Costs
How much does the trip cost?
During your orientation meeting, your Team Leader will present the anticipated costs of the trip and the schedule of donations. An initial non-refundable deposit covers the cost of holding the airline reservations. This deposit demonstrates your commitment to participating in the team experience. In all cases, all donations should be submitted to Careforce one month before departure to allow sufficient time to get the funds to the project in a timely fashion. As a standard policy, all team participants must raise enough funds to cover all the expenses of the program before departure. These funds, as well as any extra money that comes in for any team participant, are non refundable and will be used for the project as needed. Funds must be raised by the specified dates outlined at Meeting # 1. At this time you will be given an estimate on the requested donation amount. Any changes in costs will be made before the final donation is due. Any funds raised beyond the original quoted amount will be forwarded to the project.
How do I collect and submit funds to Careforce International?
Option 1: The most preferable way for funds to be collected, is for all funds to come through your team leader by the specified dates. This provides greater efficiency in the administration of funds for Careforce.
Option 2: If you are collecting funds on your own through fundraising efforts, you may forward these funds directly to Careforce International. You MUST record each of these funds individually on the Team Participant Fund Submission Form. This information is critical in that it allows us to accurately receipt each of your supporters. If you are submitting funds (cheque, visa, cash) on behalf of people who gave you funds, we need the names and full mailing addresses of those who require a receipt at the time that the funds are submitted. Please note that if we do not receive this information at the time we receive your funds, the funds are entered as a donation from you and can not be changed at a later date. Although you are fundraising, it is your responsibility to meet the deadlines so you must start early. You may need to donate some of your own funds in order to do so. Should you raise additional funds after specific deadlines, we are unable to refund you or change any receipting information that has already been processed. Again, this will help bring greater efficiency in the administration of funds for Careforce.
Option 3: If supporters are forwarding funds to Careforce directly by mail, all cheques must have the following information in a note enclosed: team destination and date of trip.
What happens if I unexpectedly have to cancel my trip?
Once your ticket has been purchased and funds are sent to the project there is no refund. In some cases a name can be changed (for an additional fee) if another person can go on the trip. You would be responsible for this fee. Also, the airline may issue a credit in your name for a future flight to be used within 1 year. Your team leader will assist you in addressing this issue should it arise. We do not include cancellation insurance for the airline tickets but this can be purchased for an additional fee at your request at the time the tickets are booked.
What are ways that I can get financial support for the trip?
Your team leader will provide you with assistance on how to raise awareness about your intended team experience as well as how to raise financial support. You will likely find that the people who form your circle of influence: your family, friends, church, and co-workers, will be happy to contribute to this life changing experience for you. Making other people aware of your intended goals for the trip long in advance of departure will make this process smoother.
If people sponsor me, do they get tax receipts?
A tax receipt will be issued for all donations given to Careforce at the end of every fiscal year (calendar year). As a rule, the person or entity writing the cheque will get the tax receipt unless otherwise specified. Gift-in-Kind receipts may also be issued for donations of items from the needs list. Please see instructions on Gift in Kind Receipt Request Form enclosed.