Question 1

What is AFJS Charitable Trust?

Accepted Answer

AFJS Charitable Trust (All For Joyful Smiles) is a registered NGO based in Bhavnagar, Gujarat, India. We support underprivileged children through four programmes: Child Education, Girl Empowerment, Food & Nutrition, and Family Welfare. We were founded by John Dsouza and Varun Gonsalves and registered in 2025. Darpan Registration: GJ/2025/0719739.

Question 2

Is my donation eligible for 80G tax exemption?

Accepted Answer

Yes. AFJS Charitable Trust is registered under the Bombay Public Trusts Act, 1950 and holds PAN AALTA7481L. Donations are eligible for a 50% deduction under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act, 1961. You will receive an official donation receipt for your ITR records.

Question 3

What is Section 80G and how does it apply to AFJS Trust donations?

Accepted Answer

Section 80G allows Indian taxpayers to deduct a portion of charitable donations from their taxable income. For AFJS Trust, you can deduct 50% of the donated amount. For example, if you donate ₹10,000 and are in the 30% tax bracket, you save ₹1,500 in tax. Your net cost is ₹8,500. You need your PAN card and our donation receipt to claim this in your ITR filing.

Question 4

What documents do I need to claim 80G tax benefits?

Accepted Answer

You need three things. First, your PAN card, as the deduction cannot be claimed without one. Second, the official donation receipt from AFJS Trust, which we issue on request. Third, a bank statement confirming the payment for larger donations. Note: Cash donations above ₹2,000 are not eligible for 80G. Online payment, UPI, cheque, and bank transfer are all fully eligible.

Question 5

How much does it cost to sponsor a child for a full year?

Accepted Answer

₹25,000 covers one child's full year of school fees at St. Xavier's Primary School, Bhavnagar. The payment goes directly to the school in the child's name, and the receipt is photographed and shared with the donor. This is our Child Sponsorship programme and one of the highest-impact ways to contribute.

Question 6

Can I specifically sponsor a girl child?

Accepted Answer

Yes. AFJS Trust's Girl Empowerment programme specifically supports girls at the highest risk of dropping out of school. When you donate with a note specifying 'Girl Empowerment' or 'Sponsor a Girl', we allocate your funds to our girl-focused programmes. WhatsApp us at +91 63573 69174 to arrange a named girl sponsorship.

Question 7

Can I donate from outside India (US, UK, EU, Germany)?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can donate using any international Visa or Mastercard credit or debit card through our Razorpay payment gateway at joyfullsmiles.org/donate. For bank transfers, WhatsApp us at +91 63573 69174 for our SWIFT/account details. For large foreign donations, FCRA compliance applies, so please contact us directly before transferring large sums.

Question 8

Can I donate in USD, EUR, or GBP?

Accepted Answer

Our Razorpay gateway processes payments in INR, but international cards in any currency are accepted. Your bank converts to INR at the prevailing exchange rate. For large donations in foreign currency, contact us directly at Afjs.charitable@gmail.com to discuss bank transfer options.

Question 9

How is my donation money used?

Accepted Answer

100% of your donation goes directly to programme delivery. Our breakdown: 55% Education (fees, materials, uniforms), 25% Nutrition programmes, 15% Family welfare, 5% Communications and coordination. Administrative overhead is kept below 5%. We maintain receipts for every transaction and can provide a full accounting on request.

Question 10

Can I make a recurring monthly donation?

Accepted Answer

Yes. On our Donate page, you can toggle to monthly giving through Razorpay. Monthly donors are the backbone of our planning, as they allow us to commit to children's full academic years rather than term by term. Even ₹500/month makes a meaningful difference over a year.

Question 11

What happens after I sponsor a child? Do I get updates?

Accepted Answer

Yes. When you sponsor a child, we commit to: (1) Sending you photographs of the enrolment and fee payment receipt, (2) Regular WhatsApp or email updates about the child's progress, (3) End-of-year impact report. We are a small organisation and do not yet offer formal pen-pal programmes, but we believe in direct, personal communication with our donors.

Question 12

Where does AFJS Trust operate?

Accepted Answer

Our primary education partner is St. Xavier's Primary School, Devbagh, Bhavnagar, Gujarat. We run nutrition drives across several underserved localities in Bhavnagar. We also have a presence in Ahmedabad, where we serve communities of families who migrated from Saurashtra. Our registered office is at Block No. 103, Catholic Society, Vidhyanagar, Bhavnagar, Gujarat 364002.

Question 13

Does AFJS Trust operate in Ahmedabad as well as Bhavnagar?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We have a growing programme presence in Ahmedabad, particularly serving communities of families who have migrated from rural Gujarat. Our Ahmedabad activities include nutrition drives and family welfare outreach. Our core education programme, however, is centred on St. Xavier's Primary School in Bhavnagar.

Question 14

Can companies or businesses donate to AFJS Trust?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Companies can donate to AFJS Charitable Trust and claim the 80G deduction on their corporate tax. For corporate donations above ₹1,00,000, please contact us directly at Afjs.charitable@gmail.com to ensure all documentation is correctly issued. We can provide formal donation receipts, an MOU if required, and impact reports for CSR compliance.

Question 15

How can I volunteer with AFJS Trust in Bhavnagar?

Accepted Answer

We welcome volunteers in Bhavnagar, particularly for after-school tutoring, nutrition drive logistics, and community outreach. WhatsApp John Dsouza at +91 63573 69174 with a brief introduction. Volunteers from outside Bhavnagar can support us by sharing our work on social media, coordinating fundraising in their communities, or providing professional skills (graphic design, legal, accounting).

Question 16

What is AFJS Trust's FCRA status?

Accepted Answer

AFJS Trust is currently in the process of obtaining FCRA (Foreign Contribution Regulation Act) registration, which governs large donations from foreign sources. Until registration is complete, large foreign donations should be discussed with us directly before transfer to ensure regulatory compliance. Small individual international donations via Razorpay are generally straightforward. Contact us if you have any concerns.

Question 17

How is AFJS Trust different from other NGOs in Gujarat?

Accepted Answer

AFJS Trust is founder-led, community-rooted, and transparent by design. John Dsouza grew up in the communities we serve in Bhavnagar. This is not an outside intervention. We publish case studies, share fee receipts, document every drive, and communicate directly with donors via WhatsApp. We are small enough to know every child by name, and large enough to make a measurable difference.

Question 18

How can I contact AFJS Trust?

Accepted Answer

WhatsApp: +91 63573 69174 (fastest, typically responds within a few hours). Email: Afjs.charitable@gmail.com. Address: Block No. 103, Catholic Society, Vidhyanagar, Bhavnagar, Gujarat 364002. Instagram: @afjs_charitable_trust

Question 19

Is AFJS Trust's registration legitimate and verifiable?

Accepted Answer

Yes. AFJS Charitable Trust is registered under the Bombay Public Trusts Act, 1950. Our details: Darpan Registration: GJ/2025/0719739 | PAN: AALTA7481L | Trust Registration: F/3788/Bhavnagar. Our Darpan registration can be verified on the NGO Darpan portal maintained by NITI Aayog. We are happy to share all registration documents on request.

Question 20

What payment methods are accepted for donations?

Accepted Answer

We accept the following: Razorpay (UPI, credit and debit cards, net banking, wallets), UPI directly to 63573690174@sbi, bank transfer (contact us for NEFT details), and international cards including Visa, Mastercard, and Amex via Razorpay. For WhatsApp-coordinated donations, we will guide you to the most convenient option.

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