Get Involved - Women for Women International
FAQs
Have questions about how to get involved with Women for Women International? Here you will find all the information you need to make an impact for women survivors of war. Still have questions? Email us at getinvolved@womenforwomen.org.
Click on a heading to expand each section of Frequently Asked Questions.
WfWI / Miscellaneous
What is your tax ID number in the US?
52-183-8756
How are my contributions spent?
We are committed to ensuring that every woman we work with receives the most from your contributions. For more information on Women for Women International's financial information, please see our Annual Report.
If you are a sponsor, you will be asked to provide a direct monthly contribution to Women for Women International. It is also possible to make this contribution in annual or semi-annual lump payments, an option that reduces processing fees so that more funds can be sent directly to your sister's program. Regardless of your payment method, a fixed portion of these funds is channeled straight to your sister so she can provide her family with basic necessities. The remaining amount is used to provide your sister with the rights awareness, leadership education, and vocational skills training that will allow her to support herself and her family after she graduates from the program.
Can I use your logo(s) for my website or printed material?
Please email getinvolved@womenforwomen.org to request a logo file. Please include an explanation of how you plan to use it.
Are you on Facebook or Twitter?
Yes! Join us at facebook.com/womenforwomen or twitter.com/womenforwomen.
How can I ask my employer to match my donation?
Women for Women International does accept employer matching gifts and encourages you to increase your donation by taking advantage of your employer's matching gift program. Matching gifts cannot be applied to your sponsorship but will be used to strengthen and expand programs in the field. To find out if your company has a matching gift policy, visit matchinggifts.com/womenforwomen.
Can I buy WfWI merchandise or the items that the women in your programs make by hand?
We don’t typically sell products to individuals, but products from women in our programs can be purchased in bulk. If you’re a retailer interested in learning about available products and pricing, email us at getinvolved@womenforwomen.org.
I’m a student and I’m doing a research project. I’d like to interview a WfWI staffer. Who can I contact?
We make every effort to grant student interview requests, but please be advised that we are not able to accommodate every request. Please email getinvolved@womenforwomen.org with your request, including the topic of your project and a date by which you need to complete the interview.
I’m from the press and I’m interested in covering a WfWI event or campaign. Who can I contact?
Direct press inquiries to us at getinvolved@womenforwomen.org.
I’d like to send items to women in your program. How can I do that?
Thank you so much for your interest in helping the women in our program! Unfortunately, we cannot accept donations of goods. When you sponsor a particular woman in our program, we encourage you to write letters to your “sister.” Letters are a great way of showing support, and our website explains the sponsorship and letter-writing process.
Run for Congo Women
How is Run for Congo Women related to Women for Women International?
Run for Congo Women was initiated by a supporter named Lisa Shannon in 2005. It is a global run/walk series benefiting Women for Women International’s Congo program. Some of the Run for Congo Women events are underwritten and insured by Women for Women International. Others are “third party” events, meaning they’re hosted entirely by supporters, who then send the proceeds to Women for Women International following their event.
How can I learn more about RFCW?
Visit our Run for Congo Women website at runforcongowomen.org.
Sponsoring a Woman
For more information about sponsoring a woman survivor of war in one of our eight countries, and to sign up as a sponsor, please visit the sponsorship section of womenforwomen.org.
Close Sponsoring a Woman FAQsPlanning an Event, Fundraising, and Getting Involved
Can I request someone from Women for Women International to speak at my event?
You can submit a request and we very much appreciate the invitation. Please email us at getinvolved@womenforwomen.org with the following information: date and time of event, location of event, number of anticipated attendees, topic/theme of event, availability of funds for travel expenses/honorarium. Please note that due to limited resources and staff availability, we must often decline requests for speakers. We are also unable to send program graduates from any of our eight countries to your event.
What materials do you have that I can use to show/distribute at my event?
We have brochures, a DVD about Women for Women International for showing at your event, mailing list sign-up forms, one-page fact sheets, and occasionally additional material. Please fill out our online Event Registration form in the Events section to let us know about your event and request materials for your attendees.
I would like to hold an event but I’ve never done this before and I’m not sure what to do. What type of events have people held in the past?
Choose an event that you’ll have fun planning. We’ve created event toolkits for some of the event types we see most commonly (see the Events section), or you can come up with your own idea. If you like to bake, consider baking cookies and brownies and selling them at your office or school. If you’re a personal trainer or a plumber or a photographer, consider auctioning off your services (be sure to follow state and local raffle/auction laws). Tap into your hobbies and networks to come up with a rewarding and effective event that raises funds and educates others in your community.
How can I connect with other supporters in my area?
See if there is an event happening soon in your area, either hosted by Women for Women International or by a fellow local supporter, and sign up to attend. Or join our community on Facebook.
What is the difference between a third-party event and a WfWI event?
A third-party event is defined as any event or activity that will benefit WfWI but is not sponsored by, insured by, or affiliated with WfWI. A WfWI event is either planned or overseen by WfWI staff, and is sponsored and insured by WfWI.
Can you set up a webpage for my third-party event?
No, unfortunately we can’t set up a specific informational webpage or fundraising webpage for third-party events.
I’m having a problem with my fundraising webpage on Blackbaud Sphere. Can you help?
Sure. Email us at getinvolved@womenforwomen.org. To help us help you, please explain your problem in detail and consider including a screen shot of the webpage you’re having trouble with.
I don’t live in the US. Can I still get involved?
Yes. You are welcome to join our Facebook and Twitter communities, or to hold a fundraising/awareness event. Please note that we are only tax exempt in the US and UK, so donations from other countries are not tax deductible. Also, any cash or checks that you collect should be converted to US dollars before mailing in.
I’m not an Ambassador or part of a Campus Chapter. Can you help me plan my third-party fundraising event?
We’ve put tools and tips on this site to help you plan successful events and invite you to take full advantage of them. We are also happy to mail you materials (just include your materials request when you fill out your Event Registration form). Beyond that, unfortunately we don’t have the staff resources to work more closely with you on your third party event.
Can I volunteer with WfWI in the field?
We don’t currently have a program that allows supporters to volunteer in any of the eight countries in which we work.
Will you promote my event on Facebook or your website?
By filling out our online Event Registration, you’re letting us know about your event and submitting it for approval to be posted on our online event listing on this site. We don’t post about individual grassroots events on Facebook, but we do post about them as a whole and direct our Facebook fans to visit this site to find an event near them.
I’ve been raising funds online through a fundraising webpage I set up through your Blackbaud system. How can I use the funds to start sponsoring a woman?
These funds cannot be applied to a sponsorship. These funds benefit all of the women in the programs in all eight of the countries where we work.
Collecting and Submitting Donations and Sponsorships
How do I collect and send in funds?
All checks should be made payable to Women for Women International. When handling funds at events, never leave money unattended. Use a cashbox. Checks and credit card information must never be photocopied or retained. No personal or financial information (credit card information, etc.) should be sent electronically. WfWI sends a tax acknowledgement letter to any donor who writes a check for $25 or more (mailed to the address on the check). Be sure to clarify for event participants and donors the difference between sponsoring a woman and making a donation (writing a check will NOT automatically enroll you as a sponsor unless it is accompanying a sponsor enrollment form).
To submit funds to Women for Women International, convert cash to check or money order when possible, with a note stating it represents cash donations from many individuals. We recommend sending funds to us via FedEx or another trackable mailing method, and include a completed Donate/Sponsor Form (downloadable from this site).
Mail event proceeds, along with the printable Donate/Sponsor form(s) available in the toolkit for each event, to us at:
Women for Women International (Grassroots Channel)
Global Support Center
PO Box 9224
Central Islip, NY 11722-9224
Chapters & Ambassadors
I’m not a university/college student but I’d like to form a chapter. Can I do that?
Thank you so much for your commitment. Unfortunately at this time we only have Campus Chapters. We don’t have the capacity to begin a community chapter program.
I’m a high school student – can I start a campus chapter?
Thank you so much for your commitment. Unfortunately at this time our Campus Chapter program is only for college/university students. If you’re planning to go on to college, please consider forming a WfWI Campus Chapter at that time!
I’m a grad student – can I start a chapter?
Yes.
Why do you have an application process?
We don’t expect prospective chapter members or ambassadors to have experience in non-profit work, fundraising or event-planning. The goal of our application process is to ensure that you are passionate and committed to a long-term volunteer role with our organization.
Corporate Partnerships
I just finished writing a book and I’d like to devote a percentage of sales to WfWI. How do I do that?
Email us at getinvolved@womenforwomen.org with information about your book, a link to your website, your promotional plan, and the specifics of your anticipated donation (i.e. 5% of proceeds, etc).
I am the owner of a small business and I’d like to devote a percentage of sales to WfWI. How do I do that?
Thank you for your interest! Please fill out this online form to let us know more. We’ll review your plans and the appropriate staff member will contact you.
Third Party Event
