text: Ethiopiaid | FAQs
  We've put together a list of some of the questions we get asked most often.
  If you have a question or query that is not detailed below, please contact us, and we will be happy to answer these for you.
  Why should we support projects in Ethiopia?
  No one should live without opportunity and dignity. Ethiopia has come a long way since the famine stricken media coverage of the 1980s but severe poverty and marginalisation remains. Our expertise and focus is Ethiopia, where our partnerships transform the lives of the most vulnerable.
  Many of our supporters choose to support Ethiopiaid alongside causes in the UK that are important to them.
  How do you check that the partners you work with can be trusted?
  Ethiopiaid has worked in Ethiopia since 1989 and many of our trusted partners have been with us for years, even decades. We insist on regular reporting, audited accounts and carry out robust monitoring in person during our annual visits.
  I want to send my donation in the post. How do I do this?
  If you want to make your donation by cheque, please ensure it is made payable to Ethiopiaid. Make sure you include your name and address in the envelope, then send it PO BOX 5168, Bath BA1 0RR.
  If you would like your donation to be earmarked for a specific area of our work, please include this on a note with your cheque.
  Can I donate items like baby blankets, clothes and toys?
  A number of our supporters like to knit and send us blankets and baby clothes. We really appreciate this, but do check with us first to see if more are needed – we have limited space in our suitcases!
  We prefer to help our partners purchase items in Ethiopia, as this supports the local economy.
  If you have changed your name or contact details, please do let us know so that we can update our records. Please contact support@ethiopiaid.org.uk or complete a contact form.
  I feel you are contacting me too much and would like to reduce my mailing frequency. How can I do this?
  If you would like to change your mailings to a frequency that suits you better, please get in touch on support@ethiopiaid.org.uk.
  Please note, Ethiopiaid sends seven mailings per year. If you reduce your mailing frequency, you may not receive information on the topics and projects you're most passionate about.
  If there is a project or topic you're passionate and you are not receiving any information about this, please get in touch.
  Due to our small team, Ethiopiaid cannot cater to bespoke requests outside the frequency options below:
  I am happy to receive all your communications, including fundraising appeals
  I would like to receive your two fundraising newsletters plus two appeals a year
  I would like to receive your two fundraising newsletters a year
  Once a year, at Christmas time
  Please do not contact me for any reason
  Additionally, due to the limitations of our software and to save on costs, we cannot decrease email frequency at this time.
  How much of my money is spent on running costs?
  As of our 2018 annual accounts, for every £1 donated, 20p was spent on fundraising and administration costs.
  Since we were founded in 1989 Ethiopiaid has operated with a small and dedicated team out of donated office space thanks to Reed Specialist Recruitment. We always aim to keep our costs to a minimum. Follow the link to find out more about our costs in our most recent annual accounts
  Fundraising enables us to give a voice to people and partners who might otherwise go unheard. The local organisations we partner with in Ethiopia work hard to reach the most marginalised, the forgotten and the vulnerable. We listen to their voices and provide funding so that they can save lives, transform futures and bring about positive change. Our supporters power this work and help people live better lives every day.
  I am organising a fundraising event, do you have any resources to help?
  Yes! We have lots of materials, posters, donation forms and assistance that we would be happy to share. Please visit Fundraise for Us for downloadable materials available online. If you need more support, please email support@ethiopiaid.org.uk or use our contact form to let us know more about your fundraising idea(s) and requirements.
  We encourage all our fundraisers to use the Ethiopiaid logo.
  Please contact support@ethiopiaid.org.uk to receive a copy for your event.
  Can I invite someone to speak at my school, group or event?
  We do our best to support everyone fundraising for us. Unfortunately, we are a very small team and cannot usually provide a speaker. However, we can send you a presentation and other materials you can use. Please contact support@ethiopiaid.org.uk for more information or complete the contact form at the bottom of our Fundraise for Us page
  Ethiopiaid can reclaim the tax you have paid on your donations (Gift Aid). To qualify, you must have paid income or capital gains tax (in the UK) for each tax year (6 April to 5 April) at least equal to the tax that all the charities or Community Amateur Sports Clubs that you donate to will reclaim on your gifts for that tax year. VAT and Council Tax does not qualify.
  If you are a UK taxpayer, you are eligible to give your donation with Gift Aid. To do so, you must provide us with a Gift Aid declaration form. To find out more about Gift Aid and to complete a Gift Aid declaration please visit our Gift Aid page
  Can I volunteer for you in the UK or in Ethiopia?
  We do not send volunteers overseas. The work we support is managed by local Ethiopian organisations who mostly find the workers they need among the local population.
  Occasionally we need an extra pair of hands to stuff letters in our Bath office. Please get in touch if you can volunteer some time.
  Does Ethiopiaid comply with the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR)? Is my personal information data safe?
  Ethiopiaid fully abides to and complies with the policies outlined in GDPR. Ethiopiaid has a list of policies and procedures in place to comply with GDPR. You can see our privacy statement here.
  It is Ethiopiaid's policy to never sell or swap your details. Your personal information is kept securely on our fully encrypted, Europe-based database or with a UK-based third-party contractor performing a contracted task on our behalf. All third-party contractors abide by our GDPR policy and have demonstrated, as part of their contract, that your data is secure.
  I don't want to hear from Ethiopiaid and would like my data erased.
  We are more than happy to remove your details from our mailing lists. Please note that all mailing list removals may take up to 28 days to complete. Since our mailings are planned six weeks in advance, there is a chance you'll receive one final mailing after cancellation but please rest assured this would be the final one.
  Unfortunately, in most cases we cannot erase your details. We are required to keep all donation and Gift Aid information for seven years. This is covered in the EU GDPR Act Article 6 clause C. However, we can ensure that you will not hear from us in future.
  The care and protection of the vulnerable is our top priority. We believe that regardless of age, gender, disability or ethnic origin that everyone has the right to be protected from all forms of harm, abuse, neglect and exploitation.
  Ethiopiaid's safeguarding policy that is regularly reviewed. Every member of the board, staff, volunteers and anyone working on our behalf, has to commit to our safeguarding policy and code of conduct.
  Our Ethiopian partners have their own safeguarding policies but we insist that they also understand and commit to Ethiopiaid's policies. This is a condition of funding.