Education Generation

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The following are the most frequently asked questions about Education Generation. If you have a question that is not listed here, or would like more information, please contact us at info@educationgeneration.org.

1. Why Education?

Education is one of the most powerful tools at our disposal to permanently break the cycle of poverty and to empower communities. Education provides the tools for youth to recognize and harness their own potential, opening doors to healthier communities, better employment opportunities, and greater understanding both locally and globally.

Helping one child attain the skills, knowledge, choices and opportunities gained from education can make a meaningful difference in the life of entire families, and indeed communities. These benefits can be seen for generations, and so access for an entire generation of children is the most sure-fire way we can think of to create a better future for all of us.
2. Who are you guys?

Check out the About Us section!
3. Why Dandelions?

We see education as akin to a seeding dandelion, each child with access to education creating further opportunities in their communities that spread like dandelion seeds in the wind.

Dandelions are often seen as weeds, hard to discourage and spreading at every opportunity. Education can do the same, building resiliency in young people who in turn empower others in their communities. Education spreading like a weed –something we could all be proud of, and something well within our reach.
4. Where do you find students?

Education Generation does not find individual students ourselves. We rely on partner organizations already working in communities to identify students in need of support.
5. How do you select partners?

We seek established partners already providing student scholarship opportunities in the developing world. Partners must have a documented record of effective impact, be able to provide evidence of legal operations in the countries they work in, and are evaluated for financial performance and program effectiveness. Education Generation does not directly monitor partners' on the ground programs, though we seek to evaluate partners and their effectiveness as closely as possible on an ongoing basis.
6. I know a great organization, can they become an Education Generation partner?

We would love to hear about them! As we grow, we will post information in our Partners section on how to become a partner organization.
7. Where does my money go?

100% of the money donated (after PayPal transaction costs) will be forwarded to pay for the student's education this year. We use no portion for our own admin, marketing or other costs, outside of what we must pay PayPal to process the online transactions.

Costs generally cover tuition and/or ancillary costs acting as a barrier to further education for the selected student (ie. transportation, books, medical costs). The exact costs covered per scholarship are identified to the best of our ability within each partner profile, found in our Partners section, or can be found on the partner's websites. You have the opportunity to examine each program partner and Education Generation simply acts as a facilitator, matching donors with programs in this process.
8. Do I need a PayPal account to donate?

No, you can pay by credit card through PayPal's website, even if you don't have a PayPal account. In order to keep our administration costs as low as possible we are only able to accept cheque donations of $500 or more. Please contact us to make arrangements in this case.
9. What fees does paypal charge?

It costs approximately 4% of each donation to process the transaction with PayPal. This is the most cost effective and efficient solution available, and is an expense that partner organizations would have to pay directly if they were processing the donation online.
10. Was my transaction successful?

When you successfully complete a transaction, you receive an email receipt confirming your purchase from PayPal. This receipt contains a transaction ID that will be referenced in your Education Generation Transaction History and also includes students who you have donated to. You can log into your Account at any time to view your transaction history or to view the scholarships to which you contributed.
11. What happens if a student doesn't finish their year of study?

Our partners strive to select the most dedicated and motivated students, those truly driven to succeed and facing the barrier of financial access. Given this, if unforeseen circumstances force a student to discontinue their education funds will not be returned to donors. Often fees are paid up front for the year and would be forfeited in this case. Any remaining funds will be used to support another student for the balance of the year if possible. If not possible, they will remain with the partner organization to support the work they do in local communities.
12. What happens if the student I support isn't completely funded?

In any case where a student does not receive the necessary funding before the deadline, Education Generation will:

a) Ask the partner organization if they are able to supplement funding to ensure this student can attend school this term. If not,

b) Amalgamate funding within that partner's students to fund the maximum number of students at the partner imposed deadline. If residual funding remains,

c) Re-allocate residual funds to any other student, based on urgency of their funding status.

Education Generation will only re-allocate funds between students in the circumstances described above, and we will strive to notify donors of any re-allocation of their funding to another student.
13. Can you support a student I know personally?

Education Generation works directly with experienced partners who are familiar with the local environment and education system in the communities they support. In relying on these qualified partners, we do not independently select or support individual students, nor do we directly deliver sponsorship.
14. Does any part of my donation go to Education Generation administration or marketing costs?

No. 100% of student scholarship donations (after PayPal transaction fees) are delivered to the partner organizations and these funds are earmarked for direct student support. Education Generation is a grassroots organization and supporters have an opportunity to add an amount of their choosing to help ensure we can continue providing these scholarship opportunities. These donations are not mandatory, but are very much appreciated! If you're inspired, you can support us anytime by making a Donation!
15. Where do you support students?

Check out our section for a list of partners and where they operate.
16. Can I volunteer with Education Generation?

We’re always looking for help, drop us a line at volunteer@educationgeneration.org. As we identify specific roles to be filled they can be found in the Do More section.
17. Does Education Generation provide tax receipts for donations?

Donations will not receive tax receipts during this launch phase of Education Generation.
18. I don’t want to include my personal information, can I donate anonymously?

Sure! When registering a profile there is an option to register anonymously. We will not share your info with anyone and your name will not appear in your profile.

We are striving to build a community of those supporting education and so encourage people to include as much information as they are comfortable with.
19. What does Education Generation do with my information?

We do not share your information with ANYONE, outside of what is necessary to complete donation transactions with PayPal. Please read our privacy agreement for more info!
20. How do I purchase a gift card?

Just follow this link and follow the instructions on the gift card page!
21. How does my recipient receive and use their card?

In the purchase process you may decide whether to have the card emailed to your recipient today, or you may opt to email or print and deliver it at a later date yourself (in which case it will just be emailed to you today).

Your recipient will need your email address and the unique code on the card you give them (and to create an account if they have not already) - once redeemed the amount will be credited to their account. They may then apply this amount to any scholarship they wish!
22. May I transfer a received gift card to someone else?

As long as the person redeeming the card has the email of the purchaser, and the unique code, anyone with an Education Generation account can redeem the card.
23. Is there an expiry date on my gift card?

There is no official expiry on your gift card, but if a card is not used within 18 months, and we cannot contact the purchaser or recipient, we reserve the right to apply this amount to our operating expenses.