The first step is to do a reference check with our Kolkata team, Kolkata partner (Kolkata Gives), and other Kolkata contacts that our USA team has. We then ask the proposed NGO to submit a basic set of information.

Once that is acceptable, we ask the NGO to submit multi year information in a very detailed questionnaire covering the following (here is a copy of our application form in PDF and an editable MS-Word version):

1. General information and history
2. Legal structure and governance
3. Social areas of operation and causes
4. Beneficiary profile
5. Vision and future plans
6. Impact analysis
7. Accounting, Finance and Internal Controls
8. Current sources of funding
9. Donation level impact
10. SWOT analysis
11. Project specifics
12. Reporting
13. Marketing and community involvement
14. Information systems
15. Non-financial help we can provide
16. Certifications and Awards
17. Agreement to governance and transparency commitments

The trustees are solely responsible for selecting an NGO that may be supported in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations stipulated by IRS as applicable to exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the relevant act. In selecting an NGO, the trustees apply the following general principles:

1. The objectives of the NGO should be in conformity with causes supported by us.
2. The NGO should be non-sectarian having no religious or political affiliations.
3. The NGO must not discriminate on the basis of caste, creed, religion or sex.
4. The activities of the NGO should be scalable.
5. Social impact made by the NGO should be measurable.

Funding a selected NGO is based on evaluation of specific projects within its objectives. Project funding requests must be accompanied by specific budgets, execution plan, time lines, social benefits expected and measurable outcome definition. We will have multiple phone conversations with the NGO leadership followed by site visits by the board or the team before we select any organization.

We are registered as a 501(c)(3) organization. Accordingly, a US taxpayer who donates to Kolkata Foundation, out of his or her taxable income will be eligible for tax deductibility, under US Tax laws. However, all donors should consult with their tax consultants regarding tax deductibility. Any person who collects donations from others and then donates the funds collected to Kolkata Foundation will not be eligible for any tax deductibility.

Our EIN is 81-4479308. Please contact us at info@kolkatafoundation.org if you need a receipt for your donations.

We are also on the Benevity platform, so look us up for an automatic company match. Please double check the logo, since there is a similar sounding organization that is also on Benevity.

At Kolkata Foundation, overhead and management expenses are borne by the board thus allowing us to send 100% of your donation over to deserving NGOs in Kolkata. In order to maintain transparency, we add the credit card transaction fees (2.2% + 0.30) to online donations as part of the checkout process. Check donations incur no such expenses.

No. The trustees will solely decide the use of funds. In line with IRS regulations, we are required to pool all funds and then disburse in accordance with the decision of our Board of Directors. We may however seek suggestions from our donors about disbursal of funds, but the foundation or its board cannot be directed by donor(s) to disburse funds collected to any particular NGO or for any specific project.

Here are a list of steps we take to ensure proper monitoring of funds:

1. A selected NGO agrees in writing through a board resolution of the NGO to abide by the general terms and conditions of our support
2. A specific letter with applicable terms and conditions is conveyed to the NGO when a project is approved for support after evaluation
3. Project approval letters contain periodic reporting requirements to be furnished by the NGO
4. Usually funding for a project is done in stages and is milestone based
5. In most cases we ask the NGO to open a separate bank account for the funds received from KF, and all expenses are paid out of that bank account
6. We ask for monthly copies of the bank statements of those accounts
7. We insist that most of the expenses are incurred by EFT or check, and that if more than a reasonable portion of our financial support is to be spent in cash the internal controls, checks and balances in regard thereto are discussed and approved by KF in advance
8. Funding can be stopped if milestones are not met, or reporting requirements are not complied with or if there is a breach of the conditions of our support to the NGO and/or to the specific project
9. Our Kolkata team regularly meets relevant officials of approved NGOs
10. Periodic site visits are conducted by our Kolkata team
11. The trustees hold periodic video calls and are in regular contact with the heads of our supported NGOs

We welcome suggestions about NGOs that KF may support. However, support will depend upon the Board’s approval after complying with our selection process as set out in Q1. You may ask the proposed NGO to fill out the basis questionnaire as a first step.

One of the very important ways to enhance your effort is to check whether your employer has a program of matching contributions made by employees to charitable organizations such as our foundation. We are registered with Benevity and YourCause. It is possible that your employer is too. Your contribution will stand to be enhanced.

There are many other ways to get involved too. You can help spread the word through email and Facebook, organize fund-raisers (ask us how), open a chapter in your city or town, and get your company to get involved. Please reach us at info@kolkatafoundation.org if you are interested.

The advantages of donating through Kolkata Foundation, apart from tax benefits in the USA, come from our strict monitoring and project selection. We work closely with supported organization to enhance impact through programs that go beyond pure monetary contributions. We are focused in the areas we consider critical for social change, Education, Healthcare and Women’s Empowerment, as well as providing support in emergent times. Our goal is to be transparent so that you are aware of your own social impact.

There are many NGOs doing excellent work all around the world. However, given our own backgrounds being from Kolkata, the ability to tightly oversee their operations, the benefits of being able to do periodic site – visits coupled with the fact that Kolkata/Bengal continues to have a lot of poverty, we have chosen to focus on this region. In the spirit of true partnerships, we do learn from and share best practices with other NGOs around India.