Successful Management and Control of Panhandling in a Metropolis: A Case Study of Hemaayat-az-mostamandan-eTabriz Non-Profit Organization

The charity organization “Hemaayat- az-mostamandan-e-Tabriz” (which translates to “Supporting the Needy of Tabriz” in English) in Tabriz is the city’s main charity organization which was established in 1972, aiming at stopping panhandling and helping the genuinely in-need families and thus far has covered thousands of poor families. The question is how this organization has managed to control panhandling in this metropolitan area. To answer this, a qualitative case study was performed and data was gathered through observation, interview of 20 of personnel or help-seekers and by investigating the records and documents. Applying thematic analysis, 10 following main characteristic items of the performance of the organization were identified: informing public, fighting stereotypes, economic and social support, avoiding direct financial aid, management structure of the organization, finding jobs, contentious monitoring, providing the personnel, structural understanding of panhandling, and reestablishment of cultural and religious activities. The results show that these items play a significant role in the success of this charity organization and in giving Tabriz the nickname “the metropolis without beggars”.