Some common questions answered:
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Who is GLOBAL CONCERN?
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Global Concern is a registered (Non Governement /Not for Profit Orgnaisation) in Australia who’s main focus is overseas aid and development. We a fully accredited with AUSAid (Australian Government) and a signatory to the ACFID Code. -
What is GLOBAL CONCERN trying to achieve?
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Global Concern is trying to achieve equality for the poor. Our aim to eradicate poverty in poor communities around the world long-term. We aim at enabling the poor to have access to skills which will benefit their lives and the lives of their children to come. In times of disaster we aim to provide relief in the form of food, shelter and medical assistance. -
How does GLOBAL CONCERN work?
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We work with local partners who have proven themselves committed to service to the poor, honesty and accountability. Our partners have been affiliated with us for many years and have a proven track record, so when disaster strikes we can be there assisting through our local workers. Often as in the case with Malawi, after disaster relief we continue working in the community to establish long-term change, in this instance food security. In every country though you will find local staff already working, the amount of work they can do really depends on the amount of funding we can access. Before any project begins we do a needs analysis, followed by detailed financial and statistical reporting, we list aims and objectives and do regular monthly reviews to see if we are on-track. Once a year a monitoring trip will be conducted from Australia to see first hand the work that is being achieved on the ground. -
Does GLOBAL CONCERN have any political or religious affiliations?
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GLOBAL CONCERN assists the poor irrespective of peoples race, religion or political affiliation. GLOBAL CONCERN works alongside EHC (Every Home for Christ) which is an evangelical Christian ministry. Great efforts are used to ensure no humanitarian funding is used for any ministry, separate bank accounts and separate workers are employed where possible. -
Where is GLOBAL CONCERN based?
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GLOBAL CONCERN office is based in Sydney, Australia. -
Where does GLOBAL CONCERN work?
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GLOBAL CONCERN works in a community project in Kenya, food security in Zambia and Malawi, schooling and vocational training in India and Bangladesh, and where relief efforts are needed where possible (for example we assisted in Samoa after the 2010 tsunami and Pakistan in the 2010 floods). As we have staff in 80 countries around the world we are ready to help when needs arise. -
How are the campaigns and projects funded?
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Our success in poverty alleviation is due to the donations of generous individuals, without local donations our work would close. We have also been partly funded through AusAID for the past 7 years. -
Is GLOBAL CONCERN audited?
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Yes! GLOBAL CONCERN is audited every year without fail by independent auditors. We are also audited by AusAID financial auditors. We require our local staff in developing nations to get yearly independent audits done and when a monitoring trip is conducted GLOBAL CONCERN Australia staff also review the financial documents kept. On top of this we get monthly financial reports complete with bank statements, receipts, expense reports etc. We are determined at making sure every dollar sent is used well for the sake of the poor. -
How does GLOBAL CONCERN select communities and projects to work with?
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This is a difficult one as the need is so great! As we have local partners in 80+ countries around the world we often get requests for needs that we can not fund. We select communities based on greatest need. We look at factors like our own ability to fund the project, the local project manager being skilled in the project he is wanting to start, the needs of the community and if we feel the project will adequately meet them.
Zambia
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How is an overseas project designed?
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An overseas project is designed first and foremost with the initiative of the local partner. We get regular requests for projects from these partners, but we ensure all humanitarian projects will be acceptable for the Australian Tax Department as all our humanitarian efforts are tax deductible. A partner will contact us when they have a need, and a project they want to begin. We work together on writing a detailed project proposal, with objectives, aims, budget, how the work will be monitored etc. Once this is finalized we begin raising funds for the project through our website, donor base, newsletter and e-news. -
How does GLOBAL CONCERN determine if a project is effective and sustainable?
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Each month we have the local staff review the aims and objectives of the project compared with the outcomes achieved, and we make changes if necessary to the method of working. We conduct local staff meetings, beneficiary meetings, we talk directly to the people who are involved or wanting to be involved in the community project, we look at other projects in the area. In some of our projects (e.g. Food Security in Africa) our beneficiaries are with us for a certain length of time then they graduate and train others. In others they train for 6 months (e.g. sewing skills in India and Bangladesh) then we assist them in finding work or purchasing their own machine then we take the next intake of villagers. -
Does GLOBAL CONCERN work with other charity organizations?
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GLOBAL CONCERN works with Global Concern, our sister organization, Be a Hero, Wells for Zoe and African Equity.
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How do I donate?
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Your donation would be enable the work to continue! You can donate online at www.globalconcern.org.au/donate or by phoning us on 02) 9570 8211 or free-call 0800 900 200
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How much of my donation reaches the projects?
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As much of your money as possible! While most people today want 100% to get there, we can ensure you that 100% of your money will go to help the poor come out of poverty! It will be used well! Some funds are used to ensure the project is started, continued and managed well, with no mismanagement once on the ground. For further details you can find a breakdown of where all our money goes in our latest financial report here: http://globalconcern.org.au/who-we-are/annual-reports/
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How do I know if my donation reaches those most in need?
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GLOBAL CONCERN abides by the ACFID (Australian Council for International Development) code of conduct. We abide by a strict code of practice. We are audited yearly. We are fully accredited with AusAID who have conducted stringent financial audits on us. You can be sure your money is used the way you have intended. -
Are all donations tax-deductable?
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Donations over $2 are tax deductible. -
Can I sponsor a child?
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Yes! You can sponsor a child in India or Bangladesh. This money will go to see them attending primary school, given a school uniform, a daily nutritious lunch and to provide school books, pens and paper. Medical checks are also conducted and when needed funds are given to those children who are in need of medical attention. See our website for more information. You can visit your sponsor child if you wish.
Volunteer
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What kind of volunteer jobs can I do for GLOBAL CONCERN?
We employ volunteers for administration task, fundraising, marketing, and grant drafting and try to tailor positions to the skills of particular volunteers. You can find a list of volunteer opportunities here: Volunteers Page
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Why does GLOBAL CONCERN use volunteers?
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We believe that solving world poverty is a group effort and responsibility. We can not do it alone. We also hope to give volunteers and experience in seeing first hand what it looks like to manage overseas aid projects and for them to be involved in something bigger than themselves! -
Can I volunteer if I work full time?
Yes, we need volunteers to raise awareness, funds, organize events for Every Home Global Concern etc. If you work a 9-5 job you will not be able to volunteer in the office though as these are our working hours also.
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What skills or experience do I need to volunteer for GLOBAL CONCERN?
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Volunteers can complete simple tasks such as filing through to more complicated tasks like proposal drafting (which usually requires a degree in a related field). We do our best to tailor volunteer positions to the skills of the volunteers who apply. See here for a more detailed breakdown of the skills or experience required for particular volunteer positions: Volunteers Page
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Can I volunteer for GLOBAL CONCERN if I’m an overseas visitor?
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Yes, we often have people from diverse backgrounds and cultures working with us as volunteers. We usually ask that you can commit to at least 6 months as a volunteer and that your skills fit the appropriate position.Have any more questions – then contact us here