Our Approach
Each year, we run several door-to-door fundraising appeals. Our volunteers fundraise in a city for six weeks, giving people they meet the chance to learn more about Karuna’s work in India, Nepal, and Bangladesh. If they feel moved, they will be asked to support with a regular gift.
Unlike other charities, Karuna’s fundraising approach is motivated by Buddhist ethics. We do not pressure people into giving. Instead, we give time and space to people, allowing them to make a considered, conscious choice to donate.
During an appeal, our volunteers live in the same city and spend a lot of time training together and connecting as a team, receiving training from professional fundraising team leaders. Some appeals are residential, where volunteers live in shared accomodation, eating and meditating together 5 days a week, while others are non residential, where volunteers come together for training sessions a few times a week. In both cases, volunteers go out and connect with people on the doors for around 4 hours 5 times a week. The structure and atmosphere of an Appeal is a combination of Team-Based Right Livelihood and retreat conditions with a programme of practice underpinned by a Buddhist perspective.
What happens on an Appeal?
In the summer of 2014, a team of women spent six weeks knocking on doors in Manchester, UK to raise money for Karuna, helping some of the poorest people in India and Nepal.
By working with their own obstacles to better develop openness and responsivity, they were able to encourage hundreds of new donors to give regularly to Karuna, creating benefit for thousands of people in South Asia – all while changing themselves in a positive way in the process.
If you don’t feel you are able to give this level of commitment at this time then maybe you would consider volunteering for one of Telephone Appeals?
Find out about the financial support we offer and other frequently asked questions.
This has been the most significant developmental experience since my ordination 27 years ago! I’ve experienced interconnectedness like never before.
Stories From the Doors
2025 Appeal Dates
Mixed Appeals
Spring: 12th April – 24th May ( Residential)
Summer: 26th July – 6th Sept (Residential)
Autumn: 13th Sept – 25th Oct ( Residential )
Our Trainers
Sanghanath
Why I love appeals. I love appeals simply because it connects me to where I come from and it pushes me to think about how I can be an agent for social change in the world. Doing appeals have changed me more than anything else in last few years.
Favourite Project: Karuna Hostels
Next to my village in India, there is a hostel for disadvantaged children which I have seen in action since I was a boy. It was one of the first places that I realised how much you can truly help others. Whenever I visit this project, I feel tremendous gratitude and love for Karuna.
sanghamani
Why I love appeals. I love appeals simply because it connects me to where I come from and it pushes me to think about how I can be an agent for social change in the world. Doing appeals have changed me more than anything else in last few years.
Favourite Project: Karuna Hostels
Next to my village in India, there is a hostel for disadvantaged children which I have seen in action since I was a boy. It was one of the first places that I realised how much you can truly help others. Whenever I visit this project, I feel tremendous gratitude and love for Karuna.
Would you like to speak to us about doing an appeal?
the nuts and bolts
All the essential need to know information
Financial Support
Karuna provides a realistic support package to residents of the UK and Ireland. This is designed to cover your basic living expenditure. We also offer a similar support package to overseas volunteers.
UK AND IRELAND PACKAGE
Up to £250 per week to cover rent and bills whilst on the appeal. This includes a £70 per week allowance (from which one makes a contribution to the appeal food kitty). In addition we will cover your travel to and from the appeal up to £100 if you have to make a journey to the appeal location.
RETREAT ALLOWANCE
On completion of the appeal, we offer a 7-day retreat allowance (up to £280) for use in any Triratna retreat centre.
FAQs
I could never do that – I hate asking people for money!
This is a concern for a lot of people coming on Appeal and responses to it are explored through the training. Asking for money can bring up issues around our own worth and fears of rejection. Within the context of having built up some rapport with the householder and having given them a booklet to read about Karuna, you will learn how to mention money in such a way as to give the householder a free choice.
I don’t know anything about India or Karuna’s work over there
That’s OK. When you meet a householder you give them a booklet which describes the projects Karuna funds in India, so you don’t need to know a huge amount. Fundraising is about the connection made between you and the householder. The connection happens because of who you are rather than what you know. However, obviously it does help if you know something! It’s a good idea to read a bit before you come on the Appeal (we suggest Ambedkar and Buddhism by Sangharakshita and But Little Dust by Padmasuri). Throughout the Appeal there will be opportunities to learn about the projects through a slideshow, videos, books and discussion. As you learn more and deepen your connection with Karuna’s work, your passion and inspiration will come across to the householders, in turn inspiring them to support Karuna.
Will you cover my rent and bills at home whilst I’m on the appeal?
Karuna provides a realistic support package to residents of the UK and Ireland. This is designed to cover your basic living expenditure. We also offer a similar support package to overseas volunteers (See Financial Support).
Will I be able to go away for weekends during the Appeal?
Most weekends are free and so there is the possibility of going away for a weekend. The recommendation is that you don’t leave for more than 2 weekends during the Appeal. Doing an Appeal is a somewhat ‘full-on’ experience and you will most likely want to chill-out on the weekends with the community. Also, the fundraising rests on the ‘retreat-like’ atmosphere creating a ‘going-deeper’ experience, and too many trips away will dilute this.
Will I be safe on the streets?
We take fundraisers’ safety very seriously and have a policy and several processes in place to help fundraisers to stay safe. We choose our fundraising areas carefully and ensure that Appeal leaders are aware of fundraiser’s whereabouts and have ways to stay in contact.
If your question is not answered here, please get in touch.
