Research shows benefits of (charitable) material aid in Russia
94% of Russians say that material aid allows them to reduce their household budgets
30.07.2025
Article published on the asi.org.ru website
These were the findings from a recent study conducted by the Second Breath Foundation and the Laboratory of Social Research and Analytics, Ver.Sia Lab.
The organisations jointly researched the social impact of material aid. Sociologists conducted 17 interviews with the Foundation’s partners, and surveyed 549 recipients of such support. As the Foundation points out, this is the first study of its kind in Russia.
“Although many organisations, including more than 100 of the Foundation’s partners, already provide material aid, there has been no comprehensive analysis made of its real impact on people’s wellbeing up until now. This research could become the starting point for developing a more informed and effective approach to organising material support,’’ says the Second Breath Foundation.
According to the results of the study, the most in-demand items are:
- Children’s clothing and footwear (60% of respondents);
- Groceries (58%);
- Household chemicals and hygiene products (50%).
Fifty percent of respondents apply for material support once or twice a year, sometimes less often.
Most recipients of material support are large families. Forty-one percent of those surveyed are raising three children, 21% – four or more. Moreover, 51% rate their income as low, and 46% as average.
Impacts and risks
The researchers realise that material support cannot radically change things for its recipients, but that it can “play an important role in preventing a situation from getting worse, while having a small but positive impact’’. Material aid has proven to be especially important to vulnerable social groups.
- 94% of respondents said that material support enables them to make significant savings to their household budgets;
- 78% claimed that such support has enabled them to afford better quality products;
- 50% were able to spend the money they saved on additional needs, like going to a café, trips for the children, or paying for teaching services.
Material aid has also had an impact on recipients’ mental wellbeing and self-worth. The overwhelming majority (85%) of respondents have begun to interact more with those around them, including with other aid recipients. These benefits were particularly noticeable among children.
- 73% of parents said their children have become more confident when socialising with their peers;
- 74% reported that it prevented children from being bullied at school because of their appearance.
The research paid particular attention to potential risks. Two widespread myths about material aid can be refuted, namely that it leads to an irresponsible attitude to material things, and that it creates a dependency culture.
According to the study, recipients generally treat items of clothing they receive with care. Cases of items being damaged or discarded were rare, but when it did happen it occurred mainly among marginalised groups. In addition, such support does not replace a family’s own independent efforts, but instead provides a vital means of support during difficult times.
“Material aid is not merely the distribution of unwanted things, but a support system that provides measurable results. When people don’t have to worry about how they are going to live from one day to the next, they can focus on other pressing problems’’, says Natalya Teplinskaya, head of charitable programmes at the Second Breath Foundation.
