Guangzhou “frees” fundraisers

The Standing Committee of the Guangzhou Municipality People’s Congress passed “Guangzhou Municipality’s Fundraising Regulations” that expands fundraising activities for all social organizations and public institutions engaged in the charitable or “public welfare” field within Guangzhou. In other parts of China, only the Chinese Red Cross and public fundraising foundations are authorized to engage in public fundraising. Other categories of social organizations are not allowed to publicly fundraise even for charitable purposes. The new Guangzhou regulations loosen the restrictions on fundraising for social organizations. Together with Guangdong province’s recent reforms relaxing the registration requirements for social organizations, this regulation is another sign of Guangdong taking the lead in creating a more hospitable environment for social organizations.