Frequently Asked Questions
Answers
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.
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.
Mail to India
NJP currently recommends sending mail – letters or photos – to India electronically through the NJP office.
Sponsors may send e-copies of your mail to njprojects@gmail.com which will be forwarded on to India. All mail must clearly identify a student or nun with the correct ID number.
Translation
Unfortunately, NJP is no longer able to offer translation of mail into Tibetan.
BUT ... it’s OK to send your letter in English. Many older students are studying English and can help with translation.
You will be notified by the Nying-Jey Projects secretary/treasurer if this situation occurs and given the option of sponsoring a new beneficiary.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.