Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have more than one Micro-Endowment™?

You can have as many Micro-Endowments™ as you choose. We understand that you may have a business, organization or other group that would want to address separate causes or would want to give through their Micro-Endowment™ in different ways, such as a percentage of a retail product or other service.

 

How many interests can I include in my Micro-Endowment™?

You can include as many interests as you would like support through your Micro-Endowment™.

 

Who can apply for a grant and how?

Any registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a mission that falls under the broad category of ending hunger and poverty while caring for the Earth can apply for a grant through Hope Equity. The process is simple. At the top of the Hope Equity homepage is a button that you can click that will take you to the forms your organization will need to fill out. Once your organization has submitted these forms, we will review your application and reply promptly as to whether your organization qualifies and how much funding would be available from the selected endowment(s) at that point in time.

 

How many people can donate to my Micro-Endowment™?

It’s up to you. You can make your Micro-Endowment™ either private or public. So, you can decide if you want just to invite your friends and family to donate to your Micro-Endowment™ or allow anyone to donate to it.

 

Can I donate to other Micro-Endowments™ in addition to mine?

You can give to other Micro-Endowments™ at any time in addition to yours.

 

What other forms of payment do you accept for donations?

We accept gifts of stock or electronic payments. If you are interested in these forms of payment, please contact us directly, toll-free at 888-422-1161 or email at info@hopeequity.org for more information.

 

How much funding is made available to the causes or countries I support with my Micro-Endowment™?

The principal (i.e., your donation) on the endowments is never touched. It is invested and each year a percentage, which is currently set at 5.5%, is made available to the organizations supported through Hope Equity. However, some years the country program or non-profit organization may choose not to pull from their endowments, allowing them to grow until a time when the funds are most needed.

 

After a gift is made can the donor transfer, trade or withdraw the funds in their Micro-Endowment™?

No. Donations cannot be transferred, traded or withdrawn. When you make a gift through your Micro-Endowment™, it is invested so that it may grow and provide more funding for countries, causes and non-profits you have selected.

 

What if there isn’t an endowment/interest for the cause I want to support?

You can create a general endowment/interest for a cause that is part of the movement to end hunger and poverty while caring for the Earth.

 

How can I create a “named” endowment/interest, i.e., an endowment/interest named after my family?

Named endowments/interests can be created with a gift of $25,000 or more. Please contact us through info@hopeequity.org for more information on how to set up a named endowment.

 

How much does Hope Equity take out for administrative costs?

We charge up to one percent administration fee to serve as fiduciary for these endowments - only to cover our actual costs incurred.

 

What causes or non-profits are associated with Hope Equity?

Hope Equity is a way to provide long-term, sustainable support to any organization that is part of the global movement to end hunger and poverty while caring for the Earth. We believe these partnerships are a key to making a lasting difference in the fight against hunger and poverty.

 

Are my gifts tax-deductible?

Yes, each gift is tax-deductible.

 

What is Heifer Foundation and how does it relate to Hope Equity and Heifer Project International?

Hope Equity was created by Heifer Foundation for donors who wanted to actually build the endowments they support while receiving accurate reporting on their growth and use. Heifer Foundation is a nonprofit organization started in 1990 for the purpose of educating people about planned charitable giving, and developing and managing an endowment to provide long-term support for the work of Heifer Project International. Heifer Foundation and Heifer Project International are separate organizations that share a mission of ending hunger and poverty while caring for the Earth. For more information about Heifer Foundation, visit www.heiferfoundation.org, and for more on Heifer Project International, visit www.heifer.org.

 

Who manages the endowment funds? Are the funds managed internally or through an investment or banking firm?

The President and CEO of Heifer International Foundation are responsible for investment of all funds under the governance of the board of trustees and guidance of a professional investment consultant. Heifer International Foundation has secured 13 percent return on investment since our inception in 1991.