2010 was a historic year for MSF in terms of private support. Income in 2010 was $43 million, the most ever for MSF Canada, and an 87 per cent increase over the previous year. Close to 70,000 of the more than 160,000 of those who made a gift to MSF in 2010 were new supporters. 40,000 made monthly contributions through the Partners Without Borders program, providing MSF with a stable base of undesignated support to respond to needs quickly without launching special appeals.

Hundreds of individuals and community groups hosted fundraising events for MSF, raising more than $2.2 million. Legacies from 45 estates accounted for an additional $1.5 million. Through the Beyond Miles program, Aeroplan and hundreds of individual Canadians donated a total of over 18 million Miles to MSF to use for international and domestic travel.

The steep increase in private revenue in 2010 was largely attributable to the generous outpouring of support from donors following the Haiti earthquake. Thirty-two per cent of private funds ($13.7 million) were designated for relief efforts in that country; all these designated donations were spent within the year. Sixty-five per cent ($28 million) was donated to the MSF Emergency Fund, used by MSF to respond to where the needs were greatest. The remaining 3 per cent ($1.1 million) was donated to assist populations affected by the flooding in Pakistan, the nutritional crisis in Niger, violence in Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia, and the AIDS epidemic in Zimbabwe. For a full breakdown of how donors' funds were used, click here.

In 2010, MSF Canada continued to strategically invest in building long-term, stable support through the Partners Without Borders monthly giving program. Major fundraising activities included engaging with donors in person, by mail, phone, email and street canvassing and reporting on our work through Dispatches, News from the Frontline, and our e-newsletter.

In 2011, MSF Canada aims to raise $31 million in private support to meet increasing and urgent medical humanitarian needs in 16 countries and respond to emergencies when they arise. This goal represents an increase of 7 per cent over the non-Haiti earmarked funding received in 2010; to meet it, MSF must continue to build monthly donor support, renew existing donors and attract new supporters by communicating not only the needs, but also the important impact their contributions can make in relieving human suffering.