Charity Organizations in Belgium

Charity Organizations in Belgium

Belgium is home to various charity organizations that play a crucial role in supporting communities and addressing diverse needs. The Sisters of Charity, with a long history of caring for the sick and vulnerable, continue their mission through volunteer work and spiritual support, even as their numbers decline. United Fund for Belgium (UFB) connects donors with impactful social initiatives, promoting solidarity and inclusivity. Kickstart Kids International fosters sustainable development through empowerment projects in Kenya, with support from Belgian donors. Community Help Service (CHS) provides mental health and educational support to English-speaking expatriates, while SENSE Foundation Brussels focuses on environmental and health protection through science and education.

Sisters of Charity

The Sisters of Charity of Our Lady Mother of Mercy have a long history in Belgium, starting with education for blind, deaf, and mute children in Maaseik. Over time, their mission expanded to include care for the sick. Belgium became an independent province in 1961, but the number of sisters has gradually declined. Since April 3, 2024, they have become a region. Though retired, the sisters continue volunteering, helping the diocese, parish, and organizations like Amnesty International. 

Many live in assisted living facilities, while others reside in the St. Catherine Residential and Care Center. Vacant convents were sold, and the regional house in Zonhoven now serves as a hub for meetings and archives. A small staff helps manage the administration and care for the elderly sisters. The sisters continue to fulfill their mission through prayer and presence, embracing the spiritual aspect of aging as outlined in their constitution.

United Fund for Belgium

United Fund for Belgium (UFB) is a non-profit organization founded in 1972 with the mission of supporting vulnerable communities in Belgium by financing charitable projects. Through donations from businesses, organizations, and individuals, UFB redistributes all funds to carefully selected social initiatives that have a tangible impact. Last year, UFB supported 83 projects that are transforming lives across the country, with the help of a dedicated volunteer Allocations Committee. 

Many associations working for social causes lack the resources to connect with donors, and UFB bridges that gap by facilitating contributions to impactful projects. UFB emphasizes the importance of solidarity and calls on supporters to be key partners in this mission, helping to foster an inclusive society. The organization’s continued success depends on collective efforts to support thousands of people in need.

Kickstart Kids International

Kickstart Kids International is a volunteer-run, non-profit, non-governmental organization that empowers local communities to become self-reliant. Its primary goal is to support sustainable development through empowerment initiatives. Kickstart Kids International (UK) has partnered with the King Baudouin Foundation via Transnational Giving Europe to facilitate donations from Belgian supporters towards its projects in Kenya. 

This partnership allows Belgian donors to receive a tax deduction for contributions exceeding €40. The process for making donations and receiving tax benefits is outlined to ensure smooth support for the organization’s work.

Community Help Service (CHS)

Community Help Service (CHS), established in 1971, is a non-profit organization supporting English-speaking expatriates in Belgium. It provides a telephone Helpline, a Mental Health Centre, and Educational Testing Services, offering assistance to those who find it easier to communicate in English rather than the country’s official languages. CHS has developed extensive expertise in offering therapeutic support to expatriates facing a range of challenges. 

CHS serves clients worldwide, offering help during crises, therapy, or testing for children with learning or emotional difficulties. Trained volunteers manage the Helpline, while the Mental Health Centre has a team of professionals including psychologists, psychotherapists, and psychiatrists. By reaching out to CHS, clients take important steps toward adjusting to life in Belgium, and sometimes, one phone call is enough to initiate support or begin long-term therapeutic care.

SENSE Foundation Brussels

SENSE Foundation Brussels, a private foundation established in Belgium in 2019, operates with the motto *Scientia et Education Naturam Sanitatemque Emuniunt* (Science and Education Preserve Nature and Health). 

This reflects the founders’ core belief that science and education play a crucial role in positively influencing environmental protection and health preservation. The foundation is committed to promoting initiatives that align with these principles, emphasizing the importance of knowledge and education in fostering a healthier, more sustainable environment.