1 person found this review helpful
GLOBAL VOLUNTEER NETWORK FOUNDATION
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July 29, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
Global Volunteer Network Foundation is the fundraising branch for the Global Volunteer Network Charitable Trust. The organization raises money for GVN's various global partners. I was drawn to GVN Foundation both because of their creative fundraising efforts and because of the ways in which they distribute the funds. When discussing the annual distribution of funds to support specific partner organizations with the foundation's Executive Director, Eliza, she explained that the foundation believed in affecting a few programs deeply as opposed to several programs superficially. I saw this firsthand as a volunteer for GVN Foundation's Peru Distribution Trip in 2011. Together with other volunteers, we traveled to Peru to support the distribution of funds raised the previous year. One project we supported was a community center for women and children. The women in the community center were honing their jewelry making skills but lacked the skills necessary to make marketable products. They also lacked business expertise. As such, GVN Foundation provided additional jewelry making tools and materials. They also funded jewelry classes, marketing classes, and classes on how to save and invest money. In this way, the women from the community center will be better equipped to earn sustainable income for their families. GVN Foundation was able to provide for the community center's specific needs thanks to its strong partnership with the Peruvian organization. The Foundation is committed to forming lasting relationship with local organizations that are dedicated to initiating social change in their communities. In general, I have been incredibly impressed with GVN Foundation's organization and professionalism. It truly has been an honor to work with them and I hope to work with them again in the future.
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Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Life-changing
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
1 person found this review helpful
July 29, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
I've been following the work of GVN for a few years, and have been impressed with what they're doing - so much so, that I'm now part of the volunteer team for the ESTC project. The support from the team and the connections being made with others volunteering is tremendous - not only are people who GVN work with benefiting, but the many people assisting GVN are also gaining new skills, experiences and bonds - GVN is truly Global in all senses. They work globally, they connect globally and globally they're helping people join them to gain and in turn help others. a real win - win - win.
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Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
A lot
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
1 person found this review helpful
July 29, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
The 2012 distribution trip to Peru was an amazing experience that allowed me to bond with other members of the group while visiting orphanages, schools and community centers. The opportunity to meet and speak with community leaders helped broaden my understanding of the socioeconomic challenges that the people of Cusco and Urubamba. I will be joining GVN on many future distribution trips as it has changed my approach to living.
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Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Some
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Quite well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
1 person found this review helpful
July 29, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
I have been supporting the GVN Foundation for a number of years now. My family and I take part in their annual Eat So They Can fundraiser, and we have made a number of one-off donations to causes that are close to our heart. I appreciate the time taken to provide updates on the projects we support, and like that we can be part of something bigger which really does make a difference to a child in need. Over the years I've been associated with the GVN Foundation and GVN I have been impressed with the organizations and their staff, who have answered a range of questions I've had on occasion regarding my donations. I look forward to continuing to support them and their projects. Keep up the great work!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Seeing the impact they have with the donations they allocate. I like the Distribution Trips too - an opportunity to see first hand how donations are spent.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Like a few more options with the Christmas gifts - perhaps a family type option - from 'my family to yours'
More feedback...
Was your donation impactful?
Definitely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
What specific problem, purpose, priority, or project prompted your gift?
Re the IDP camp - there was a huge need for housing... the bit my family could give certainly had an impact on a family there.
What would you tell others about this organization?
Yes
1 person found this review helpful
July 29, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
GVN foundation is a small but most efficient organisation. I always feel confident that most of the money I give or raise goes straight to the great projects I want to help. They are always thinking of new imaginative ways to help raise money for their project: the Eat So They Can initiative has now developed into a well established yearly global event not only raising funds but also awareness of the causes the host has chosen to support. The gifts of change are a great idea for potential donors who want to know exactly what they are giving to: from chickens to medical supplies to bricks... Allowing small donations to "make a difference". Another aspect I really like about GVN is that they always focus on the positive side. The distribution trip is a great way of following the effect of donations on the ground. This can be followed on the eatsotheycan website. The team of people working there are all motivated and inspiring.
More feedback...
Was your donation impactful?
Definitely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
1 person found this review helpful
July 28, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
GVN supports a corrupt organization in Vietnam whose director pockets thousands of dollars in donations meant for orphanages in Tam Ky and Da Nang. GVN has known of this for nearly two years but refuses to disassociate itself.
More feedback...
Was your donation impactful?
No
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
No
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
No
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
1 person found this review helpful
July 28, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
I have attended Eat So They Can events organized by the GVN Foundation for the past three years. All the events have been fun and informative. I also think it's great that donors are kept informed on how funds are used through the Eat So They Can facebook page and blog. There is great follow-up and transparency on how funds are used.
More feedback...
Was your donation impactful?
Definitely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
3 people found this review helpful
July 28, 2012
3 people found this review helpful
I am a medical doctor who has been on one 'tour' with GVN in 2007 to Vietnam and returned to work with their 'partner' in 2011. I do feel that their overhead is too high and that not enough of the funds make it to the children. This is in part due to their lack of oversight over their partner, not implementing systems that require a high level of transparency and accountability for all funds given. In this age of cloud-based technologies it would do them well to invest in on-line reporting and accounting systems so as to reduce administrative overhead leading to less administrative manpower being paid for out of the volunteer's 'fees' thus leaving more monies for the children and forcing partners to account for use of funds. ALSO ... reviews should NOT be written by those who volunteer to raise money for GVN or work with GVN's administrative side, nor by their partners who 'profit' by their funding, but by those who are actually in the field working with the children!! That is what this is all supposed to be about!!
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Unlikely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
A little
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Somewhat badly
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Unlikely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
1 person found this review helpful
July 27, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
I like how GVN not only caters the need of one type of adversity we have globally but its mission is to help all-round. I attended one of GVNs eat so they can eat dinner fund raiser functions couple of years ago & was touched. What GVN has done to bring smile the innocent & helpless around the world is priceless.
I wish more & more volunteers/donors join this cause & help make the world a better place that we can truly be proud of.
More feedback...
Was your donation impactful?
Definitely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
2 people found this review helpful
July 27, 2012
2 people found this review helpful
I have four years experience working as a volunteer in developing countries across the world. I understand the needs of children in orphanages as I have witnessed these and learned from many wonderful children. When I first volunteered with GVN organisation, the volunteer organisation connected to GVN Foundation, I raised many thousands of dollars, given by good people, for the children and in good faith. I left these funds in the hands of the GVN Foundation and through them the local organisation who ought to distribute these funds to the children who are very desperately in need of basic care. To my knowledge, this money never reached the children. I am by no means the only donor who has sent money and found that it did not reach the children. In the last two years, enough volunteers have been concerned about the way funds were being spent, or rather not spent, that the issue was raised with GVN Foundation, in detail. The Foundation were sent repeated evidence that the local partner to whom funds are sent were not reaching the children. Evidence of false accounting was extensive. Volunteers on the ground reported serious discrepancies in money known to have been sent by donor that never reached the orphanages. The specifics were sent to GVN Foundation. Despite this, GVN as an organisation continues to work with the local partner and the children continue to struggle. GVN Foundation chose, after pressure from volunteers, to stop sending Foundation funds to the partner, but continue working with the individual in a volunteer programme. Many volunteers, when they realise they have been massively overcharged and drawn into working with an organisation with serious allegations of corruption, have been extremely upset and disappointed. GVN Foundation told concerned volunteers that a representative would be sent, spending money that should go to the children on what would be essentially a feel good trip by an individual with little or no knowledge of the children or their immediate and long term needs on the ground, to distribute funds. As yet, this has not happened. The children then suffer. Many volunteers are now gravely concerned for the future of the children. It is possible that GVN Foundation, faced with the reports of corruption by the local partner, will decide to close the project in question down. Doing so would take from the children, already abandoned and suffering, a comfort and support many have known for their whole lives. This is simply not acceptable. An orphaned child is not a commodity and any foundation or organisation which becomes involved long term with vulnerable children has an obligation not to abandon them. I am extremely concerned about the children, the damage that would be done to them should GVN Foundation not take their responsibilities and commitment to these children as seriously as it should, the further abandonment in their lives that may befall them and the repeated instances of funds not reaching the children. From a humanitarian standpoint, such treatment of these children is a disgrace. This Foundation needs firstly to take positive action, not stand back and watch as the children suffer unnecessarily. Secondly, those running this foundation must consider very seriously the commitment made to the children, the morally questionable profits generated for GVN itself and the local partner, through the children. Finally and most importantly GVN Foundation must recognise that a commitment has been made to these children, already abandoned, relinquished, orphaned and pained in their short lives. This commitment must be fulfilled and the children must not be abandoned. Funds intended for the children do not reach them, either in their entirety or at all. Until this is addressed seriously, GVN Foundation does not qualify for a name as a humanitarian or nonprofit organisation, let alone a great one. I remain, as always, very concerned for the children.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Orphanages for children of all ages
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Overhaul, consider the moral and humanitarian obligation to the children, ensure funds intended for them get to them, stop allowing corruption to take place, do not abandon the children as this will cause significant upset, difficulty and deterioration of their lives.
More feedback...
Was your donation impactful?
No
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
No
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
No
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
What specific problem, purpose, priority, or project prompted your gift?
Abandoned and orphaned children living in extreme povetry
Why did you make your donation at this time?
Desperate need
What would you tell others about this organization?
Do not donate, your money may not reach those in need and the organisation has not, despite knowledge of this problem, taken steps to improve and sustain the lives of the children.
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