Frequently asked questions about Family Care Foundation (FCF)

Q: How does Family Care Foundation carry out its mission?

A: To enhance the quality of life of a family, resources and opportunities must be available. While resources and opportunities are readily obtainable in developed nations, the same can be lacking in developing countries. By investing time, training, and funding in the grassroots groups that we identify, FCF is able to deploy these resources where they are most needed and have the biggest impact. As a result of this approach, our global relief and development network, the Mission Support and Humanitarian Services Program (MSHSP) now provides both emergency services and sustained development for communities, families and children in 50 countries.

Q: Why does Family Care Foundation work with grassroots organizations?

A: We have come to realize that the best solutions are developed locally. Many of the great advances that we now take for granted started as grassroots movements. We have found it most effective to leverage local expertise and work through people closest to the action. Our partners, the grassroots organizations themselves, often have the best perspective on the solutions needed, as well as the appropriate means of evaluation. Such organizations can be especially effective where a well-organized local initiative, supported by appropriate funding and training, coupled with capable managers and willing volunteers can have a significant impact on the problem at hand. Furthermore, these organizations can help strengthen civil society in emerging democracies by engaging citizens in democratic processes that help protect public health and welfare at the local, regional and national level.

Q: Where does FCF's funding come from and where does it go?

A: In the wake of 9-11, there is a heightened awareness that much more needs to be done to address global challenges. We believe that developed nations have a special responsibility to address the problems of economic globalization and to improve the quality of life for all families of the global community. The initial financial resources, necessary to make such positive change possible, must come primarily from concerned donors in developed nations. Family Care Foundation was established to enable private foundations, corporate, and individual donors to collaborate with us in support of grassroots organizations in developing countries. We partner with effective programs and make targeted, strategic grants in support of a wide variety of pre-selected budding organizations overseas that can make the most effective use of the resources invested in their work. Our support is often the very first international funding ever received by our grantees. For such entities, grants for basic operational and training costs can build organizational capacity in important ways. The gifts also increase their confidence and enhance their credibility locally, which enables them to become more effective advocates for their causes and better able to obtain increased local support.

Q: What segment of society does Family Care Foundation help?

A: Family Care Foundation strives to respond to all people in need regardless of race, religion, national origin or social position. We cooperate with people and organizations from all cultural, religious and ethnic backgrounds in our efforts to bring relief and hope to those in need.

Q: Why give through Family Care Foundation?

A: While America is an extremely generous nation, it may surprise you to know that only 2% of all U.S. philanthropy is directed to international causes! And only a fraction of those 2 cents of each charitable dollar is invested at the grassroots level addressing the acute needs of people in developing nations. Since all our work is abroad, gifts to FCF are able to meet these needs in an efficient, targeted manner. The public foundation status of Family Care Foundation, our low administrative overhead, and the collaborative structure of FCF's MHSHP, enables private foundations, corporate, and individual donors the opportunity to make international grants without struggling with the issues that often hinder effective international grant making: difficulty in identifying appropriate recipients, evaluating program effectiveness, and high costs and administrative burdens.

In summary:

Family Care Foundation has established a network of effective tried and proven project managers in 50 countries.

  • We work with effective grassroots organizations that are successful at identifying specific local needs and cost-effective methods of dealing with them.
  • Our project managers are tried-and-proven, competent, and experienced in overseas work.
  • These project managers are well connected with local government officials and business leaders. This ensures the effectiveness and relevance of the project to local needs, and helps guarantee sustainability.
  • Mirroring the standard of FCF headquarters, each of our mission partners have very low administrational costs, investing nearly all of the funding they receive from FCF directly in program services, not overhead expenses.
  • FCF represents simplicity and convenience for you, the donor.
  • FCF is experienced in the crucial areas of project identification and selection, as well as monitoring, evaluation, and reporting. We expertly handle all legal and regulatory issues pertaining to international distributions and grant making, including due diligence on beneficiaries, monitoring, reporting, and evaluation.
  • You do not have to worry about making a risky or “bad grant”.
  • You are assured that your gift is being directed to a qualified and effective project that has been pre-screened and is accountable to FCF headquarters, and thus, to the donors.
  • You save the expense, time, trouble, and uncertainty of having to deal directly with overseas projects.
  • You can count on timely, accurate, and comprehensive reporting and evaluations.
  • While our reach is international, our U.S. headquarters is conveniently local.

Family Care Foundation welcomes new donor-partners who wish to join with us in making a difference internationally. Please contact Family Care Foundation at (619) 468-3191 or at fcf@familycare.org.