How to Donate to an Indian NGO from the US, UK, or EU

Some of our most committed supporters live in Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States, and across Europe. Distance has never stopped generosity, but it can create confusion about how to actually send money. This guide removes all of that confusion.

Why People Outside India Donate to AFJS Trust Many donors are Indian diaspora members who grew up in Gujarat and want to give back to the communities they left behind. Others are international supporters who discovered our work through social media and were moved by what they saw: children standing in the rain holding plates, waiting for a meal; girls typing their names for the first time on a laptop.

Whatever brought you here: you can donate. Here's how.

Option 1: Razorpay with an International Card (Easiest) Our payment gateway is Razorpay, one of India's most trusted payment processors. Razorpay accepts: - Visa and Mastercard (debit and credit) - American Express - Most international cards from major banks

Visit joyfullsmiles.org/donate, choose your amount, click Donate Now, and complete the payment with your international card. The entire process takes under three minutes.

Note: Your bank may apply a small foreign transaction fee (typically 1 to 3 percent). This is charged by your bank, not by us.

Option 2: Direct Bank Transfer (For Larger Donations) If you're making a larger donation and prefer a direct transfer, WhatsApp us at +91 63573 69174. We will provide full bank transfer details including: - Bank name and branch (State Bank of India) - Account number and IFSC code - SWIFT code for international wires

For SWIFT transfers, processing typically takes 3 to 5 working days. We will send you a receipt once funds are received and confirmed.

Option 3: UPI (For NRIs with Indian Bank Accounts) If you maintain an NRI Savings Account (NRO or NRE) with an Indian bank, you can donate directly via UPI. Our UPI ID is: 63573690174@sbi

This is often the fastest and lowest-cost method for NRIs with Indian banking access.

Option 4: PayPal or Google Pay (Contact Us) We receive occasional donations via PayPal and Google Pay for international transfers. Contact us directly at Afjs.charitable@gmail.com to arrange this.

What About Tax Deductibility?

This is the most common question from international donors. Here's the honest answer:

• India (80G): If you have taxable income in India, your donation is eligible for a 50% deduction under Section 80G. We can issue an official 80G receipt.
• USA: Donations to Indian NGOs are not directly tax-deductible in the US unless made through a 501(c)(3) partner organisation. We are currently exploring partnership options. Contact us for the latest status.
• UK: Gift Aid applies only to UK-registered charities. We are not currently UK-registered.
• Germany and EU: Tax deductibility for foreign charitable donations varies significantly by country and individual circumstances. Consult your Steuerberater or local tax advisor.

Most of our international donors give without a local tax benefit and find that supporting a child's education is more than enough reason to do so.

FCRA (Foreign Contribution Regulation Act) India's FCRA regulations govern large foreign donations to NGOs. AFJS Trust is in the process of obtaining FCRA registration. Until that registration is complete, large foreign donations should be discussed with us directly to ensure compliance. Contact us at Afjs.charitable@gmail.com before making a large transfer.

For most individual donations (under ₹50,000 equivalent), this does not present a practical issue.

Getting Your Donation Receipt Regardless of how you donate, we will issue you a receipt. If you need a formal 80G receipt (for Indian tax purposes), provide us with your name, PAN, and Indian address when contacting us. For international donors, we provide a standard donation acknowledgement.

Talk to Us First if You're Unsure If you're unsure which method works best for you, just WhatsApp us at +91 63573 69174. We respond within 24 hours. We've guided donors from Germany, the UK, Australia, Canada, and the US through the donation process. It's genuinely straightforward once you know the path.

Your generosity, wherever you are in the world, directly changes a child's life in Bhavnagar.