Frequently Asked Questions

What is IDRF? IDRF is a tax-exempt organization under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, Section 501 (C)(3). It aims to support grassroots, voluntary NGOs committed to serving the most disadvantaged and needy people in India. How does IDRF operate? IDRF is administered by volunteers from their homes and thus has very low overheads (about 5%). Prudent management of all resources helps us to minimize the admin cost. We also generate income by organizing events such as cultural programs and sporting activities. We are thus able to disburse 100% of your donations and that too directly to the beneficiary NGOs. Our compliance standards are very high and all our financial statements are prepared by independent auditors and annually submitted to the IRS. How does IDRF select grassroots NGOs? IDRFs founder and president has been visiting India over the past three decades and identifying NGOs managed by dedicated, selfless people, who are imbibed with a spirit of selfless, humanitarian service. IDRFs volunteers also remain in direct contact with such NGOs throughout the tribal, rural and urban India from Jammu to Kanyakumari and from Arunachal to Gujarat. What specific traits does IDRF seek in NGOs? IDRFs NGOs focus on integrated human development, self-empowerment, inculcation of responsible citizenry and better governance, ecological awareness, family planning and public health, and overall promotion of social and economic harmony to bring the marginalized segments of the society (including those with
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disabilities) into the mainstream. Our NGOs operate under a minuscule budget and serve people without consideration of caste, religion or sect. What are the accomplishments of IDRF? Thanks to the selfless, unstinting support of our volunteers and the growing donors confidence in IDRFs services and impacts, we have raised and given grants totaling ~$24 million to grassroots NGOs across India over the past two decades. Inspired by IDRF, 15 young couples mostly born/brought up in the USA have showed unprecedented generosity and love for India by donating their (cash) wedding gifts for social service projects. Many NRIs have fulfilled their dreams of establishing schools and dorms in their villages, and others have contributed funds that have enabled IDRF to finance as many as 30 mobile medical clinics. Many have also sponsored one-teacher schools and provided homes for children and widows tormented by poverty, illiteracy, natural disasters, terrorism, or insurgency. Many of you have saved children from blindness, supported family planning programs, and much more. Visits to IDRF-supported NGOs have been an exhilarating experience, seeing the best possible use of your donations. We are invariably moved to tears of joy and inspired to double our efforts each successive year. We strongly encourage you to visit the NGOs you are supporting. Can I be assured that my hard-earned money will be properly used? Yes. This is precisely the inherent core strength of IDRF. We attach utmost importance to the NGOs accountability and integrity. We select NGOs with proven track records only. Dr. Vinod
November 2011

Prakash, the moving spirit behind IDRF, visits seva projects in India almost every year. Since his early retirement from the World Bank in 1988, he has virtually volunteered full-time for IDRF. Mr. Mohandas Gupta, another retiree, spends 3-4 months a year in India and visits IDRF-supported projects. Our other volunteers also keep visiting seva projects. Can my employer/corporation match my donations to IDRF? Yes, as a 501(C)(3) tax-exempt organization, IDRF receives the matching corporate gifts and we promptly take care of the paperwork. Can I choose an NGO for my donation? Yes, you have the privilege of recommending an organization in India. IDRF may accept your choice only if the designated organization is taxexempt, FCRA approved, internet-connected and gets its accounts audited. The total of your donoradvised contributions should be at least $5,000. IDRF may retain a small portion; as your aggregated donation goes up, the percentage retained is lowered from 6% (at minimum donation amount of $5,000) to 2% (at donation amount of $50,000). When can I donate to IDRF? You may respond to IDRFs annual November campaign and also to its special appeals at times of natural disaster. However, we welcome donations year round. You may think of donating on special occasions, such as a birthday, wedding, pooja or havan or death anniversary of a close one. How can I support IDRFs ongoing projects? You may leave it to our discretion or allocate to a project of your choice. See map inset on the back or visit www.idrf.org for more program choices.
Contact us at idrfhq@yahoo.com

Beneficiaries of Your Donations Reflected Below

FUNDS RAISED OVER THE LAST 5 YEARS (IN THOUSAND $S)

2006 Donor Contributions 963 2007 981 2008 592 2009 492 2010 705 2011 Goal 1000

INDIA DEVELOPMENT & RELIEF FUND

[Tax-Exempt under IRS Code 501(C)(3)]

IDRF

Some of the donation choices you could make:

$200: One-teacher school in Jharkhand (1 year) $365: Ekal Vidyalayas in Uttarakhand (1 year) $600: Preventing blindness among 400 people $1,000: Microcredit for 5 women self-help groups $3,000: Provide complete schooling for 1 tribal girl

IDRF raises funds for helping the most disadvantaged and/or impoverished people by supporting carefully selected dedicated grassroots non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that have a proven track record.
IDRFs beneficiary NGOs are engaged in:

States with IDRF programs Large Medium

One-teacher schools like these are empowering tribal children with education and life skills

Combating corruption and improving governance Empowering rural women through microcredit
loans and training

Supporting quality children education in villages Providing healthcare Enabling self-reliance and eco-friendly rural
development

What are the means through which I can contribute to IDRF? Donate online at www.idrf.org through PayPal (accepts VISA, MasterCard, AMEX, or Discover, and direct debit from bank account) Donate stocks/shares. You may email to inform us and instruct your stock broker to electronically transfer stocks to IDRF (details at www.idrf.org). This will save you capital gains tax and also deduct the market value from your taxable income. You may also secure employers matching gift for your donation. Designate your donation to IDRF under the United Ways donor-choice program. If IDRF is not already registered under this program at your initiative, we will be happy to get the registration done. Please let us know. Donate you old car. IDRF is registered for used car program. Please contact us for details at idrfhq@yahoo.com.
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Volunteers and Friends at Your Service Mohan (AZ) Malati (CA) Dharmesh (DC) Pooja (MD) Jaipal (NJ) mohandasgupta@gmail.com malatig@sbcglobal.net idrfhq@gmail.com pvarmaidrf@gmail.com jaipal.rathi@wgint.com

Promoting awareness on family planning and

gender parity

Mainstreaming children with developmental

challenges/disabilities

Rehabilitating and post-disaster development

Thanks to its volunteers and strict oversight, IDRF spends about 5% as overheads and is able to disburse almost all the donated amount received. We accept all amounts big or small with gratitude. Please make checks payable to IDRF and mail to: IDRF, 5821 Mossrock Dr., North Bethesda, MD 20852. Informing us by email regarding your donation will expedite the issuance of our official receipt to you. OR Donate online at www.idrf.org

The poor, the illiterate, the ignorant, the afflicted let these be your God. Know that service to these alone is the highest religion. Vivekananda

November 2011

Contact us at idrfhq@yahoo.com