Do you accept donations from non-members?
Yes, we are compliant with regulatory requirements such as 12AA, and do accept donation from patrons to fund our projects. Once we launch a project, we usually reach out to our patrons, previous donors and our close acquaintances (through members).
Do drop us an e-mail if you would like to be part of our initiatives. You can make a general donation (without specifying the projects), or your donation can be for one of our ongoing projects. Once we receive your email, we will get back to you with the details. We encourage donors to fill up the online donor form after making the contribution. Note that due to existing regulations, at this point in time, we can only receive donations made in Indian currency.
Are donations made to the Foundation eligible for IT deduction under section 80G?
Yes, we have completed the 80G registration, and all donations made to the foundation are eligible for income tax exemption. Reach out to us for issue of 80G certificate.
Is the 88 Degree East Foundation just another NGO raising funds and doing charity?
In some sense, yes. We are not really unique. A lot of organizations have very similar profile, and do a lot of good work. For that matter, we partner with a lot of such organizations.
On the other hand, we are unique because we are old school mates, and some of us have known each other since our nursery school days, which means friendship of more than forty years. This long and cherished association means the members put a lot of trust, and their personal time and efforts, in the running of the foundation. We pick up a small number of projects, and they usually execute well. Most projects have a definite start and end. We are usually quite efficient in passing on member and non-member contributions to the beneficiaries. And we keep the members updated with the decisions taken, and the progress being made with the projects.
How are the projects selected?
Pretty much all projects start with suggestions coming from our members. Members are aware of the core areas that we intend to operate. Accordingly, if they come across areas where the foundation can make a meaningful contribution, a proposal is made to the Foundation. The Committee evaluates the project, its scope, estimated budget, and timeframe. Usually, decisions are taken in Committee meetings, however at times when a decision needs to be taken fast (example being the Amphan relief activities), decisions are taken based on telephonic conversations and video calls. Final decision is communicated to the members who made the proposal.
How are the projects executed?
In nearly all projects, we partner with other organizations, so that we get to use our core expertise, and rely on others for the expertise that they bring in. We work with our school authorities for the Computer lab project. In various projects, we work closely with the Rahara Alumni association. During the Amphan relief work, we worked with a lot of NGOs and individual volunteers. Ability to quickly forge partnerships, build trust, and work towards a shared goal, has been one of our strength.