frequently asked questions
1. How did you select the give2change partner projects?
2. What kind of work does give2change support?
3. What safeguards are in place to ensure the money
donated is properly spent and gets to where it’s needed?
4. How will give2change be able to oversee and
monitor a substantial number of projects in different regions of
the world?
5. How will you get the funds to the projects?
6. Can UK projects take part or is it only overseas
organisation that can benefit?
7. Why are the projects only in Latin America?
8. Do the local projects have the technological and
knowledge resources they need to take part (computers, internet,
cameras, etc.)?
9. How will you maintain the system once it’s
built?
10. How will you attract subscribers?
11. Who are give2change?
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1. How did you select the give2change partner projects?
give2change was initially developed whilst working alongside local
NGOs in Central America (Guatemala,
Nicaragua and Mexico).
We spent a lot of time researching the region’s NGO sector
and built relationships with exceptional projects in the region.
Additionally, all partners completed an application form and provided
references, as well as financial and project reports. We visited,
saw the work and met the beneficiaries of all partners.
The selection criteria that all projects must meet are as follows:
-
It was initiated and is run by local people;
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The organisation only works in the country in which it is registered;
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It is constitutionally non-profit making;
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It is efficient and transparent (financial records are available
and demonstrate the organisation is efficiently working towards
achieving its goals)
-
In addition to providing direct services to its beneficiaries,
the organisation also works on a preventative or structural
level to affect long-term change in its particular field.
2. What kind of work does give2change support?
We offer supporters the chance to support a range of projects working
in many different fields of human, social and community development,
including education, health, child protection, human rights, gender
violence, environmental sustainability, agriculture, income generation
and community development.
3. What safeguards are in place to ensure the money donated
is properly spent and gets to where it’s
needed?
All partners will have to provide quarterly financial and work
reports in order to continue participating in the give2change system.
These must demonstrate that the funding acquired through give2change
has been spent according to the previously agreed work plan and
budget.
They will also be required to upload photos, videos and progress
updates related to the work being supported. Members will then be
ale to directly see that their contribution is being spent according
to its stated purpose.
4. How will give2change be able to oversee and monitor
a substantial number of projects in different regions of the world?
Rather than employ a UK-based project officer for each region,
or set up satellite offices in-country, as many larger, international
agencies do, give2change works alongside ‘regional coordinating
partners’ in each of the areas where we support projects.
These are known, trusted and respected local organisations with
many years experience overseeing or implementing development projects
in partnership with international agencies.
These coordinating organisations are independent of any of the
partner projects. They will have the responsibility of monitoring
and overseeing the partner projects within their region. Their responsibilities
will include:
-
Collecting and verifying the necessary financial and project
reports for each project;
-
Sending these project and financial reports to give2change;
-
Visiting each project every quarter to check progress of the
supported project;
-
Produce a monitoring and evaluation report on each project’s
progress;
-
Ensure the work is being carried out according to the previously
agreed plan;
-
Providing organisational support where necessary to assist
the project in achieving its goals;
These coordinating partners will be apportioned 5% of the total
combined budgets of the projects within their region. As in-country
costs are far lower this is a very efficient way of conducting project
monitoring and supervision. Working in partnership like this also
further supports and builds the capacity of the local non-profit
and civil society sector.
5. How will you get the funds to the projects?
Members’ monthly subscriptions will go to the give2change
UK account for their supported project. We will then make quarterly
transfers of the amount owed to each project, according to how many
members are in their group.
These ‘bulk transfers’ save
on bank charges and administration time and give us a point at which
we can monitor project progress and expenditure.
Transfers will be made to project’s on receipt of the previous
quarter’s reports and financial statements.
6. Can UK projects take part or is it only overseas organisation
that can benefit?
Although we recognise that the system could benefit projects in
the UK we have chosen to focus on international projects as we believe
that is where the give2change initiative can is most needed and
can have the most impact.
7. Why are the projects only in Latin America?
The first group of partner projects are all in Central America
because give2change was developed whilst working alongside local
NGOs there.
However, we are looking to develop partnerships with projects in
other parts of the world and would be keen to talk to other UK or
overseas based NGOs about potential collaboration in that area.
8. Do the local projects have the technological and knowledge
resources they need to take part (computers, internet,
cameras, etc.)?
All projects have access to IT equipment, many have internet access.
However, within the development budget for the project we have apportioned
a sum for ensuring that each partner project has everything they
need to be able to effectively take part in and benefit from the
give2change system.
Once the system and the finance are in place we will, where required,
provide each project with a sufficiently high-specification computer,
internet connection and cameras (stills and video) to record and
upload images from the project. We will carry out a development
trip to train each project in how to use and maintain the system.
The local coordinating partners will also be trained in the system,
so they can provide continued technical support where necessary.
9. How will you maintain the system once it’s built?
give2change will generate income to maintain the site and cover
its UK organisational costs through the Gift Aid payment on the
donations received for the overseas projects.
The donations will go overseas and the Gift Aid on those donations
will pay UK costs. Gift Aid is the scheme in which the UK government
gives registered charities an additional 25p on each pound received
from a taxpaying donor (the 25p being the tax already paid on that
donated pound).
10. How will you attract subscribers?
There will be an initial marketing strategy which will target press
coverage and link and receive endorsements from other websites and
organisations - both non-profit and corporate.
When people join a give2community they will be encouraged to send
personalised invitations from the site asking their friends and
contacts to join. This form of ‘viral marketing’,
employed with phenomenal success by other social network sites such
as Facebook
and MySpace,
will enable give2change to access large numbers of subscribers from
a minimal marketing spend.
11. Who are give2change?
Give2Change was developed by project director, Seth Reynolds, whilst
working in Guatemala with local non-profit organisations. Following
a career in documentary production, Seth began working in the non-profit
sector, fundraising and capacity building with community-based charities
in Islington. He developed and secured funding for two new projects
and a youth centre before moving to Guatemala, where he set up a
capacity building project providing training and support for local
NGOs.
give2change is supported by a number of individuals and organisations
on both a formal and informal basis, including Michael Norton’s
Centre for Innovation in Voluntary Action, UnLtd, The Hub, and others.
We have tried to cover most of the thing we normally get asked
about the project.
However, if you have any further questions or would like to discuss
the project with us please get in touch on connect@give2change.org
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