FAQ
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How can I sponsor or build a school?
It is our policy that we do not allow for sponsorships or partnerships with our schools or projects. With our small staff, we need to keep them focused on our mission of providing education and literacy programs. You may choose to donate to our School Building fund that will specifically fund school building projects.
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How can I sponsor a specific student?
It is our policy that we do not allow for sponsorships of specific students. You may choose to donate to our Scholarship Fund that will specifically fund student’s education scholarships.
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How can I sponsor a specific teacher?
It is our policy that we do not allow for sponsorships of specific teachers. You may choose to donate to our Teacher’s Salaries Fund that will specifically fund teacher’s salaries.
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How do I make a re-curring donation?
Visit our Donation Page. Complete the donation form and select the frequency you would like your donation made.
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How do I make a donation as a gift in honor/memory?
Visit our Donation Page. Complete the donation form and download the printable Gift Card available.
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How do I make a stock donation?
Visit our Stock Donation page and follow the instructions.
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What kind of material or in-kind donations do you accept?
At this time, we do not accept material goods. There is no postal system in the regions we serve. Transport of material donations - after packing, taxes, customs, shipping by jeep, donkey and porter - is very expensive and counterproductive to our limited overhead and low operational costs. We choose instead to support and thereby stimulate the local economy by purchasing the necessary school and building supplies within the region. Your monetary contribution will have greater impact.
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Can I donate to CAI in a currency other than U.S. dollars?
You can donate to CAI in a currency other than U.S. dollars by making on online credit card contribution. The credit card company will automatically convert your gift to U.S. dollars. You may also send us a check in other currencies, however, our bank charges significant fees to convert your gift to U.S. dollars.
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I need a copy of your Tax Exemption Status / 501(c)3 Letter. How can I get that?
You may download the Tax Exempt Status Letter. It is also located under our Financials Page.
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What is your EIN / Tax ID Number?
51-0376237.
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I would like to volunteer, what’s the next step?
1. Thank you for your interest in volunteering. Unfortunately, at this time, we do not accept volunteers. Please refer to our Volunteer Page for a detailed explanation.
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I want to get involved, what are other ways I can support CAI’s work?
Please refer to our Fundraising Page.
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How do I initiate a “Pennies for Peace” drive?
Please refer to our website www.penniesforpeace.org and feel free to contact our Pennies for Peace Director, Christiane Leitinger, at 406-585-7841.
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How can my students have correspondence with the students in your schools?
It is so thoughtful that you want to communicate your support and are interested in establishing correspondence with other children in our schools. As you might imagine we have a very small staff in the US and abroad, and it is very difficult for us to facilitate correspondence between our schools and American schools. Our schools are so vastly remote that we must keep are small staff focused on our projects and education initiatives.
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Can I ‘tag’ along with Greg on his overseas travels?
As one of the only full time agencies to work in certain restricted and closed regions in Pakistan and Afghanistan, CAI cannot take the responsibility for other foreigners. Should you consider traveling to Pakistan or Afghanistan on your own as a tourist, please refer to Travel Warnings issued by the US State Department.
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We have like-minded organizations, can we ‘partner’ up with projects?
We are inspired by the actions of many to bring about real change and hope for Pakistanis and Afghans and encourage like-minded groups to continue with their efforts. Central Asia Institute’s philosophy is to develop projects that are community based and locally initiated through consensus. It has taken years to develop relationships and build trust with the people in the regions we serve, the arrival of other Americans could damage these hard won relationships. CAI will not take risks that could affect the success of any overseas projects.
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How do I start my own non-profit?
We applaud and support the goal of others in their efforts to make the world a better place. While our co-founder, Greg Mortenson, would like to provide personal guidance in your efforts, there are already too many demands on his time. You are encouraged to perform your own research and seek legal advice as you proceed. Two suggested readings are: “Starting & Managing a Nonprofit Organization: A Legal Guide” by Bruce Hopkins and “The Power & Limits of NGO’s” by Sarah Elizabeth Mendelson. Best wishes while you embark on your journey!
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Can you give me guidance on some Fundraising strategies?
We applaud and support the goal of others in their efforts to make the world a better place. While our co-founder, Greg Mortenson, would like to provide personal guidance in your efforts, there are already too many demands on his time. A suggested website is www.raisingmoney.com. A suggested reading is the book “Securing Your Organization’s Future: A Complete Guide to Fundraising Strategies” by Michael Seltzer
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What curriculum do you teach in your schools?
School is generally in session for 240 to 260 days a year, with students in class five to six days a week. Every CAI school complies with that country’s curriculum guidelines. Classes include math, English, Pakistan studies-history, Urdu, Islamic studies, and science. CAI added hygiene and nutrition and developed a workbook that covers local culture, tradition, and folklore.
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What are some common recipes in Afghanistan and Pakistan?
For recipes, visit Pakistan Recipes or Afghanistan Recipes.
