The American Fund for Charities
c/o Chapel & York Limited
PMB #293
601 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.,
Suite 900, South Building,
Washington, DC 20004, USA.
Quick links to information:
About the American Fund International Program
How the American Fund works for donors
How the American Fund works for Charitable Organizations
ABOUT THE AMERICAN FUND INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM
The American Fund for Charities is a US non-profit organization, which supports the work of charitable organizations throughout the world. It operates a program for charitable organizations to make themselves known to potential funders, particularly within the US philanthropic community. It also acts as the American partner or support for organizations fundraising from individual Americans, US foundations, trusts or companies.
Information Dissemination
Alerting potential funders to your work is a crucial aspect of the American Fund for Charities’ work. We send out a quarterly email newsletter to the US philanthropic community in which we highlight particular organization and their work. We also review potential charitable organizations to ensure they are legally appropriate to receive funds from US donors.
Fundraising
The American Fund for Charities partners with and supports organizations in their US fundraising efforts. Joint efforts will help to make fundraising successful. Americans prefer to support organizations that demonstrate US involvement, and the American Fund can receive donations from US taxpayers which are deductible for US tax purposes.
HOW THE AMERICAN FUND WORKS FOR DONORS
If you have been approached by an organization which is an Associate of the American Fund for Charities, it means that we have agreed to support it in its fundraising efforts in the United States. It also means that we have reviewed its activities and formation materials to ensure it is suitable to receive donations from a US public charity. We do not however, make any warranties or judgements as to the value of this work or the capability of the organization to perform the activities it says it will perform.
If you would like to make a donation to an Associate of the American Fund for Charities it will be tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. We would also be pleased for you to nominate an Associate to receive a grant from the American Fund. Under US law you are not entitled to require us to use the funds for any particular organization or you will lose your tax-deduction. However, although we make no promises, we endeavor to follow such nominations if possible.
If you are a foundation we would also be pleased to accept a donation from you. Of course you will not need a tax-deduction.
The American Fund will send each donor the receipt they require for US tax purposes.
Donation form available online - Click Here
Administrative Costs
The American Fund aims to give to charitable organizations at least 90% or more of donations over $250, retaining funds sufficient to cover its administrative and program costs. The Board of Directors of the American Fund has determined that one way of ensuring that this target is met is to retain a percentage of each donation it receives and apply it towards its operational costs. The Board has determined that at this time it will retain a minimum of $50 from each gift received, 7.5% of the next $10,000 and 5% of the next $90,000 and 2.5% of the remainder, with a maximum of $10,000. The Board of the American Fund will review this from time to time.
The American Fund does not guarantee the management or operations of any organization it approves or to which it makes grants. It undertakes all reasonable steps to review information about organizations, but other entities should not rely upon such review but should conduct their own due diligence.
HOW THE AMERICAN FUND WORKS FOR CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS
What every non-US charity needs to know
Every charity outside the US that wants to fundraise from US individuals, trusts and foundations or companies must ensure that it has a 501(c)(3) that supports it. This can be done either by setting up its own 501(c)(3), often called American Friends of [the non-US charity] or by using a 501(c)(3) such as the American Fund for Charities which is willing to support the organization outside the US.
Any charitable organization outside the US that wishes to partner with the American Fund for Charities must apply to be an Associate of the American Fund’s International Program by submitting an Application Form with the information that is requested. Potential Associates are reviewed by the Board of Directors to ensure they meet the requirements of US law as recipients of US funds. Only those which meet these criteria will be accepted.
If your organization is accepted as an Associate of the American Fund, you may advise potential donors that the American Funds for Charities is supporting your work and that they may make a donation to the American Fund and nominate your organization to receive a grant from the Fund made possible by their donations. We will ask the donor to complete a Donation Form and return it with their donation to the American Fund. According to US law, donors are not able to require the American Fund to use their donations in any particular way; hence the ability to nominate a charity only. However, the Board of Directors takes nominations very seriously when awarding grants and, whilst they do not have to do so, will try to honor such nominations if possible.
The Board of Directors normally meet bi-monthly to award grants based on funds received up to the 15th of the previous month.
We are here to help you….
Regular Smaller Donations and Special Appeals
We know that all donations are very gratefully received by our Associates. So if you receive Regular Smaller Donations or you are planning an appeal please contact the American Fund Administrator as soon as possible, because we have a program to help you. It can be tailored around your charitable organization’s particular needs. NOTHING TO SIGN AND NO SET UP FEE.
Fundraising
We are often approached about fundraising. The American Fund doesn’t fundraise but our management company, Chapel & York offers a comprehensive fundraising consultancy and we suggest you contact them for advice.
Email research@chapel-york.com
Administrative Costs
The American Fund aims to give to charitable organizations at least 90% or more of donations over $250, retaining funds sufficient to cover its administrative and program costs. The Board of Directors of the American Fund has determined that one way of ensuring that this target is met is to retain a percentage of each donation it receives and apply it towards its operational costs. The Board has determined that at this time it will retain a minimum of $50 from each gift received, 7.5% of the next $10,000 and 5% of the next $90,000 and 2.5% of the remainder, with a maximum of $10,000. The Board of the American Fund will review this from time to time.
In order to become an Associate you will be required to complete the application from. A fee of $250 is required.
Application for grant Eligibility available online - Click Here
The American Fund does not guarantee the management or operations of any organization it approves or to which it makes grants. It undertakes all reasonable steps to review information about organizations, but other entities should not rely upon such review but should conduct their own due diligence.
To obtain more information please email us HERE
