Global Impact FAQs
How can I give to Global Impact?
What do Global Impact member charities do with my contribution?
Can I specify how I want my gift used?
How does my contribution help overseas? Doesn't the U.S. government give enough support?
Has there been global progress as a result of humanitarian aid programs?
If I can't afford to give a lot, will it still make a difference?
Why is giving to people in developing countries such a wise investment?
Why are global concerns important to Americans?
How much of my gift is spent on administrative costs?
How can I get more information?
What is Global Impact?
Global Impact is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping the poorest people on Earth. Global Impact represents more than 50 of the most respected U.S.-based international charities in workplace giving campaigns across the nation. Each year, Global Impact and its member charities touch more than 400 million lives in virtually every developing country through disaster relief, education, health training and economic programs that promote self-sufficiency.
Global Impact was established in 1956 and has grown over the years to become the nation's recognized leader in raising awareness and funds at the workplace for its member charities. It provides a trustworthy, effective and efficient organization through which Americans can direct their charitable contributions where there is the greatest need. In addition to nearly 50 years of participating in workplace giving campaigns across the nation, Global Impact also manages the two largest workplace giving campaigns in the world. These are the Combined Federal Campaign of the National Capital Area (CFCNCA) in Washington, DC, and the Combined Federal Campaign–Overseas (CFC–O) for all overseas commands of the Department of Defense.
Today, Global Impact provides an opportunity for you to learn about issues facing the world and direct your support to the programs and countries you want to help.
How can I give to Global Impact?
You can support Global Impact and its member charities by donating online. You also may make a contribution to Global Impact or a Global Impact member charity by giving through the payroll deduction system in your annual workplace giving campaign.
What do Global Impact member charities do with my contribution?
Global Impact member charities reach out to millions through humanitarian aid, environmental assistance and economic programs. Member charities serve basic human needs throughout the world: providing nutritious food, clean water, safe shelter and trained medical attention to those people who are most vulnerable. Look up individual member charities you are specifically interested in or find out which member charities work on programs or in countries that interest you.
Can I specify how I want my online gift used?
Yes. Through Global Impact, you can designate a gift to the organization as a whole or to one or more of its member charities. Gifts that are designated to Global Impact as a whole are divided among all member charities. Gifts designated to specific charities are distributed directly to those charities.
How does my contribution help overseas? Doesn't the U.S. government give enough support?
Humanitarian foreign aid provided by the U.S. government amounts to less than 1 percent of the federal budget. That is only a fraction of what people think is spent. Among the top 21 industrialized nations, the U.S. ranks last in terms of the percentage of gross national product spent on humanitarian foreign aid. Your contribution is a personal way to make a difference to a child who is suffering from malnutrition or a community in a time of natural disaster.
Has there been global progress as a result of humanitarian aid programs?
Yes. The international relief and community development work provided by Global Impact member charities is efficient, effective and produces tangible results. For example, over the
last 30 years:
- The percentage of people with access to clean water has doubled.
- The percentage of people living in absolute poverty has been cut in half.
- Smallpox, which historically killed millions of people, has been declared eradicated.
- The number of infant deaths has dropped from 92 in every 1,000 live births to 50 in every 1,000 live births.
- Life expectancy has increased from 41 to 64 years.
- The literacy rate has more than doubled from 35 percent to 77 percent.
How will my donation make a difference?
A small donation can go a long way, particularly when added to the other gifts made through Global Impact. Keep in mind how much farther your gift can go to help people around the world. For examples, see what your dollars can do.
Why is giving to people in developing countries such a wise investment?
Global Impact member charities are guided by the philosophy that to escape severe poverty, people need more than just a handout. They need assistance that will enable them to plan past the crises of disease, starvation and poverty. Only then can they look to a future in our global economy.
For example, the countries that received the most U.S. aid in the 1960s, Brazil, Korea, Taiwan and Turkey, today represent over $100 billion in trade with the U.S. South Korea currently imports three times as much in U.S. goods each year than it received in U.S. aid during the entire decade of the 1960s.
Why are global concerns important to Americans?
Global concerns are important to Americans because we are part of a global community. Worldwide issues and challenges do affect all of us. For example:
- Health. Not only do epidemics weaken the global economy, but complex infections mean high medical costs. Because HIV attacks people in their most economically active years, the developing world could lose millions of its most productive workers and active consumers; one estimate puts the global cost of HIV/AIDS at $500 billion and growing.
- Hunger. Addressing the causes of hunger is cheaper than dealing with its effects when ignored, which results in conflict, famine, environmental decay and refugees.
- Environment. Americans now spend $100 billion a year to curb toxic emissions in the U.S., but within the next 15 years America's air will be polluted by the emissions
of other nations.
How much of my online gift is spent on administrative costs?
Global Impact is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to minimizing its administrative and fundraising expenses. It does not charge membership dues or service fees. Approximately 5.16 percent of Global Impact's fundraising is spent on administrative costs, which is a small fraction of the 35 percent deemed acceptable by the Better Business Bureau. Keeping costs low means more money reaches the people who need it most.
Global Impact's commitment to sound financial management results in excellent ratings including the Charity Navigator Four-Star Rating, for the fifth consecutive year and Seal Holder status from the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance, for the fourth consecutive year.
Can I volunteer?
Yes. There exist various opportunities for you to volunteer with Global Impact.
If you would like to volunteer directly with a Global Impact member charity, decide which member charity, where you would like to volunteer (city, state, nation), what you would like to do and then contact them directly. Using this website, you can view the programs and countries that are a focus of each member charity. Many members' websites provide employment and volunteer information.
How can I get more information?
You can call 800-836-4620 or you can get information via e-mail by contacting Global Impact. Our mailing address is:
Global Impact
66 Canal Center Plaza
Suite 310
Alexandria, VA 22314
Print This Page
Email This Page