How digital fundraising improves lives from Tanzania to Moldova – the story of the Bavarian Menschen Helfen

Acts of kindness can evolve into powerful movements that make a lasting change and Menschen Helfen e.V. is a shining example. The German organisation has spent decades supporting communities in need – from flooded areas in Kadaikadu, India, to people affected by the ‘90s war in Gornji Vakuf, Bosnia. But, as the world evolves, so has the organisation’s approach. With the help of modern tools like myPOS, they continue to expand their reach and make giving easier than ever.

Building a legacy of kindness in the face of adversity

Menschen Helfen began with a group of young people deeply moved by the plight of those caught in the war that broke out in former Yugoslavia in 1991. They organised aid transports to deliver essential supplies to the war zone. This initial act of compassion led to the association’s formal establishment in 1993 with the aim of creating a structured framework for long-term support of those in need. Throughout the years, the organisation, whose name in English means Helping People, has developed a network of global initiatives addressing various needs of vulnerable communities – from assisting with disaster relief to providing support to kindergartens.

Currently, its primary focus is supporting the St. Mary children’s day care centre in Grigorauca, Moldova where the situation is difficult due to the ongoing conflict in neighbouring Ukraine. Despite the circumstances, the organisation has been able to sustain its impact and continue its mission in the face of adversity through constant dialogue and dynamic adaptation. They fund daily operations, providing children with a safe environment, educational opportunities, and essential resources such as food and heating materials. Menschen Helfen  also supported refugees in Ukraine by providing accommodation, financial support and networking meetings.

The organisation’s chairman, Dr. Robert Roithmeier, sees his motivation in the warmth and gratitude he experiences when travelling to the aid regions. He shares:

“Our help is necessary and important. Giving children their carefree attitude and a chance for a future is true motivation for us all.”

Kulturknall Festival: Celebrating art for a good cause

One of the most distinctive initiatives of Menschen Helfen. is its annual Kulturknall Festival, a charity event that has been a cultural landmark for over 30 years. The festival, known for its dynamic and diverse programme, has been hosted in a range of unique locations, from open-air theatres in parks to music festivals on repurposed military campsites. It features dozens of artists, multiple stages, and thousands of attendees – all contributing to a vibrant atmosphere of solidarity and support for a good cause. The Kulturknall festival is now a centrepiece in southern Germany and is more popular than ever.

“For over 30 years, the Kulturknall festival has been inspiring young and old alike in ever new ways and at ever new locations – and all for a good cause. This has given generations of young artists in the region a stage and at the same time raised important financial support for aid projects,” explains a representative of the organisation.

The festival is entirely volunteer-driven, with over a hundred individuals contributing their time and skills, with artists also performing for free. All proceeds from the festival, along with donations, go directly to the organisation’s aid initiatives.

Enhancing fundraising through digitalisation

Organising such large-scale projects and staying relevant over the years requires adaptability and innovation. That’s where modern technology comes in – in an effort to modernise its fundraising efforts, Menschen Helfen. recently partnered with myPOS. They implemented one of the newest payment solutions – Tap to Pay on iPhone with myPOS Glass, to streamline operations at the latest edition of the Kulturknall festival.

Prior to this, festival-goers could only make donations in cash, which limited the potential for contributions. With the introduction of Tap to Pay on iPhone, attendees at the Kulturknall Festival can now make quick, secure, and convenient donations using all types of digital payment methods. 

The results were immediate and impressive. On the first day of the festival alone, the amount raised surpassed all previous records for the same period. The ease and accessibility of the new payment system encouraged more people to contribute to the association’s noble cause of making the world a better place – one community at a time.

“Help is more important than ever in times of crisis – that’s why Menschen Helfen e.V. embraced digitalisation to reach people easier,” shares a representative of the organisation. “myPOS played a key role in this and was able to simplify transactions at the Kulturknall festival many times over. Previously, people could only pay and donate in cash, but the myPOS app integration has now made it possible to make user-friendly, modern donations.”