Starting a charity

rangers · Jan 14th, 2008, 13:39

Do on your own..with your own eyes..and with a open mind.
Start solo...many will join...people need ur help not organisations..
smiles
Sanjay

mama4us · Jan 14th, 2008, 16:07

Oh don't worry about that one I will be working solo (more or less) - I do have friends coming over as volunteers lined up though, from late this year -all over forty and fit and fantastic!

We were in Goa over the weekend at the new house and it's great - plenty of room and we'll be moving in, in about three or so weeks once we have served out our time of notice at our present apartment in B'lore.

I know of so many charitable organisations here in India being run by foreigners who have just come...and stayed, and given up their lives in the UK and elsewhere and are running very efficiently without registration and the hassles involved - especially the red tape that is SO uneccessary. I do appreciate people like poipleshadow and his/her desire to be legal and operate as a registered organisation, but having seen SO many with a small turnover of funds and doing SUCH sterling work that it's incredible - I only hope I have half the energy that those people have - to all of you - you are great!

poipleshadow · Jan 20th, 2008, 11:30

Mama4us,

If you want to do anything to do with Children in India then Goa really isn't the place... They are so sceptical about the reason why foreigners would come to their country and help children for free, even when you have a licence, so doing something without a licence would be a ill advised, you could get round it if you were helping the children in the slums... but having children come to a house you MUST be careful about. Yu have to get permission from women and child to have an unrelated child stay with you.

An extract from The Goa Children's Act (Updated 2005) :

"No person shall reside with or keep with him, either wholly or partly, one or more children who are not related to him by blood, unless prior permission has been obtained by him from the Director after furnishing due information to the Director in the prescribed form. It shall be the responsibility of such person, desirous to reside with or keep child or children not related to him by blood, to inform the director and to obtain prior written permission from the Director for doing so.]"

[Whoever resides with or keeps with himself one or more children not related to him by blood without the prior written permission of the not related to him by blood without the prior written permission of the Director or whoever prevents officers from discharging their duties under sub-section (6) shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years and to a fine which may extend to Rs. 1,00,000/-. ]

I beleive it's a non-bailable offence too! -

Just to warn you!

poipleshadow · Apr 3rd, 2008, 09:39

Hi Mama4us....

Just wnodered if you wre going to pop in to see us... I had a german couple in two days ago who were hoping to start a charity in Calcutta (which I thought was very brave, especially as they hadn't been thee yet!!!!)... Oh well, how's things going?

Thanks

supergal · May 16th, 2008, 23:21

For Rob (CWT) and others:

Rob, I had written to you via your website sometime in March regarding a music project for street children in Goa that we're starting soon, but have had no reply.

Anyway, that's not the point of this post! We're working on setting up a charity in the UK and India. It seems a lot more straightforward in the UK with all the Charity Commission guidelines that are available. We have assured funding from a funder in the UK but after reading your email, I'm wondering if it is easier to receive funds in the UK charity and then transfer to the Indian one? CWT is a UK charity - does that make things easier?

Any help will be highly appreciated!

Also, I'm finding it hard to find a company that will help us relocate (shipping co.) to Goa. Any leads?

poipleshadow · May 17th, 2008, 11:08

Supergal... I did actually reply, so have sent the reply again, so hopefully it should be 'winging' it's way to your inbox as I type..

UK side of things is so straight forward. Keep things simple with one of their standard formats, I don't think you can go wrong. India on the otherhand is much more complex.

If you're receiving funds from Indian nationals then it doesn't matter where the money comes from, beacuse this is classed as Indian money, however if you are receiving it from Britsh or other nationalities, then it's much more complex.

You have to apply for FCRA approval... If you do a search on 'FCRA NGO India' I'm sure lots of info will come up...

Best of luck

Rob

supergal · May 17th, 2008, 14:33

Hi Robert,
Thanks for forwarding your email. Shame I didn't get it the first time - lovely coincidence to bump into you here! I've replied back to your email just now.

Regarding our charity: we are being funded by a UK charity, so it will be British funds at the moment. They fund similar projects in Africa at the moment and are very enthusiastic about an Indian project.

I've looked at the FCRA links and there is a lot of information available - including forms. Registering the charity and applying for Prior Permission for FCRA will be one of the first things to do, I guess, when we move.

Is registering a charity in Goa straight-forward?

poipleshadow · May 18th, 2008, 21:11

Registering a charity as with most things in Goa is far from straight forward... I try and forget what a pain in the bottom it was... Running here, there, everywhere... visiting over and over again trying to get anything done. All I can say is good luck! Get yourself a VERY good lawyer who know's their stuff. Unfortunately the one we had got promoted into government... So can't help... You can create a trust or a society - depending how many 'trustees' you want... Not sure about the finer differences... then you have to apply for tax excemption etc, nothing is automatic.. There are no help services... and it's a very steep learning curve! When you come over, we'll meet up and talk more... (if you want)

grikoo · May 20th, 2008, 06:03

As poiple keeps pointing out:

FCRA.....FCRA.....FCRA.....FCR A.....

It's important to understand the complications involved in this.

I believe, and PLEASE correct me if I'm wrong, but if you are charging for a service, such as accomodation to volunteers, administrative fees, etc. None of that income falls under the FCRA restrictions. I think this is how many NGO's who have volunteers function outside the FCRA guidelines.

And poiple, if you know I'm curious- Are donations accepted on Indian soil regulated under FCRA? For example, If a tourist gives a donation while in India?

poipleshadow · May 20th, 2008, 09:56

Grikoo...

Luckily we don't charge for accomodation (we get the volunteers to sort that out themselves) or admin fees (we do have a deposit), but this is the UK part of the charity that handles that - so is quite seperate to the Indian side.

Any donation whether on Indian soil or not from a person who is not Indian comes under the FCRA as far as I am aware. So basically tourists (even of Indian origin) can not give before the FCRA is in place. But Indians (who have an Indian passport etc) can give if they live in other countries, they can also give in foreign currency also (as far as I am aware) - because they are essentially Indian.

supergal · May 20th, 2008, 13:51

Thanks, poiple and grikoo for your help. My 'research' indicates that we (our charity) would need to have FCRA registration because our primary funds are (at the moment) from an UK funder. There's no getting around that, I guess.

In Goa, we're in touch with someone who is asking around and will find us an accountant / lawyer experienced in charity matters. Do such people exist ?

grikoo · May 20th, 2008, 23:39

I hate to make wide generalizations like this, but be VERY careful who you decide to work with. Talk to other organizations to verify your lawyers and accountants are legit. Partially due to the absurdities of the Indian beuracracy, many lawyers and accountants simply don't know what they're doing. And many aren't trustworthy either. Make sure you do your research on a person, his family, etc. It's easy to get screwed over and not much you can do about it as a foreigner.

mridula · May 20th, 2008, 23:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by manreet_16

gr8 idea carolina..i know Shanti..I want to be a volunteer there but there is no vacancy now..why dont u start with it..they need no. of things..she is the only person i know..not personally..Sahnti the street kids Links r as follws

www.shanthistreekids.org

I hope u love it..

regards
manreet_16

The site is not loading as of now. I hope it is down only temporarily.

poipleshadow · May 21st, 2008, 09:15

I'm with Grikoo... Be very careful and find ut by yourself first as much as you can then you can spot those who haven't got a clue!!!

)

Nick-H · May 21st, 2008, 11:42

Those who are out to only butter their own ends might be harder to spot

.

Jan 14th, 2008, 16:07	#17
mama4us Heaven's Seat Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Reis Magos - Goa Posts: 32	Oh don't worry about that one I will be working solo (more or less) - I do have friends coming over as volunteers lined up though, from late this year -all over forty and fit and fantastic! We were in Goa over the weekend at the new house and it's great - plenty of room and we'll be moving in, in about three or so weeks once we have served out our time of notice at our present apartment in B'lore. I know of so many charitable organisations here in India being run by foreigners who have just come...and stayed, and given up their lives in the UK and elsewhere and are running very efficiently without registration and the hassles involved - especially the red tape that is SO uneccessary. I do appreciate people like poipleshadow and his/her desire to be legal and operate as a registered organisation, but having seen SO many with a small turnover of funds and doing SUCH sterling work that it's incredible - I only hope I have half the energy that those people have - to all of you - you are great! __________________ As I grow older I don't listen much to what people say anymore, I look at what they do... Andrew Carnegie

Apr 3rd, 2008, 09:39	#19
poipleshadow Help Where You Can... Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Goa Posts: 124	Hi Mama4us.... Just wnodered if you wre going to pop in to see us... I had a german couple in two days ago who were hoping to start a charity in Calcutta (which I thought was very brave, especially as they hadn't been thee yet!!!!)... Oh well, how's things going? Thanks __________________ Rob Trying to make the world a better place is really hard...

May 21st, 2008, 11:42	#30
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 24,220	Those who are out to only butter their own ends might be harder to spot . __________________ . IndiaMike Mod Team (The Grumpy One)

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Jan 14th, 2008, 13:39	#16
rangers Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: India Posts: 450	Do on your own..with your own eyes..and with a open mind. Start solo...many will join...people need ur help not organisations.. smiles Sanjay

Jan 20th, 2008, 11:30	#18
poipleshadow Help Where You Can... Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Goa Posts: 124	Mama4us, If you want to do anything to do with Children in India then Goa really isn't the place... They are so sceptical about the reason why foreigners would come to their country and help children for free, even when you have a licence, so doing something without a licence would be a ill advised, you could get round it if you were helping the children in the slums... but having children come to a house you MUST be careful about. Yu have to get permission from women and child to have an unrelated child stay with you. An extract from The Goa Children's Act (Updated 2005) : "No person shall reside with or keep with him, either wholly or partly, one or more children who are not related to him by blood, unless prior permission has been obtained by him from the Director after furnishing due information to the Director in the prescribed form. It shall be the responsibility of such person, desirous to reside with or keep child or children not related to him by blood, to inform the director and to obtain prior written permission from the Director for doing so.]" [Whoever resides with or keeps with himself one or more children not related to him by blood without the prior written permission of the not related to him by blood without the prior written permission of the Director or whoever prevents officers from discharging their duties under sub-section (6) shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years and to a fine which may extend to Rs. 1,00,000/-. ] I beleive it's a non-bailable offence too! - Just to warn you!

May 16th, 2008, 23:21	#20
supergal Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: UK Posts: 18	For Rob (CWT) and others: Rob, I had written to you via your website sometime in March regarding a music project for street children in Goa that we're starting soon, but have had no reply. Anyway, that's not the point of this post! We're working on setting up a charity in the UK and India. It seems a lot more straightforward in the UK with all the Charity Commission guidelines that are available. We have assured funding from a funder in the UK but after reading your email, I'm wondering if it is easier to receive funds in the UK charity and then transfer to the Indian one? CWT is a UK charity - does that make things easier? Any help will be highly appreciated! Also, I'm finding it hard to find a company that will help us relocate (shipping co.) to Goa. Any leads?

May 17th, 2008, 11:08	#21
poipleshadow Help Where You Can... Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Goa Posts: 124	Supergal... I did actually reply, so have sent the reply again, so hopefully it should be 'winging' it's way to your inbox as I type.. UK side of things is so straight forward. Keep things simple with one of their standard formats, I don't think you can go wrong. India on the otherhand is much more complex. If you're receiving funds from Indian nationals then it doesn't matter where the money comes from, beacuse this is classed as Indian money, however if you are receiving it from Britsh or other nationalities, then it's much more complex. You have to apply for FCRA approval... If you do a search on 'FCRA NGO India' I'm sure lots of info will come up... Best of luck Rob

May 17th, 2008, 14:33	#22
supergal Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: UK Posts: 18	Hi Robert, Thanks for forwarding your email. Shame I didn't get it the first time - lovely coincidence to bump into you here! I've replied back to your email just now. Regarding our charity: we are being funded by a UK charity, so it will be British funds at the moment. They fund similar projects in Africa at the moment and are very enthusiastic about an Indian project. I've looked at the FCRA links and there is a lot of information available - including forms. Registering the charity and applying for Prior Permission for FCRA will be one of the first things to do, I guess, when we move. Is registering a charity in Goa straight-forward?

May 18th, 2008, 21:11	#23
poipleshadow Help Where You Can... Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Goa Posts: 124	Registering a charity as with most things in Goa is far from straight forward... I try and forget what a pain in the bottom it was... Running here, there, everywhere... visiting over and over again trying to get anything done. All I can say is good luck! Get yourself a VERY good lawyer who know's their stuff. Unfortunately the one we had got promoted into government... So can't help... You can create a trust or a society - depending how many 'trustees' you want... Not sure about the finer differences... then you have to apply for tax excemption etc, nothing is automatic.. There are no help services... and it's a very steep learning curve! When you come over, we'll meet up and talk more... (if you want)

May 20th, 2008, 06:03	#24
grikoo Disclaimer- He who knows not what he speaks of Join Date: May 2008 Location: Here Posts: 435	As poiple keeps pointing out: FCRA.....FCRA.....FCRA.....FCR A..... It's important to understand the complications involved in this. I believe, and PLEASE correct me if I'm wrong, but if you are charging for a service, such as accomodation to volunteers, administrative fees, etc. None of that income falls under the FCRA restrictions. I think this is how many NGO's who have volunteers function outside the FCRA guidelines. And poiple, if you know I'm curious- Are donations accepted on Indian soil regulated under FCRA? For example, If a tourist gives a donation while in India?

May 20th, 2008, 09:56	#25
poipleshadow Help Where You Can... Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Goa Posts: 124	Grikoo... Luckily we don't charge for accomodation (we get the volunteers to sort that out themselves) or admin fees (we do have a deposit), but this is the UK part of the charity that handles that - so is quite seperate to the Indian side. Any donation whether on Indian soil or not from a person who is not Indian comes under the FCRA as far as I am aware. So basically tourists (even of Indian origin) can not give before the FCRA is in place. But Indians (who have an Indian passport etc) can give if they live in other countries, they can also give in foreign currency also (as far as I am aware) - because they are essentially Indian.

May 20th, 2008, 13:51	#26
supergal Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: UK Posts: 18	Thanks, poiple and grikoo for your help. My 'research' indicates that we (our charity) would need to have FCRA registration because our primary funds are (at the moment) from an UK funder. There's no getting around that, I guess. In Goa, we're in touch with someone who is asking around and will find us an accountant / lawyer experienced in charity matters. Do such people exist ?

May 20th, 2008, 23:39	#27
grikoo Disclaimer- He who knows not what he speaks of Join Date: May 2008 Location: Here Posts: 435	I hate to make wide generalizations like this, but be VERY careful who you decide to work with. Talk to other organizations to verify your lawyers and accountants are legit. Partially due to the absurdities of the Indian beuracracy, many lawyers and accountants simply don't know what they're doing. And many aren't trustworthy either. Make sure you do your research on a person, his family, etc. It's easy to get screwed over and not much you can do about it as a foreigner.

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May 21st, 2008, 09:15	#29
poipleshadow Help Where You Can... Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Goa Posts: 124	I'm with Grikoo... Be very careful and find ut by yourself first as much as you can then you can spot those who haven't got a clue!!! )