International Fundraiser FAQ

What is an International Fundraiser?

Are you interested in running a fundraiser to support a project in your future/past GVN Volunteer program? The GVN Foundation can help you reach your desired fundraising goal by setting up a GVN Foundation webpage which will include a summary of your specific fundraising project, pictures, and a link for donors to contribute to your cause using the GVN Foundation's secure online payment partner, WorldPay. The GVN Foundation will collect money on your behalf to be distributed to the partner organization on a quarterly basis.

How is the money distributed?

For Fundraisers that raise less then $5000, GVN Foundation will pass 100% of the money collected on your behalf along to the partner (minus wire or WorldPay transaction fees).

In the case of fundraisers that aim to raise over $5000, or for fundraisers which start on a smaller scale but continue to grow over the $5000 mark, a GVN Foundation staff member will discuss different distribution options. In the case of larger grants which require additional time and resources, the GVN Foundation may deem it necessary to keep a small percentage of the funds to cover the cost of administration,. This will be decided on a case by case basis.

While GVN Foundation will not take an administrative fee if your international fundraiser is less than $5000, our partners are entitled to use 10% of funds raised for the administration of all grants. Partner's are responsible for ensuring all funds are distributed properly (which is often times much more time and resource intensive in the developing world) and for providing GVN Foundation with grant reports. These functions take precious time and therefore, our partners must be reimbursed. This 10% administration fee will contribute to the sustainability of our partners and enable them to continue their amazing work.

What types of International Fundraisers have been run in the past?

Examples of past International Fundraisers include raising funds to help with the running costs of Children's Homes in Nepal, collecting money to build water wells in Africa, and raising money to pay teacher salaries in Uganda, to name a few.

Who can I run an International Fundraiser for?

You can run an international fundraiser for those organizations GVN Foundation currently partners with. Please note that GVN Foundation does not partner with all, or the same, organizations GVN partners with.

For a comprehensive list of our partners please go to http://www.gvnfoundation.org/programs/projects/.

What are the terms and conditions for setting up a GVN Foundation International Fundraiser?

The following guidelines apply to all International Fundraisers:

The amount to be raised must meet or exceed US $500.
The project in question must first be approved by the partner organization before money can be collected on your behalf.
Funds will be wired and distributed to the partner organization on a quarterly basis or on a mutually agreed upon schedule. The financial quarters fall in the months of December, March, June, and September.
Partner organizations are entitled to a 10% administration fee for providing the service of distributing and monitoring international fundraiser funds.
In the event of fundraisers over $5000, the GVN Foundation may deem it necessary to charge an administration fee to cover the resources and time necessary to administer and monitor larger grants.
It should also be understood that in the event the partner in question has a greater need, or the reason the funds were raised through the international fundraiser no longer exists, GVN Foundation and the partner in question will determine the allocation of funds.
Once distributed, funds become the possession of the partner organization to be used, in good faith, towards the agreed upon project. Once a fundraiser has been set up and guidelines are agreed upon by all parties, the money raised becomes the responsibility the GVN Foundation and the partner, and you will no longer have personal access to the funds. Proposals, fund distribution (both by GVN Foundation and on the ground by our partners) and reports will be managed exclusively by GVN Foundation and the partner in question. International fundraisers/volunteers will not be allowed to distribute funds themselves. However, reports and updates on the funds will be readily available for you to chart progress of your fundraising project.

What are some other important things I need to know before I set up an International Fundraiser?

Fund Distribution

The GVN Foundation transfers funds to our partner projects on a quarterly basis on the last day of the month in December, March, June and September.

Prior to setting up a fundraiser, it should be fully understood that money raised through the GVN Foundation will not be available for immediate transfer to our partner organizations. Money raised through International Fundraisers should be for the purpose of fulfilling longer-term fundraising goals, as it takes up to several months for donations to fully process into the appropriate accounts. Because of such restrictions, money raised through the GVN Foundation will be available for transfer to the project partner between 3-6 months after the date the donation is made.

Tracking Your Donors

The GVN Foundation will supply you with a comprehensive spreadsheet of who has donated on your behalf when each transfer to our partner is made. This spreadsheet will only be inclusive of those people who have donated up to the 1st of the month in December, March, June and September, and those donations made after the 1st will be included in the next quarterly transfer. Unfortunately, The GVN Foundation is unable to track and supply you with the names of your donors on a weekly or monthly basis.

WorldPay will automatically send donors a thank you message when a donation has been made. The GVN Foundation will supply your donor with a thank you letter along with a tax receipt at the end of each financial quarter. If you wish to thank your donors personally, it will be your responsibility to track who has made donations on your behalf, as the GVN Foundation will only be able to supply you with a donor spreadsheet at the end of each Quarter, as is outlined above. Due to privacy regulations, the GVN Foundation is unable to supply you with the email or physical addresses of your donors.

Tax Deductions and Receipts:

The GVN Foundation is a registered 501 (c)(3) non profit organization in the United States, therefore all donations made by US donors will be tax deductible. If you are a US citizen, you will receive a tax receipt in the mail. If you are a non US citizen, you will be issued an online receipt to your email address. Depending on your countries tax laws, you may be able to use this receipt as a tax write off.

Tax receipts will only be issued for payments made online or by check to the individual listed on the check. Tax receipts will not be issued to individuals making cash donations.

It should also be understood that in the event the partner in question has a greater need, or the reason the funds were raised through the international fundraiser no longer exists, GVN Foundation and the partner in question will determine where the funds from the international fundraiser will go.

My project meets the criteria and I understand all the points listed above, what's my next step to set up a fundraiser?

Please fill out the form below to register your interest in starting an International Fundraiser. The Sponsorship Coordinator will request approval for your fundraiser from the partner organization in question and get back with you as soon as possible.

If your fundraiser is approved, you will need to supply the GVN Foundation with the following so that they may set up a webpage on your behalf:

A short, 1-2 paragraph summary of your fundraiser.
2-3 pictures to accompany your summary on your project webpage.
Terms and conditions waiver (located here).