The Law and Direct Donations

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At times a donor wants to give a gift or money directly to a child in our program. The desire is understandable because so many families lack so much. However, as a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization, U.S. regulations prohibit Oaxaca Streetchildren Grassroots from accepting or distributing cash or gifts directed to specific individuals. 

Even were we able do so legally, individual gift-giving or financial support conflicts with our core value of providing equitable aid to all children. Our Core Values state:

FAIRNESS - Donations and services are managed in a spirit of fairness to all the children in the program. Care is exercised not to set precedents in services or aid that cannot be sustained in the future or provided equally to other children with similar needs. For example, directing large gifts to particular children and families – even with the most admirable of intentions – can create perceptions of unfairness and cause hard feelings among the very people we are trying to help, thus undermining the effectiveness of our efforts in Oaxaca.

In short, giving to some children and not giving to hundreds of others deviates from this value. Moreover, it creates disruption among families who see some children being treated better than others.

But you can make a tremendous difference. A donation to our general fund helps all of the nearly 700 children and young adults in our program, and their families. General fund gifts pay for food distributions, medical care, and psychological counseling, as well as help underwrite educational costs (which individual sponsorships don’t fully cover). Your general fund gift ensures that all of our deserving children and young adults can continue in their studies and seek a brighter future.

With sincerest thanks for your generosity,

W. David Slaymaker, President of Oaxaca StreetChildren Grassroots