Supporters' FAQs
MAKING A DONATION
I am having a problem using the online donation page, what shall I do?
Please note the point at which you are experiencing a problem and the error message you are receiving and contact us. We can help resolve the problem or if you prefer you can donate over the phone using your card.
Can I donate over the phone or by post?
Yes, you can call us on 020 7394 9322 to make a donation or set up a Direct Debit. Alternatively you can send cheques or postal orders made payable to CARE International UK to Donor Services, CARE International UK, FREEPOST LON15656, SE1 0YW. We do not advise sending cash in the post.
Do you accept donations from CAF accounts?
Yes, please see our CAF cards and vouchers page. Alternatively you can call us on 020 7394 9322 to make a CAF donation or you can send CAF cheques made payable to CARE International UK, FREEPOST LON15656, SE1 0YW.
Can I donate for a specific item, e.g. buy a goat?
Yes - visit our I CARE gifts catalogue, where you are able to give some of the poorest people the things they need most, by buying I CARE gifts for people you love. We have an exciting range of 18 gifts to choose from, including a life-saving goat, training for a teacher and disease prevention kits. I’m sure your friends and relatives will be pleased to know their gift will make a lasting difference to a poor family’s life. Please visit the shop at www.caregifts.org.uk
Can I sponsor a child through CARE?
CARE doesn’t run a child sponsorship scheme, our projects try to improve the conditions of whole communities, including children and adults. We don’t want to single out individual children which could cause inequality and tensions between them and their peers. It would also cost us a considerable amount to keep donors up to date with information from the child. Instead you might like to sign up to a regular gift, which will help whole communities.
If you prefer to receive updates about one particular child and community you can become part of our 'CARE for the Child' scheme. Your donation of £10 each month will go towards helping poor children and communities all over the world, but through CARE for the Child, you will have the unique opportunity to see how your support is changing the life of just one child - Paulina in Zambia.
OTHER WAYS TO SUPPORT CARE
How can my company support CARE?
There are lots of ways – from entering a team in a challenge event, to featuring a donation banner when we have an emergency appeal, or setting up a payroll giving scheme. Visit our company pages for more information.
How can I organise a fundraising or sponsored event for CARE?
CARE welcomes individual fundraising efforts and can give you advice on how to make your event a success. You can even set up your own web page for your friends to sponsor you online! Please look at the Get Involved section on the website for ideas and tips or contact us for more information.
What events does CARE run that I can get involved with?
There are many ways that you can get involved with CARE, from entering a marathon to trekking through Egypt, to climbing the Three Peaks. Look at the CARE Challenge website section for different ways you can get involved.
CHANGING YOUR DETAILS
How can I update the details you have about me, such as my name or address?
Please contact us, making sure you tell us the name, address and postcode we currently have so that we can find your details and update them.
I have a Direct Debit with CARE, how can I change the details?
Please contact us, making sure you tell us your name, address and postcode so that we can find your details and update them.
How can I change the email address you have for me?
Please contact us, remembering to give the exact email address we currently have.
I have signed up for CARE’s eBulletin but have not received it, what should I do?
Our ebulletin is sent out once each month. If you sign-ed up more than a month ago and have not received an ebulletin yet, you may need to add our email address to your address book, or safe senders list. If you have already done this, please contact us – remembering to include your email address so we can look into the problem.
GENERAL
Can I send goods overseas through CARE?
CARE no longer accepts donated goods as experience has shown that this is usually not cost effective, creates logistical difficulties and often is not the most relevant way to meet local needs. Wherever possible, CARE buys goods as close as possible to where they are needed in order to save costs in storage and transportation. This also helps build up the businesses of local suppliers. If you would like to help, we ask you to send a cash donation, which can then be used to purchase what is most needed in the region concerned. If you wish to give money to a particular emergency, you can select this option when you donate. Donate online.
Can I visit CARE projects?
We sometimes get requests from people who would like to visit CARE projects, maybe while they are travelling or on holiday in the region. However, our field staff have busy schedules working on their projects. If asked to host a visit they are often too polite to refuse, but this will distract them from more urgent activities that ultimately will affect the impact and cost-effectiveness of our work with poor people. For this reason CARE International UK does not ask project staff to receive visitors except as part of an organised visit that fits in with the project activities. If you are interested in visiting a project in Peru you may like to look at 'CARE Corps,' run by CARE USA, which recruits volunteers to work on projects in Peru for 3 weeks. There is information about this scheme on CARE USA's website.
Why do you employ street and door fundraisers?
One of the most cost effective ways we have of recruiting new supporters is by talking to people face to face - either on the street or at their door. CARE works with fundraising agencies called 'Gift', 'Dialogue Direct UK' and 'Home' who undertake this work for us. All members of the fundraising team wear clothing bearing the CARE logo and carry ID badges. They also carry a letter from CARE stating that they are paid to recruit new supporters on our behalf and a copy of the professional fundraising code of conduct to which they must adhere.
The recruiters do not accept cash or cheques, and those who are interested in supporting us are invited to give via Direct Debit. The fundraisers themselves do not get paid on a commission basis but are paid a salary. This ensures that those recruiting on behalf of CARE focus on the quality of their work rather than on the quantity recruited. Please feel free to contact us if you have any further questions about our fundraising.
Is CARE a member of the Fundraising Standards Board (FRSB)?
Yes CARE is a member of the FRSB, you can view our fundraising promise and our complaints procedure here.
How do I go about making a complaint?
You can write to Supporter Services, CARE International, 10-13 Rushworth Street, London SE1 0RB and we promise to respond to your complaint within 14 days of receiving your complaint. If you are not satisfied with our response you may want to take your complaint to the Fundraising Standards Board
Get Involved
