How The COVID-19 Pandemic Became The Turning Point For Crowdfunding In India | #WorldHealthDay

Today, as we come across worn social distancing signs on streets or old N95 masks while cleaning the cupboard, it reminds us of an era that now feels like a fever dream, as if from another lifetime. Looking back at the COVID-19 Pandemic 5 years later, the lockdown era filled with Zoom meetings in pajamas, endless Dalgona coffees and eerily silent streets almost feels bizarre.

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2020 was a bittersweet year for all of us. On one hand, we enjoyed attending work or school from the comfort of our homes and finally having the time to indulge in our favourite hobbies. However, on the other hand, social isolation and the daily news bringing devastating COVID-19 updates from around the world took a toll on our mental health. 

Ultimately, what the COVID-19 Pandemic helped us realize was the importance of health and community. This 2025, as we observe World Health Day, let’s take the opportunity to take a deep dive into the major global occurrence that was the pandemic and its impact on health awareness among the general population.

Also Read: From Questions to Solutions! A World Health Day Special

World Health Day 2025: The Impact of COVID-19 on Health Awareness

World Health Day is annually celebrated on 7th April to mark the formation of the World Health Organization (WHO). The 2025 theme for World Health Day, ‘Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Future’, resonates deeply when viewed in the context of the impact COVID-19 has had on global health awareness.

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Throughout the pandemic, we witnessed a significant shift in the way health and well-being were viewed in society. COVID-19 was a pivotal wake-up call for the world, highlighting the vulnerabilities of our daily lifestyle. As masks and sanitizers became the new buzzwords, many used this opportunity to initiate their own healthy beginnings with increased awareness about hygiene, nutrition and physical activity and made better-informed health choices.

Additionally, going through such unprecedented times together also helped us value the true power of community. 

Also Read: Lessons Learned from the COVID-19 Pandemic

How the Pandemic Brought the Community Together

The COVID-19 lockdown brought about feelings of loneliness, isolation and despair, even triggering acute mental health issues among many. Many people lost their livelihoods, faced shortages of essential supplies, and could not migrate to their hometowns, creating a time of global uncertainty.

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These challenges garnered a sense of community as people selflessly stepped up for one another.  Keeping social restrictions in mind, relatives, neighbours and friends helped each other out in any way they could, and people became more empathetic and socially aware.

For us at ImpactGuru, we experienced a significant turning point in online crowdfunding, as many turned to our platform not just for financial support but as a way to rally community support for causes that mattered deeply to them.

The Rise of Digital Crowdfunding

During the pandemic, the world experienced a radical shift to online spaces, becoming one of the major contributors to the growth of crowdfunding, the practice of raising funds online for a cause. With traditional methods of fundraising becoming inaccessible, digital crowdfunding platforms like ImpactGuru became a saviour for those in need.

Additionally, it became a powerful tool for citizens who wished to make a real difference for those struggling amidst the chaos of the pandemic. According to the India Giving Report, individual donations went up by 43% during the pandemic. At ImpactGuru, we were witness to this display of humanity in action, with fundraising campaigns at an all-time high and donations made every 30 seconds at their peak. 

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Recognizing the impact of online crowdfunding on the community in such a major healthcare crisis, ImpactGuru also introduced its now-renowned 0% platform fee to ensure maximum benefit for those in need. 

ImpactGuru supported crucial fundraisers dedicated to:

1. Supplying PPE kits, masks and other supplies to frontline workers

2. Helping migrant workers safely return to their hometowns

3. Supporting patients suffering from COVID-19 and other critical illnesses with expensive medical bills, ventilator support and much more.

Also Read: Khushboo Jain of ImpactGuru.com on how the platform raised over Rs 15 Cr to help daily wagers and others amid COVID-19

Since crowdfunding proved to be an essential support system for all during the pandemic, its impact has only grown.

The Future of Crowdfunding

As we look to the past, let’s consider what the future holds for crowdfunding in a post-pandemic world. Today, online crowdfunding has not only become more trustworthy but also more accessible and impactful, with more and more people relying on ImpactGuru, India’s leading crowdfunding platform, for funding causes close to their hearts.

The spirit of giving that was amplified during the COVID-19 Pandemic continues to thrive in our communities, leading to further innovation in the crowdfunding realm. Features introduced by ImpactGuru, such as WhatsApp campaign creation and AI storytelling, are geared towards making online fundraising more simplified and accessible.

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This enables more and more people to step forward, share their stories with the world, and easily raise funds. To learn more about the rising impact of fundraising, visit here.

Ultimately, What Has the Pandemic Taught Us?

Five years later, in a post-pandemic world, the effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic still linger. It continues to remind us that while life can be unpredictable, the power of human resilience in the face of adversity remains constant.

We still recall those moments of solidarity with wonder—clapping for our healthcare heroes, singing across balconies together, and above all, the collective will to protect one another. After all, it is this generosity that fueled the rise of crowdfunding, which continues to change lives today.

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As we reminisce, let’s not forget what this era has taught us this World Health Day. Let’s continue to prioritize our health, extend a helping hand where we can, and use the tools at our disposal to create meaningful change. 

This World Health Day, as we recall the powerful impact of community support during the pandemic, let’s work toward keeping that support alive and shaping a future where no one has to face hardship alone.