What Does It Mean To Be A FoundationMaker?

This term, we are talking about FoundationMakers. But what exactly is it to be a FoundationMaker? FoundationMakers have been part of the building blocks of Comfort International for many years, but we want to shine a light on the amazing work the FoundationMakers do, and invite you to be a part of it.

What is a FoundationMaker?

Put very simply, a FoundationMaker is anyone who gives any “undesignated” amount of money monthly to Comfort International. By “undesignated” we mean money that is not allocated to a specific project or person, allowing Comfort International to direct those funds wherever they are most needed.

Why are FoundationMakers important?

While specific donations for sponsorship and project support are invaluable to the work of Comfort International, undesignated giving has a special purpose in that it allows us to respond quickly and dynamically to needs as they arise and in proportion to their urgency. It means that our partners don’t need to wait for specific support for that project to come through (read on to see some examples of where this has been the case).

On the ground, undesignated giving means that we can respond to crises and emergencies quickly, and we can also launch crucial new initiatives when the needs emerge. FoundationMakers give Comfort International and our partners the flexibility to respond and grow depending on the needs.

Here at home, it also gives people the opportunity to offer any donation amount monthly. While sponsorship is set at £30 per month, FoundationMakers can give as little as £5 a month and as much as they would like. Comfort International’s strapline is “a little can change a life”, and we really believe that to be true. Every single FoundationMaker, no matter how much the amount, is making a real difference to lives across Africa.

What have FoundationMakers donations been used for recently?

FoundationMakers have been crucial for many projects this year, not least in response to the fragile situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo where conflict and insecurity led to hundreds of thousands of people being displaced from their homes and a severe hunger crisis. Alongside the appeals run by Comfort International, FoundationMakers donations allowed us to respond quickly to feed orphans and malnourished children in IDP (Internally Displaced People) camps in and around Goma. Our partners Comfort Congo were able to feed in the region of 2000 children twice a week who otherwise would not have access to the desperately needed nutrition.

The funding also allowed us to reopen schools in the area as soon as possible, supporting unsponsored teachers and repairing damaged classrooms.

Speaking of sponsorship, there are dozens of unsponsored individuals across the projects including Children of Liberty (ex-child soldiers), Street Kids Rescue, hospital staff, teachers, mums and babies and survivors of sexual trauma who have been supported through FoundationMakers, without having to wait for a specific sponsor to come forward to support them.

FoundationMakers also allowed us to set up the Kanombe Street Kids Rescue project when partners Comfort Rwanda were asked to assist a group of young people sleeping on the streets and outbuildings in an area of Kigali.

What are we aiming for this year?

At the beginning of this campaign, we have 87 incredible FoundationMakers who altogether give almost £3000 monthly! This money makes a huge difference to so many lives across Africa. We would love to see this number increase and raise up 100 FoundationMakers for Comfort International. Therefore, we are asking you to tell your friends, family, colleagues and everyone you know about becoming a FoundationMaker. Could you, or anyone you know, give as little as £5 monthly, knowing that a little really can change a life?

When you sign up to become a FoundationMaker, you will receive a welcome pack and 6-monthly updates letting you know some of the places your donation has had an impact. So please, consider becoming a FoundationMaker today.