1. Are donations or sponsorship to Nying-Jey Projects tax deductible?

2. How do I know my money gets to the monk/nun/student that I sponsor?

3. How do I send letters/gifts to my student or nun?

4. What happens re my sponsorship once the child leaves school?

5. What is the suggested amount of money per month to give?

6. How much of my hard-earned money gets to my beneficiary?

7. How long am I committed to being a sponsor? I really want to help but my income can vary greatly from year to year.

8. What is the Medical Emergency Fund?

9. What is the difference between Sponsorship and Scholarship?

1. Are donations or sponsorship to Nying-Jey Projects tax deductible?

No. The Australian Government only authorises tax deductibility for donations to organisations whose activities are defined under their criteria as “development”. Because all current Nying-Jey Projects’ programs are paid to and benefit individuals directly they are defined under the Australian Government guidelines as “welfare”. Welfare programs are not eligible for tax deductibility.

2. How do I know my money gets to the monk/nun/student that I sponsor?

The Nying-Jey Projects treasurer remits the monies to the beneficiaries in India 6-monthly to keep bank fees down. We receive receipts from our contacts in India. NJP is also registered with the ACNC with whom we are compliant for financial reporting.

3. Can I send letters/gifts to my student, monk or nun?

4. What happens to my sponsorship once the child leaves school?

You will be notified by the Nying-Jey Projects secretary/treasurer if this situation occurs and given the option of sponsoring a new beneficiary.

5. What is the suggested amount of money per month to give?

For beneficiaries in India, $25 Australian per month is the suggested figure. This is enough to support a child at school, a nun in the nunnery or a monk in the monastery. For tertiary students, $40 Australian per month will keep them housed, fed and studying at an institution away from home.

6. How much of my hard-earned money gets to my beneficiary?

If not all, then almost all of it. In the past, deductions have never exceeded 5% and have typically been much lower – between 2 and 3%. Deductions from sponsorship monies cover the running and administrative costs, which include: banking transaction fees, postage, stationery, newsletters, telephone charges and the like. Offsetting this, interest accrued from Nying-Jey Projects bank accounts can often actually cover these deductions.

7. How long am I committed to being a sponsor? I really want to help but my income can vary greatly from year to year.

This is entirely up to you as you are not bound to any contracts. If you could contact the Nying-Jey Projects Secretary and inform them of any changes or if you are unable to continue with sponsorship, it would be appreciated. If contemplating sponsoring a tertiary student it would be better if you’re sure you’ll be able to continue until the end of their course, as it can be difficult to find a replacement sponsor for this greater amount.

Some sponsors who do not want to be tied to a regular payment elect to make ad hoc donations to the Scholarship Fund, the Medical Emergency Fund or to Nying-Jey Projects to help with our administration costs instead.

8. What is the Medical Emergency Fund?

This is a program that provides financial assistance to the beneficiaries to cover the costs of emergency medical services and procedures. It can also provide financial relief for beneficiaries who have incurred large debts as a result of having expensive medical services and are struggling to pay their debts.

9. What is the difference between Sponsorship and Scholarship?

Sponsorship is when one person takes responsibility for the ongoing upkeep of one school student, monk or nun. As the cost of providing for a tertiary student is so high, it is more practical for us to pool donations to support a student at university. Of course this doesn’t mean that you can’t sponsor a university student if you are confident of being able to continue that to the end of their course.