General Information
Contact Information
By email:
By phone: (202) 737-7705
By fax: (202) 737-7709
By mail:
Women for Women International
4455 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Suite 200
Washington, DC 20008
Mission Statement
Women for Women International provides women survivors of war, civil strife and other conflicts with the tools and resources to move from crisis and poverty to stability and self-sufficiency, thereby promoting viable civil societies.
Vision Statement
Women for Women International envisions a world where no one is abused, poor, illiterate or marginalized; where members of communities have full and equal participation in the processes that ensure their health, well-being and economic independence; and where everyone has the freedom to define the scope of their life, their future and strive to achieve their full potential.
Our Core Values and Beliefs
Equality: All people are free and equal in dignity and rights: civil, political, social, economic and cultural.
Empowerment: The women who we assist are the leaders in their own lives. Tools are provided for each woman to rebuild her life.
Respect: The women we support choose their own value system. Options are presented to each woman but she is responsible for her own choice.
Diversity: Women are not simply refugees or victims of war but are survivors and individuals. No two women require the same support to heal, and no two societies can be rebuilt in the same way. Communication among women of varied backgrounds, national origins, race, and religion – both those who need assistance and those who offer it – must honor each other’s differences.
Investment: The one-on-one approach deals with macro issues through micro solutions. By strengthening local chapters we attempt to build or strengthen civil society in the countries where we work.
In which countries does Women for Women International operate?
Women for Women International currently operates in Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Iraq, Kosovo (in the former Federal Republic of Yugoslavia), Nigeria, Rwanda and Sudan. Women for Women International also has worked in Bangladesh, Croatia and Pakistan.
Are women put at risk by participating in Women for Women International's programs?
In order to best serve our participants, Women for Women International works to ensure the safety of its overseas staff and its participants by closely monitoring security situations in the communities, regions and countries where it works on a day-to-day basis. Each office is staffed with its own security officer who helps evaluate the situation and can accompany staff into the field if necessary. The organization will work with participants to ensure they are able to safely participate in the program and will help them find resources to address any personal safety issues.
Before establishing our programs in a community, Women for Women International staff conducts outreach to local political, religious and civil society leaders to explain the benefits of the program. The organization also holds public meetings to answer questions any community member may have. This community outreach lets citizens know that Women for Women International will be invested in their community and will help the community as a whole. This cooperation is an important step in establishing safe, effective offices overseas.
How does Women for Women International decide where to expand its programs and services?
Women for Women International utilizes four criteria when determining how and when to expand its programs to new areas of operation. The organization seeks to work: 1) in conflict or post-conflict countries or regions; 2) where women are disproportionately affected by war and violence; 3) where these women's needs are not being met and the organization's programs can fill a critical gap in services; and 4) when the organization has the resources to launch and sustain a program that can grow and expand over time to meet the long-term needs of women survivors of war.
How effective are Women for Women International's programs?
Women for Women International's strategy promotes rights-based development by supporting women as they take control in rebuilding their lives and generating economic sustainability in their communities. Its multi-phase approach incorporates direct aid, emotional support, skills training, rights education, leadership training, microenterprise and small business development. Underlying all program activities is the idea that women will advance from victim to survivor to becoming active, self-assured members of their communities. With support from individuals like you, we were able to reach these notable achievements:
• Linked more than 120,000 women survivors of war with sponsors worldwide.
• Facilitated the translation and exchange of thousands of letters of support between sponsors and sponsored women.
• Enrolled and graduated more than 93,000 women in the organization's Renewing Life Skills for Women (ReneWLS) leadership and rights awareness education training program.
• Helped thousands of women secure employment and establish their own income-
generating businesses.
• Distributed more than $33 million in direct aid and microcedit loans, maintaining a 99% repayment rate on all loans.
• Facilitated hundreds of group therapy sessions for war survivors by providing a venue for women to share their experiences and feelings and build bridges between women survivors of different ethnic backgrounds.
Sponsorship
For more information about the Sponsorship Program please see the Sponsorship Community.
Why has my credit card been charged or have I received a monthly commitment statement, but haven't received information about my new sister?
Between the 5th and 10th days of the month we match all new sponsors with their sisters and charge their credit cards or send out statements, accordingly. Because we more than doubled our sponsorship base in January 2005, it takes approximately a month to generate the letters with your sister's biographical information. If you notice that your credit card has been charged by Women for Women International, or if you receive a statement from us, please count on receiving your new sponsor packet—complete with a letter about your sister, a sponsorship handbook, and information about your sister's country—before the end of that same month. If you should not receive this information, please contact a sponsorship coordinator at  for assistance.
In what countries is sponsorship offered?
Sponsorship is currently offered in Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Iraq, Kosovo, Nigeria, Rwanda and Sudan.
How do I sponsor a woman?
The Sponsorship Program links women from all over the world with women in Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Iraq, Kosovo, Nigeria, Rwanda and Sudan, who have survived war and violence. Individual sponsorships are a direct, personal, hands-on way for women in the US and elsewhere to help marginalized women in post-conflict countries. The sponsor provides $27 in monthly financial support that provides direct financial aid, training and other services to women survivors of war. In addition, the sponsor and the woman exchange letters. For a woman who may have lost everything or who feels isolated from the world, letters of support and encouragement help renew her hope for a better future. For more information on how to sponsor today, click here.
Why haven't I received a letter from my sister?
In some cases, your sponsored sister may choose not to write. As you know, the women in the Sponsorship Program are dealing with multiple hardships that may not allow them the time or energy to write to you. Some are suffering from depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Your sister may be unable to write for these or other reasons. Please do not stop writing. Your letters do help, and in time, your sister may write back. Remember that even if you are not getting letters, your sponsored sister receives your letters and contributions, which our representatives deliver every month. For more information on letters, please see the letters section of the Sponsorship Community.
Can I sponsor a woman if I live outside of the United States?
If you live outside the U.S., you may sponsor a woman, but your donations must be paid in U.S. dollars.
I want to support women directly, but do not want to write letters. How can I help?
You can also support women by making a general donation in any dollar amount. Your support allows us to provide women with rights awareness training, access to leadership development seminars, obtain vocational skills training and engage in community-based income-generating projects. In Afghanistan, for example, these donations helped start a bakery to provide training and income-generating opportunities to women in Kabul. In Colombia, women are receiving training on entrepreneurship and developing business plans for community-based businesses; your support provides women entrepreneurs with the necessary seed funding to start their own businesses. Support these programs and more, visit our Donate Now page.
I pay by credit card. Will I receive a statement?
In order to direct the most funds to women in need, Women for Women International does not send a commitment statement to each sponsor who pays automatically via credit card each month. You will be notified by email each month when your card has been charged, or if we are having difficulty applying payments to your account. If you pay by credit card, but do not have a valid email address, you will receive a commitment statement in the mail. To stop payments to your credit card please provide 30 days notice to our Financial Coordinator at  or at (202) 737-7705.
Why do I keep receiving statements when I have paid in advance?
All sponsors who pay by check will receive a monthly statement whether they have paid in advance or not. Your statement will indicate if a contribution is due, as well as the due date.
I sent in a payment that's not reflected on my statement. Do I owe money?
Payments received after the first of the month may not appear on your current statement. You can simply subtract that amount from your total due.
How do I make payments by credit card?
If you would like to start making payments by credit card, please fill in the credit card information on the top third of your statement. Still have questions? Please contact your Financial Coordinator at (202) 737-7705 or .
How much of my $27 does my sponsored sister receive?
As a sponsor you will be asked to provide a direct monthly contribution of $27 to Women for Women International. A portion of these funds are given to your sister so she can provide her family with basic necessities. The remaining funds are used to provide her with rights awareness training, leadership education and vocational skills training so she can continue to support her family in the future. In all countries in which we operate, $5 of your monthly contribution will pay for the administrative support of the programs.
For example, in Afghanistan women receive $10 a month as cash in hand to support their basic needs; $5 is put into a savings account for the participant for her to use to start an income-generating project or use as collateral for a traditional loan; and $7 is used to buy materials to support her rights awareness, leadership, vocational and technical skills training.
How do I end my participation in sponsorship?
After you receive your Sponsorship Welcome Kit, your sponsorship will continue until 30 days notice is given to end program participation. This will allow us enough time to match your sister with another sponsor so we can continue to provide uninterrupted support to her.
If you pay by credit card, we will continue to charge your credit card until notice is given to end program participation.
To end your sponsorship, please contact your Sponsorship Coordinator by email at or by phone at (202) 737-7705.
Donations
How do I make a donation?
Your contribution will help Women for Women International continue its life-saving work with women survivors of conflict around the world. Send your donation to: Women for Women International, 4455 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 200, Washington DC, 20008. Or make an online donation today!
How are my contributions spent?
Women for Women International is proud that 79% of your contributions directly fund the organization's Sponsorship, ReneWLS, and Income Generation Programs. We are committed to ensuring that every woman we work with receives the most from your contributions. For more information on Women for Women International's financial information, please click here.
If you are a sponsor, you will be asked to provide a direct monthly contribution of $27 to Women for Women International. A portion of these funds are given directly to your sister so she can provide her family with basic necessities. The remaining funds are used to provide her with rights awareness and leadership education and vocational skills training so she can continue to support her family after she graduates from the program. In all countries in which we operate, $5 of your monthly contribution will pay for the administrative support of the programs.
Is my donation tax-deductible?
Contributions made to Women for Women International currently may be tax-deductible in the United States. Women for Women International's U.S. tax Identification number is : 52-1838756. Please consult your tax advisor for more information.
Can I contribute through the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC)?
Yes, you can designate Women for Women International as a charity for your workplace campaign if your workplace participates in the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC). Our CFC number is #11311. However, this number is only valid for the Federal Campaign and may vary for state campaigns. You can find our local state campaign number through your workplace's CFC guide.
Do you accept employer matching gifts?
Women for Women International does accept employer matching gifts and encourages you to increase your donation by taking advantage of your employer’s matching gift program. Matching gifts cannot be applied to your sponsorship but will be used to strengthen and expand programs in the field.
You can direct any applications or additional paperwork for matching gifts, to our Financial Coordinator at 4455 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 200, Washington DC, 20008, or contact her at or (202) 737-7705.
Do you accept gifts of stock?
Women for Women International can also accept gifts of stock. It is usually beneficial to give appreciated securities since you bypass any capital gains tax due had you sold them – and you receive a charitable deduction for their fair market value.
Wire Transfer
If the securities are being held in "street name" at your brokerage firm, you may instruct your broker to have them wire transferred to us, in care of our broker, Wachovia Securities, at:
DTC Clearing 0141
Account Name: Women for Women International
Account Number: 4929-9454
Tax ID #52-1838756
When your broker makes the transfer, please download the "Notification of Transfer" form. Print the form out and mail it, or fax it, to our office so we can ensure that the securities have been received. You can mail the form to: Women for Women International, 4455 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20008; or you can fax the form to: 202-293-0853.
How Can I Help?
Sponsorship
The Sponsorship Program links women in the US with women in Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Iraq, Kosovo, Nigeria, Rwanda and Sudan, who have survived war and conflict. Individual sponsorships are a direct, personal, hands-on way for women in the US and elsewhere to help marginalized women in post-conflict countries. The sponsor provides $27 in monthly financial support that provides direct financial aid, training and other services to women participants. In addition, the sponsor and the woman exchange letters. For a woman who may have lost everything or who feels isolated from the world, letters of support and encouragement help renew her hope for a better future. For more information on how to sponsor today, click here.
Donations
Your contribution will help Women for Women International continue its life-saving work with women survivors of violence around the world. Send your donation to: Women for Women International, 4455 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 200, Washington DC, 20008. Or, contribute online today!
Volunteer
As a non-profit organization, Women for Women International depends upon volunteer efforts to make our programs a success and to allow us to direct more money to program participants.
Women for Women International always needs general office volunteers for our Washington, DC headquarters office. If you live in the metro-DC area and would like to help, please contact our volunteer coordinator by emailing  to set up an appointment to meet staff and discuss office needs.
If you live outside of the metro-DC area, please visit our Get Involved page to learn move about how you can get involved, by hosting an event or spreading the word!
We have recently restructured our overseas volunteer program so that only persons already staying in the host country are eligible to participate. For those already in the host country, we will provide contact information for our local office, and you may arrange the details with the local staff. We regret that we are unable to provide more comprehensive opportunities at this time.
If you are fluent in Bosnian, Albanian, Farsi or Arabic and would like to volunteer your translation services to help sponsors communicate with their sisters after they have completed our program, please send an email with your resume and qualifications to .
Other Ways You Can Help
Click here for general information on Hosting an Event!
• Refer us to people who would benefit from our newsletters and mailings.
• Distribute brochures about Women for Women International in your local community.
• Organize a fundraiser and make Women for Women International the beneficiary. For fundraiser ideas, please see the “Make a Difference Today” section of our website.
• Host an information session in your home: we will provide materials.
• Make a gift to our general program fund in honor of a friend's or relative's birthday or wedding
anniversary, or to mark a religious holiday.
• If you are a member or alumna of an organization or attend a school that publishes a newsletter or regular bulletin, ask about including a prepared piece on Women for Women International or women survivors of violence.
• Educate others about the trials that women face worldwide.
• Find out if your employer will match contributions or ask your employer about setting up a matching gift program.
• Be creative at the office. Some employers will let employees trade a personal or vacation day for a charitable donation.
• Designate Women for Women International as a beneficiary if your employer participates in a work-place giving program such as the United Way or Combined Federal Campaign.
To receive Women for Women International materials, please send an email to  , or contact us at (202) 737-7705. For more fundraising ideas, see the “Make a Difference Today” section of our website.
Financial Information
What percentage of the money I donate goes to programs overseas?
Women for Women International is proud that 79% of your contributions directly fund the organization's Sponsorship, ReneWLS, and Income Generation Programs. We are committed to ensuring that every woman we work with receives the most from your contributions. For more information on Women for Women International's financial information, please see our Annual Report.
If you are a sponsor you will be asked to provide a direct monthly contribution of $27 to Women for Women International. A portion of these funds are given directly to your sister so she can provide her family with basic necessities. In all countries in which we operate, $5 of your monthly contribution will pay for the administrative support of the programs (including things like hiring trainers to lead the rights awareness and leadership workshops, as well as the vocational skills trainings, purchasing materials for the trainings, and additional costs to maintain our programs.)
Has Women for Women International been reviewed by any charity evaluation services?
Charity Navigator, one of the largest charity evaluators in America, recently gave Women for Women International its highest 4-star rating for "prudent fiscal management." To read Charity Navigator's evaluation, visit http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm/bay/search.summary/orgid/7623.htm.
Women for Women International is also reviewed by GuideStar at www.guidestar.org. The review includes financial information, as well as basic program information.
We are currently seeking reviews from American Institute of Philanthropy and other charity review services to better serve our donors. For updated Program information, please see the "Our Programs " section of our website. For updated financial information please click here, or on "Annual Reports" in the menus in the "About Us" section of the website. If you can not find the information you are looking for, please feel free to contact us.
Referrals
Where can I find help for victims of violence in the U.S.?
If you are a survivor of violence, or know someone who is, and you live in the United States, you can contact:
National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233
National Victim Center 800-FYI-CALL (394-2255)
Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN) 1-800-656-HOPE
Research
• For information about global gender and women's issues visit the News from the Front section of our website.
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