A launch ceremony for the Taiyuan volunteer service special foundation takes place in Taiyuan, capital of Shanxi province, Oct 30. [Photo/sxqnb.com.cn]

A special foundation for volunteer services in Taiyuan was launched on Oct 30, making the city the first provincial capital to set up a special fund for volunteer services.

China Volunteer Service Foundation, one of the sponsors, initiated a fundraising platform for the Taiyuan special foundation. Taiyuan Volunteer Service Association and related local government departments and state-owned enterprises, Taiyuan municipal and district governments, local companies and social groups donated more than 6 million yuan ($862,857) at the launch ceremony.

There are over 480,000 registered volunteers and around 3,300 registered voluntary service organizations in Taiyuan.

The founding of the special foundation means that Taiyuan can raise funds nationwide for supporting local volunteer services and carry out fund-raising activities on websites with online fund-raising qualifications approved by the Ministry of Civil Affairs, such as Alibaba Foundation and Ant Love.

Established in 2009, China Volunteer Service Foundation is the only national public fund-raising foundation for the volunteer service sector. It is responsible for raising funds, subsidizing volunteer service activities, organizing and supporting voluntary work across China.

A branch of China Volunteer Service Foundation, the special foundation will greatly expand the channels for volunteering service fund-raising and facilitate the volunteering service development in the city. All funds raised through the foundation will be used to support local volunteering programs including caring for left-behind children and senior residents and legal aid.