About Hope for Humanity
Hope for Humanity name and concept started in 2003. It is meant to be a group effort, to help with humanitarian causes as directly as possible, using the ideas, skills and labor from all of us combined. This concept started with an idea to collect a suggested amount of $200 from each participant to put into a pool, to be used to support various worthy causes through organizations that deal with humanitarian issues. At that time, we happened to realize that there was a non-profit organization, “Pravasa Foundation,” that was started by Dr. Subash Duggirala, whom we have known for many years. When we approached him with our idea, he kindly agreed to our proposal to maintain a separate sub-group under the name “Hope for Humanity” within Pravasa Foundation. That’s how “Hope for Humanity” was started. Since January 2007, Hope for Humanity, Inc is registered as a separate entity with State ofMaryland as a non-profit organization. Since all of us have a moral obligation to help the needy to whatever extent we can, we felt we could achieve that goal more successfully with this group concept. Our mission is to research, discover and fund various worthy causes both in India and the U.S., since there is a great need in both places.
A few friends in the past have asked how Hope for Humanity differs from other charity organizations, and “What is meant by helping as ‘directly as possible’?” These are good and valid questions. First of all, 100% of the money received from donor’s stays in the Hope for Humanity account. When we solicit funds, we ask our donors to specify on the memo to let us know which worthy cause they wish to donate to. Then, the process of directly helping begins, by learning about a worthwhile project that may be ongoing within an existing organization. We learn about the organization, and the social workers involved in a project. We then communicate with them and request a detailed proposal explaining how they would use our funds. Additionally, any of us who make visits to India from time to time can obtain additional feedback by visiting these sites, and then let others know how well we are doing.
This direct approach gives us the comfort of knowing how our funds are being used and reduces our apprehension, which seems to be another major concern for many. As far as the causes we support here in US, once a year, either we can go directly to places like soup kitchens, or homeless shelters to prepare food or deliver sandwiches, or visit schools in the DC area to deliver school supplies to low income school children, etc. We also support a few programs related to cancer research with the hope of finding permanent cure, by participating in various walks that takes place in DC area. As a group, the possibilities of helping those most needy are unlimited. Lately, we are encouraging young professionals and youth to join, and form their own group to share their own ideas, by volunteering a small amount of their time once a year, and to increase awareness among their friends to help in such causes through Hope For Humanity. As you know, these young people are our future.
Finally, the willingness to be a part of our group must be within you, which is why we are growing bigger and better. We are only here to request and create some interest, and encourage you to join our group effort, but not to impose upon you. This mission is for all of us to share equally. So, please come forward with your ideas, and discuss openly how we can be most effective in helping others as a group. We are here with our open minds and to learn more from you.
THANK YOU ALL SINCERELY FOR JOINING HANDS TOGETHER.
Hope for Humanity is exempt from Federal Income Tax under section 501(c) (3)
of the Internal Revenue Code, Employer Identification # 42-172-1366