SINGAPORE, April 24 — Singapore-based fundraising platform Give.Asia had already raised RM715,272 for a Malaysian family whose toddler is suffering from a rare disease, when it announced in a Facebook post on April 14 that it would return all funds raised back to the donors.
SMA type 2 is a genetic neuromuscular disorder that affects the nerve cells that control voluntary muscles. While there is currently no known cure for it, the amount raised would allow Reese to receive Zolgensma gene therapy, the treatment she requires before turning age two. Some donors said that they felt it would be unfair for the fundraisers to bear the Facebook advertisement charges for the campaign, while some companies also requested to donate via a bank transfer or cheques — a mode of donation which was required for tax exemption and which Give.Asia’s platform was unable to offer.
As OHC was unable to provide these documents, Give.Asia maintained that it could not transfer the funds to the charity. “As the necessary documents from OHC were still pending at this point, the donations were unable to be transferred,” it said. “Upon obtaining such advices, we will take the necessary steps to ensure Baby Reese’s campaign achieves its purpose without any abuse or misconduct, as well as to make sure the kind assistance from the donors and OHC do not go wasted.”There is no legislation surrounding donation-based crowdfunding for private causes, but many platforms including Give.Asia have voluntarily subscribed to Singapore’s Code of Practice for Online Charitable Fund-Raising Appeals.
Mr David Chee, a partner at law firm WongPartnership, said that if the money was transferred to OHC and it does not eventually go to the hospital, Give.Asia could be held liable.