Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

How do I sign up to host a dinner party? Does the host contribute a donation as well, or just the guests? What makes me eligible for the Grand Prize? Are donations tax deductible? As a host, can the GVN Foundation reimburse me for money I spent to host the party? What if my guests can't afford or don't want to pay the suggested $30? Can I have them pay less? Can I change the minimum donation required after registering as a host? I'm wary of giving money to organizations I don't know. Tell me more about Global Volunteer Network. How can I be sure that the Global Volunteer Network is a legitimate organization? I can't participate in this year's event but would still like to make a contribution. How can I make a donation to the Global Children's Fund? How do I get the money I raised at my dinner party to GVN? Do I get any notification when it arrives? Unfortunately I cannot participate in this year's event. Are there other ways I can help stop child poverty? How can I be sure GVN will keep any information I submit private? Can I use Eat So They Can as a vehicle to raise money for a different charity or organization? My question has not been answered.

General Questions

How do I sign up to host a dinner party?

Simply fill out the online form and register as a host. You will then receive an email with information about all the resources available to our hosts. Your ESTC host mentor will also set up a personalised webpage for you and will contact you once this is set up. Sign up now!

Does the host contribute a donation as well, or just the guests?

As a host, who donates is up to you. Depending on what type of party you host, you may have spent a lot of time and personal money getting ready for your party, so you may want to focus on encouraging your guests to donate.

What makes me eligible for the Grand Prize?

You need to host an event and raise a minimum of USD $500 in order to be eligible for the grand prize drawing.

Are donations tax deductible?

The GVN Foundation has non-profit status in the United States. Therefore, we can issue a tax receipt for US citizens only. US citizen hosts who submit the total payment (via cheque or the online credit card system) will receive a tax receipt. Individual donors of US citizenship can only receive a tax receipt if they make their donation, on your event's behalf, directly to the GVN Foundation via check/cheque or online.

Those hosts or guests paying by check/cheque or online from countries other then the United States will receive a receipt of funds/thank you email, which, depending on your country, may be used as a tax receipt. For more information regarding this, check your nation's tax laws. All tax receipts or receipt of funds will be issued by the GVN Foundation on December 31, 2009.

As a host, can the GVN Foundation reimburse me for money I spent to host the party?

Unfortunately, No. Once the GVN Foundation receives your donations, they will be used for charitable purposes only. No reimbursements will be made to ESTC hosts.

What if my guests can't afford or don't want to pay the suggested $30? Can I have them pay less?

Since you are in charge of planning all the aspects of your party, you are in charge of setting a donation price per head. We understand that not everyone can afford to attend a party with a recommended $30 dollar donation. You can definitely host an event for less than $30 a head, if you find it more appropriate and/or necessary to throw a successful event. However, we strongly encourage a minimum of at least $10 per person in order to make your event successful.

Can I change the minimum donation required after registering as a host?

Of course! All hosts will be asked to fill out and submit an Eligibility Form shortly after their event, detailing final event information. You can indicate here what your minimum donation price/total funds raised result actually was.

I'm wary of giving money to organizations I don't know. Tell me more about Global Volunteer Network.

Global Volunteer Network (GVN) is a non-governmental organization (NGO) that offers volunteer opportunities in community projects throughout the world. We work to support the local community organizations with international volunteers, as we believe that the local communities are the best to assess what they need, and how we can help them achieve their goals. The branch of GVN that is launching 'Eat So They Can' is the Stop Child Poverty Campaign, which seeks to provide the underprivileged children of the world with the essentials for survival. In 2000, world leaders met in the United Nations Millennium Summit and pledged their support to reduce extreme poverty by 2015. GVN, and the Stop Child Poverty Campaign in particular, is committed to holding these leaders and their countries accountable for their pledges. For even more information, check out the GVN website.

How can I be sure that the Global Volunteer Network is a legitimate organization?

We have been verified by Idealist, which is the largest volunteer portal on the internet. This verification means that Idealist have viewed and approved our certification. We are a member of the World Association of Non-Governmental Organisations. Prestigious web sites such as Lonely Planet and Goabroad.com have placed web links to us. We are a private, Non Government Organization (NGO), based in Wellington, New Zealand, and our incorporation number is: WN/1194442. Additionally, when you apply, we can provide you with contact information for previous volunteers if you wish. GVN is also an approved member of the Site Trust Network and you can view our verification page.

I can't participate in this year's event but would still like to make a contribution. How can I make a donation to the Global Children's Fund?

We understand that not everyone can participate in hosting a party. The GVN Foundation will gratefully accept donations for the Global Children's Fund. Click here to donate.

How do I get the money I raised at my dinner party to GVN? Do I get any notification when it arrives?

When you sign up as a host you will receive a series of emails telling you about the event, as well as a comprehensive Resource Guide detailing the process of all payment options. You may have your guests pay you or pay the GVN Foundation directly through our secure online payment link. If donating online, you will automatically get a receipt confirming funds have been received. If sending a cheque, you can and we will gladly confirm that the cheque has been received and processed.

Unfortunately I cannot participate in this year's event. Are there other ways I can help stop child poverty?

Of course! GVN has numerous ways that each individual can contribute, both globally and locally. Sign up for the Stop Child Poverty campaign here, and you will receive the Stop Child Poverty Action Pack and updates of the campaign's progress and new ways you can get involved. If you would like to volunteer abroad and/or see what you can do internationally, check out the GVN Website and you'll find trips and opportunities in over 20 countries!

How can I be sure GVN will keep any information I submit private?

GVN complies with the Data Protection Act and will not pass your personal information on to any third party organization. Online payments are processed through a secure third party site, and GVN does not receive sensitive information such as credit card information.

Can I use Eat So They Can as a vehicle to raise money for a different charity or organization?

No, you cannot use ESTC as a vehicle to raise money for other organizations or charities. All funds that you raise through Eat So They Can must be submitted to GVN Foundation or GVNF Australia and will be distributed to our existing partners in South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania and Peru.

My question has not been answered

We are sorry if your question has not been answered. Please send us any questions over an email, or contact us and we’ll be happy to help and answer any questions you have.