We make global giving accessible and safe
| How We Work |
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Vision
Donors contact CAFAmerica with a foreign nonprofit in mind or to discuss their philanthropic vision.
Foreign nonprofits contact CAFAmerica to become eligible to receive grants and improve their US fundraising potential.
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Research
CAFAmerica conducts due diligence reviews for each recommended foreign nonprofit; or, CAFAmerica recommends strategies and vetted nonprofits that match donor goals.
Donors also may use due diligence research outside of grant making.
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Gift
Donors make a gift to CAFAmerica or establish a fund for ongoing grants and pay a percentage for administrative costs.
CAFAmerica provides real-time, online access to fund activity.
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Grant
CAFAmerica makes grants to foreign nonprofits and monitors their operations.
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Impact
Grant recipients are required to report annually. CAFAmerica also assesses program impact through site visits, news reports, and other means.
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CAFAmerica assists donors and foreign nonprofits across the full spectrum of global philanthropy, from vision to gift to grant to impact.
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As a US 501(c)(3)public charity, gifts to CAFAmerica are fully tax-deductible. Since US donors are not able to make tax-deductible gifts directly to foreign nonprofits, many use CAFAmerica to fulfill their global giving objectives.
Acceptable assets
CAFAmerica currently accepts cash as well as checks, wire transfers, credit cards and stocks. In addition, CAFAmerica can partner with other US public charities to help donors liquidate high-value tangible gifts such as artwork, property, or any other illiquid asset, and grant the proceeds to a foreign nonprofit of their choice.
Administrative costs
Donors pay CAFAmerica an administrative fee for international grant making and advisory services. Nonprofits pay fees for grant applications and advisory services. Our administrative costs can be found on our solutions and costs pages.
Due diligence
CAFAmerica provides due diligence to verify that monies are being used for their intended purposes. We comply with all applicable US laws as well as our own rigorous eligibility reviews for foreign nonprofit organizations. To ensure that each nonprofit operates for charitable purposes as defined under US law, potential grantees must apply for eligibility by completing an eligibility application and submit detailed supporting documentation. Applicants are checked against current government watchlists.
We follow a risk-based approach to grant making by assessing a foreign nonprofit against a number of “risk” factors, such as geographic location, length of establishment, length of relationship with CAFAmerica, and ability to obtain independent verification of a nonprofit’s mission and activities.
We often undertake independent local verification via one of our CAF International Network offices, review news and reports of grantees, and conduct pre-grant audits and visits upon request.
Grant eligibility process
When CAFAmerica receives a grant suggestion for a foreign nonprofit that is not yet eligible with us, we contact the nonprofit directly. Foreign nonprofits also may contact CAFAmerica without a pending grant suggestion. Nonprofits can be located anywhere in the world that CAFAmerica is legally able to make grants.
All nonprofits must apply for eligibility by completing an eligibility application and submit supporting documents such as proof of nonprofit status in their country of residence, and financial and governing documents.
The eligibility review process usually takes from 4-6 weeks once CAFAmerica receives a complete application and all supporting documents. If approved, nonprofits are listed in our searchable, online database. Eligibility periods are based on good practice in international grant making to prevent fraud and money laundering, take into account the changes nonprofits undergo and ensures we have the most up to date information on file for compliance.
| Country of residence |
Length of Eligibility |
| Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom |
3 years |
| All other countries |
2 years |
Download our FAQ for donors or our FAQ for nonprofits for more information.
Best practices
CAFAmerica’s excellence in international grant making is evidenced by our adherence to global best practices and 100 percent transparency and accountability. We help define best practices in grant making through the Council on Foundations US International Grantmakers Group (USIG). Our Grants Administration Protocol exceeds the minimum standard set by the Internal Revenue Service for public charity due diligence in grant making; and we received a “clean bill of health” for compliance with the Internal Revenue Service Policy on Terrorism.
Safe Grant Making
CAFAmerica’s grants administration protocol exceeds the minimum standard set by the IRS for a public charity and complies with US law including The USA Patriot Act, Executive Order 13224, The US Dept. of Treasury’s Voluntary Guidelines for International Grant Making, H.R.4, and all sanctions imposed by The US State Department and OFAC. CAFAmerica reviews its grants administration protocol regularly to ensure the highest level of compliance with best practices in grantmaking.
Policy on Terrorist Financing
CAFAmerica policy is to make grants to organizations exclusively in furtherance of charitable purposes, as defined by the US Internal Revenue Code. Accordingly, CAFAmerica checks the charitable status of each recommended grant recipient together with a thorough review of governance, finances and activities. In addition, CAFAmerica monitors watch lists and other releases from US and international government and financial agencies regarding organizations suspected of supporting terrorist activities. If CAFAmerica is unable to verify the charitable status of an organization or if an organization, its members, or associates are suspected of supporting terrorism, CAFAmerica will not approve a grant to that charity.
Transparency and accountability
At CAFAmerica, international gifts go further as a result of our clear and appropriate costs, low overhead, and the assurance a gift will be used as intended. Costs are always transparent and our record for timely administration is exceptional. We process 80% of grants within a month. Our commitment to the highest efficiency of operations ensures maximum benefits get to grantees.
For more information, please reference the documents below.