Yes you can sign up and volunteer your information with the reason you need the funds for. However, in order to be as fair to all as possible, we design programs to help the needy based on a systematic and proactive set of criteria that vary from region to region, and select recipients using have our unbiased computer algorithms randomly from the many inbound applications that qualify for the purpose of the fund. We may seek additional proof that you are who you say you are and your needs are indeed verifiable such as SNAP/EBT cards, Death certificates, proof of hardship etc., to qualify for grants from our disaster, Pandamic or emergency hardship programs and funds
We aim to find the poorest possible recipients while using criteria that are simple, fair, cost-effective, and difficult to game.
We use a range of identification methods, including obtaining lists from partners (gov’ts, NGOs, or community-based organizations) or partnering with apps, or requesting the applicants for proof of their income, or the type of dwelling they live, or proof of their hardships. Once pool all the lists and applications received for a particular program, our unbiased computer algorithms choose random recipients from the pool for cash transfers. The number of recipients selected depends on various factors including the amount of funds available for that particular program
Our help is based on the need of the hour and not based on gender. We give money to all who need help the most that qualify the stringent criteria that our Board has laid out while they roll out the programs with a goal to help the poorest of poor or the hardest hit. Overall, we believe that people hit by hardships use money responsibly. We let households decide on a case-by-case basis which adult to enroll. Their decisions are usually driven by convenience – for example, one parent may already have the official IDs needed to to apply for and receive the grant. Our goal is to get relief to the deserving as quickly and simply possible while ensuring the the needed documentation and verification and randomization in selection is taken care of
For one-time large grant programs, we typically send each recipient household roughly US $250. But the actual amount and the actual number of recipients depends on the generosity of the donors.
No. But they need to have access to a device so they may submit request for grants/funds and so they can check any status. They also need to have bank account to receive the funds either a bank cheque or via GooglePay
In our default program, we provide a one-time transfer paid in multiple installments. In other programs, such as COVID-19 relief or basic income, we deliver cash as multiple smaller payments. We tell recipients exactly how much they should expect to receive and what the timeline will look like during the enrollment process before transfers are sent.
We provide a variety of ways for the recipient to receive the payment, including a deposit into an existing bank account, a mailed prepaid card, MoneyGram, GooglePay, or PayPal. For those who receive payments, the goal is to transfer the money as quickly as possible. In each case, we either collect account information from recipients (if they are already enrolled) or walk them through the process of opening accounts, which may include obtaining appropriate identification documents. When we transmit electronic money to the recipient’s account, they receive a text message notifying them that they have been paid. Recipients can then exchange their mobile money for physical cash anywhere in the Processor network of mobile money agents. Agents are often local shopkeepers, but can also be petrol stations, supermarkets, courier companies, cyber cafes, and even banks and ATM machines. Recipients can also use their money to directly pay merchants who accept it as a form of payment.
We currently work in Virginia, USA.
We aim to deliver programs in the United States and launch a U.S. coronavirus response fund.
We may consider working in additional countries only if and when there is a strong argument that we can increase our impact by enough to justify the fixed setup costs.
Typically, very positively. We take our relationships with local government seriously, obtaining the necessary approvals at each level as need be.
The three main corruption risks that typically arise in transfer programs involve (a) handpicking recipients from the pool of applicants with bias and not being transparent about who received the grants (b) diversion of transfers sent to eligible recipients (c) not being transparent about donor contributions. We address the first through a comprehensive audit process, using multiple independent checks to ensure that the unbiased computer algorithms have produced results that cannot be manipulated . These checks include verifying reports and log files of the computer by senior management, remote data audits, and phone calls with each recipient, all prioritized using modern analytics. We address the second through identity-matching between our records and those of our payment providers, through comprehensive follow-up calls to ensure money is reaching the intended recipients. We address the third by being transparent with all our transactions using simple ‘Cash’ accounting and displaying the transactions on a near real time (within 45 days) on our website for all to see.
By design, cash transfers let recipients use money for whatever is most important to them. See our website for a frequent updates on how cash is being spent in real time – as and when grants are made to the households and as and when our teams collect information on the spend.
There is no evidence that Victims and household members of sudden financial hardships due to Pandemic, disaster, or emergency hardships use emergency fund for alcohol or tobacco. On the contrary, cash transfers are used for essential needs. For selected programs, as need be, per the decision of the Board, we may require the recipients to pass drug tests before release of funds.
Usually when the word “sustainable” is applied to charity, it means that a gift “keeps on giving” and that donors need not continue to make gifts to the same recipient. Since many American Affinity grant recipients use some or all of the money to help them cross the sudden hardships to get back on their feet, many grants are hence “sustainable.”
Not all recipients will be able to get back on their feet immediately for example kids who are orphaned due to the hardships created as a result of death of their caregivers and hence the money will be gone once it is spent. Donors who prefer to give a gift that is guaranteed to be sustainable in the sense that it will provide a steady income stream to the needy can do so. One easy option is for the donor to invest a gift themselves and donate the annual interest, effectively creating an endowment.
We choose to provide unconditional, rather than conditional, cash transfers for two reasons. First, empowering the individuals and households facing hardships to make their own decisions advances our core value of respect. Second, imposing conditions requires costly monitoring and enforcement structures be put in place. One detailed estimate put the administrative costs of a conditional cash transfer scheme as high as 63% of the transfers made over the first three years of the program (Caldes, Natalia, and John Maluccio. “The Costs of Conditional Cash Transfers.” Journal of International Development 17 pp. 151-168, 2005).
No. We do not make loans of any kind to loans or cash advances to anyone.
Coming soon – Live, unfiltered, honest thoughts from our Organization, donors, and recipients and the opt-in process for recipients.
Help us spread the word about American Affinity’s mission to help directly when the need is most urgent. Have conversations with friends and family, consider sharing our emails and social media posts.
Organize an awareness event via your workplace, school, religious community, etc. If you are interested in organizing a fundraising activity or campaign, we’d love to hear from you.
Stay updated on our work via email, our blog, Facebook, or Twitter.
Potentially. We partner with select organizations to promote cash transfers, deliver transfers to specific target populations, generate new evidence on impacts, etc. Contact us at secretary@americanaffnity.org with a description of what you have in mind.
Please contact us at secretary@americanaffinity.org explaining how you’d like to use it, and we’ll evaluate requests on a case-by-case basis.
Several ways: sign up to get occasional updates by email and follow us on Twitter or Facebook.
No. We generally do not host volunteers, but encourage you to apply to our general interest opening so that we have your name on file.
No. Currently our Board and Officers are supporting the organization.
No; we let donors choose which programs to donate to, but not individual recipients. Practically speaking, if we did the latter we would risk being regulated as a money transfer service and losing our charitable status. Philosophically, we aim to target the poorest possible recipients, and not those with compelling profiles or narratives. Finally, it keeps costs down.
If you’d like to get a better sense of how your donation is impacting recipients check out AANow! Create an account and “follow” recipients. That will allow you to see how recipients are using the money as they receive each payment, and how it’s affecting their lives. A lot of our donors have reported that AANow gives them a feeling of closer connection to the individuals they’re helping.
For our standard one-time transfer programs, we enroll the recipient who will receive your donation within a few months of the gift and deliver the money within another few months. For special projects or studies, the lag may be a bit longer depending on coordination with the research team, fundraising needs, or other constraints.
Currently, we are in the process of getting certified as a tax-exempt organization. Donation made before our request is approved by IRS may or may not be tax deductable. We understand that you wish to save on taxes while supporting cause that is close to your heart.
United States: EIN is 86-3845836
DoubleTheDonation offers a helpful search to see if your employer will match donations to American Affinity. If you can’t find us there, consider making a suggestion at your company.
To update or cancel your monthly donation, please fill out this form. Once we have completed your request we will send an email confirmation. Please allow 48 hours for requests made outside of business hours.
To make changes to your payment method for your monthly donation we will need to cancel your current donation and have you begin a new donation from scratch. It’s quick and easy! If you’d like to proceed, please fill out this form. Once we have completed your request, you’ll receive an email confirmation. (Please allow up to 48 hours for any requests made outside of business hours.)
To make a tax-deductible donation of publicly traded stocks to American Affinity, you can transfer the shares to our brokerage account.
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To provide our team with your gift designation and tax receipt information, please email secretary@americanaffinity.org
To donate mutual fund shares please email secretary@americanaffinity.org with the following information, which you can find by contacting your brokerage:
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You can give via both check and wire transfer. To give to a specific sub campaign you will need to email us at secretary@americanaffinity.org so we can allocate your donation correctly.
Our bank account details for sending a wire or ACH transfer are as follows:
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Yes. We accept BTC and ETH/ERC20 on our donation page.
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American Affinity was founded by Krishna Tejo, who is currently studying on a medical track with a background in computer and data science. Krishna has been looking for ways to give back to her community and provide meaningful and immediate relief, especially during COVID-19. She found that cash transfers had a strong evidence base, and that the rapid growth of mobile payments technology in emerging markets had opened the door to delivering cash transfers securely and efficiently on an unprecedented scale. She created American Affinity in 2021 with like minded leaders in the community.
We manage the transfer process from end-to-end ourselves. In the majority of programs, The needy apply on our website. . At times, for humanitarian response programs, we work with external partners to quickly identify and reach recipients in need. We may partner with other organizations to increase awareness about our work.
We currently do not accept public support for our fundraising and outreach work. These functions are currently funded by the generosity a smaller group of private donors that include the Board.
Please spread the mission of American Affinity – talk to friends about whether they give money directly to those who need urgent help due to . Starting that conversation is a huge step toward. Second, create a fundraiser for American Affinity on Facebook, a quick and easy way to reach out to your network. If Facebook does not work for you, you can also use your own fundraiser tool.