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FAQs
1. How does the Foundation work with NGO
partners in India?
The Foundation
makes careful selection of the projects and the non-profit partners
working at the grassroots level and provides financial assistance
and technical support through linkages. The progress of the projects
is monitored periodically and on the basis of satisfactory progress
future installments are disbursed.
2. What proportion of funds raised
actually reaches to the NGOs?
Today, 95% of the funds raised reach to the NGO
partners for various projects and activities undertaken by them.
Only 5% of the total funds raised are spent on administrative and
fund raising costs. This 5% amount is deducted as administrative
cost from the donations received.
3. How can I support the work of the
Foundation?
You can support the
Foundation.s work by donating for various causes, projects, and also
by contributing to the endowment fund. You can also organize events,
awareness meetings, and fund raisers in your area. The contributions
to MF are exempt from tax under the IRS rules. Please send your
check in favor of:
Maharashtra Foundation and
mail it to:
Maharashtra Foundation
P.O.Box
2287
Church Street Station
New York NY 10008
The tax exemption receipt is sent immediately
and the donor is also periodically informed about how the funds are
being utilized.
4. What happens to the funds once they are
donated by me?
The funds received
are immediately deposited in the Foundation's bank account. If the
donor has identified the cause for which the funds should go, the
funds are assigned to the appropriate cause / project. Such
disbursements are made once in a month. If the donor wants the
Foundation to use its discretion to choose the appropriate cause,
the Foundation reviews the funding need of the ongoing projects or
the future projects of the NGOs, and the amount is allocated for
that purpose. In respect of the Foundation sponsored projects, the
funds are disbursed is installments in order to ensure their
accountability. The future installments are disbursed on receipt of
the progress report of the project activities. The partner
organizations are encouraged to share their difficulties and
achievements at pre determined intervals. The Foundation also
assists the NGOs by providing linkages, net work opportunities, and
technical assistance. The Foundation deducts 5% amount from all the
donations received to meet the administrative costs.
5.What types of projects are supported by
the Foundation?
Projects and
activities in Education, Health, Economic Empowerment, Environment,
and Women.s Empowerment are supported by the Foundation. The
Foundation also gets involved in emergency relief and assistance
work whenever natural disasters strike in India as well as the
United State. One-Village-One-Computer (IT for Social Change),
Bharat Vaidya (Barefoot Doctors), Child Sponsorship, Annual Awards
for Progressive Literature and Social Services are some of
Foundation's flagship projects. In the United States, Foundation has
extended support to programs such as Meals on the Wheels, MAYTRIN
(Empowerment through dialogue), and the Carter
Foundation.
6. Does the Foundation work only in
Maharashtra?
Though the
concentration of Foundation's work is in Maharashtra State, it has
been supporting projects in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka,
Kerla, Tamilnadu, West Bengal and the United States.
7. What are the Foundation's achievements
so far?
Founded in 1978 by
like-minded Maharashtrians, the Foundation has so far provided
assistance worth $ 8 million contributed by more than 1000 generous
donors. About 400 non-profit organizations in India are supported by
the Foundation.
8.How does one seek funding support from
the Maharashtra Foundation?
NGOs
with good track record of performance and transparent financial
management are encouraged to submit their project proposals for
receiving funding from the Maharashtra Foundation. The proposals are
received and reviewed by the Foundation round the year. The over all
goal of the proposed projects / activities should be .enhancement in
the quality of life of the poor and vulnerable people. and the
solutions proposed in the proposal should make a long term impact in
addressing the challenge of poverty. NGOs seeking assistance should
summit the NGO Profile form (available on the Foundation.s website)
and attach a brief (not more than 4 typed pages) proposal along with
a budget (one page). If the proposal meets the Foundation's
selection criteria (current program focus and legal requirements)
the NGO is requested to send additional information required, if
any. Within a reasonable period of time the NGO is informed about
the outcome. The proposals are received and processed throughout the
year. The fund allocations are made once in a year, usually in
January. A memorandum of understanding is signed with the NGO and
the funds are disbursed in installments. Periodic progress reports
are expected from the NGO and the future disbursements are
contingent upon satisfactory progress report. The NGO is encouraged
to share difficulties, if any, in achieving the expected outcomes to
ensure openness and mutual understanding. Please visit Foundation's
website (www.maharashtrafoundation.org)
to learn more about the procedure for requesting funding from
Maharashtra Foundation.
The NGO Profile form is also available on the
website. The Foundation prefers and encourages electronic
communication. All the communications should be addressed to: arundhativinod@gmail.com
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