agreements, an increase of 14.7 per cent compared to 2023. The renewal rate for these agreements fell to 70.7 per cent (2023: 87 per cent). The percentage of total fundraising revenue that is derived from benefactor agreements has been increasing steadily: only 13.1 per cent of fundraising revenue was associated with benefactor agreements back in 2020, whereas this figure rose to 42 per cent in 2024 (2023: 36 per cent).

Appeals for financial donations addressed to specific groups (direct marketing) generated CHF 339,321 in 2024 (2023: CHF 338,879). An additional CHF 55,702 came in from individual or event-related donations, such as donations made in connection with a death or birthday or donations made by businesses. The 2023 total in this area was significantly higher (CHF 124,098), as Swiss Transfusion SRC was privileged to receive an unexpected CHF 77,591 in the form of bequests and an inheritance that year. CHF 17,375 in revenue were generated by benefit and charity events held on behalf of blood stem cell donation (2023: CHF 17,265).

Rise in contributions towards registration costs

Newly registering donors contributed a total of CHF 139,549 in 2024, putting this figure higher than the previous year’s total (CHF 119,206). The increase is due to the greater number of newly registering donors, many of whom made a financial contribution. The percentage of newly registering donors who contributed remained stable, at 17.6 per cent (2023: 17.1 per cent). The average amount of the contribution dropped slightly once again, bringing it down to CHF 74.30 (2023: CHF 82.22). Younger donors who have not completed their education/training, in particular, have fewer financial resources.

Foundations and lottery funds loyally support the registry

Income from institutional fundraising, which is to say, contributions from foundations, charitable funds and lottery funds, came to a total of CHF 255,306 in 2024 and is thus around five per cent above the 2023 total (CHF 243,000). The money received from the lottery funds contributed to this positive outcome, though these contributions remained below the level of past years. Foundations are increasingly being confronted with growing numbers of funding requests. Nonetheless, foundations in Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein provide reliable and continuous support for the long-term growth of the registry of blood stem cell donors – and in doing so are making a key contribution towards safeguarding the future of the Swiss registry.

Our sponsors

The blood stem cell donor register can be further expanded thanks to numerous private donations and the effective support of lottery funds and foundations.

We would like to thank all our sponsors for their generous support.