Why UNICEF India is fundraising

Does UNICEF fundraise in India?

Yes, UNICEF does fundraise in India. UNICEF is the only UN agency that depends on voluntary contributions. UNICEF relies on voluntary contributions from public donors, businesses, foundations and individuals. The money that is raised in India is utilized for our programmes in India.

Donations are needed to ensure UNICEF can sustain its programmes and advocate for the scale-up of successful programmes with state and national governments. With a growing economy and a slowdown in foreign contributions, UNICEF India seeks support from the Indian population to help ensure that every child has a fair chance and a good start in life.

How can I make a donation to UNICEF?

You can make a donation in a number of ways:

Online – you can make a secure donation on our website at https://www.unicef.org/india/ by clicking the Donate Now button.

Cheque – You can provide a cheque made out to UNICEF India and provide it to one of our state offices or send it to:

Attention: Donor Care

UNICEF INDIA

73 Lodhi Estate

New Delhi

110003

Telephone -  You can also make a donation using NACH and through other payment methods by contacting our Donor Relations team at 1800-3000-5898 or email at [email protected] between 9:30 am and 5:30 pm from Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays), and someone will be happy to collect your information and assist you in making a donation.

Donation sign-ups can be done directly by an individual via the methods mentioned above, or when you are contacted by a UNICEF fundraiser, either face-to-face or via telecalling.

Will the money I give to UNICEF India be used only to help children in India?

Yes. All money raised in India stays in India to support UNICEF’s work there.

When will I get a receipt?

UNICEF will send you a confirmation receipt within four weeks.  If you do not receive it within this time, please call the Donor Relations Officer at 1800-3000-5898 or email [email protected] Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) between 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., and we will respond within 48 to 72 hours.

Will I get a Tax exemption?

Donations to UNICEF are not currently eligible for tax benefits under Section 80G. The Income Tax Act does not allow UNICEF to grant tax exemptions to its donors, as it is not registered in India (as a charity) because it is a United Nations Agency. The status is also aligned with UNICEF’s need to remain neutral in its country of operation.

Why does UNICEF need my funds?

UNICEF is the only UN agency founded on raising its own resources and therefore depends solely on voluntary contributions. Thereby, UNICEF relies on 100 per cent voluntary contributions from corporate donors, foundations, and individual donors from all walks of life. 

All money that is raised in India is utilized for the programmes in India alone. Your contribution is needed to ensure UNICEF can deliver its programmes and advocate for the scale-up of successful programmes with state and national governments. In India, a majority of funds are received through UNICEF’s global fundraising efforts. However, with the growing economy and the subsequent decline in foreign contributions, the India Country Office needs to take the onus of ensuring that UNICEF’s work receives continued patronage from Indians.

Can I help in any other way, than by donating money? Clothes, rations, etc.

The current scope of operations in India does not warrant UNICEF channelling material supplies from donors. UNICEF supplies materials such as vaccines, medicines, education kits, RTPCR Testing Kits, Oxygen Concentrators, oxygen generation plants, PPE kits, etc., which are in exact accordance with the specifications required at the ground level. These procurements are made to order with funds contributed to UNICEF.

Want to donate one time only? Can I?

Yes, you can donate one time; however, to ensure we at UNICEF can help provide sustainable, long-term solutions in India that enable children to survive and thrive, we encourage you to donate over a longer period. Social and developmental change happens over time, and your long-term donations will be one step towards that. 

Also, in times of emergency, such as the most recent outbreak of COVID-19, UNICEF has supported the government in procuring essential supplies for immediate use, such as PPE kits and RT-PCR testing kits, and in procuring oxygen generation plants, which will help provide long-term, life-saving oxygen.

Why are you asking me to make a monthly donation?

UNICEF asks for monthly contributions to support sustainable, long-term solutions for children in India. Monthly contributions allow us to plan and project our long-term funding needs and better plan our programming. By making a monthly donation, you show your commitment to helping us ensure every child in India has a chance to survive and thrive.

How does UNICEF receive its funds and how is this different from other UN agencies like the WHO, and UNHCR?

UNICEF is the only UN agency funded entirely by voluntary contributions. Without income, UNICEF cannot deliver on its mandate to advocate for the protection of children's rights, to help meet their basic needs, and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential.

I met a person in a mall or on the street, who was asking for donations in the name of UNICEF. Are they authentic? OR I received a phone call from someone who was asking for donations in the name of UNICEF. Are they authentic?

We fundraise in India through various media, including Face-to-Face, Online, TV Ads, and Telemarketing. This is being done by our authorized fundraising partners. Our Face-to-Face teams currently fundraise in approximately 20 cities in India: Mumbai, Coimbatore, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Vadodara, Pune, Chennai, Chandigarh, Trivandrum, Delhi, Kolkata, Cochin, Jaipur, Mysore, Thrissur, Kozhikode, Indore, Kannur, and Vizag. Online and Telemarketing fundraising takes place across all of India, through our authorized fundraising partners. All Face-to-face fundraisers carry an ID badge with a valid ID number that authenticates them as a UNICEF fundraiser.  

If there is any concern that someone fundraising for UNICEF is not genuine, one can ask to see their UNICEF Fundraiser ID Card and authenticate the fundraiser here. The same can be verified by either calling our toll-free number 1800-3000-5898 or emailing us at [email protected] between 9:30 am and 5:30 pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays). We will respond to you within 48 to 72 hours.

I met a fundraiser, and they did not seem to know much about our programme?

Our fundraising agents are trained to discuss the general framework of our programme, as they are ideally positioned to inspire an individual to join our cause and donate. They are not trained or expected to know the technical details of our programmes, as this is not their role or skill set. However, if you would like to learn more about UNICEF's work in India, you may visit the pages on our official website at https://www.unicef.org/india/ or write to us at [email protected] with your questions, and we will respond within 48 to 72 hours.

How do I cancel/upgrade/downgrade my donation?

For any information related to cancelling, upgrading, or downgrading your donation, you may contact our helpdesk team on the toll-free number 1800-3000-5898 or write to us at [email protected], Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) between 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. We will respond within 48 to 72 hours.