How FFA Works
The FFA in the United States seeks sponsors for families in India as well as general donations for projects to help the poor in India. FFA USA administers the funds here, sending them to India on a quarterly basis with detailed designations as to the distribution of funds to families and projects. 15% of all donations is retained to cover administrative costs in the US and India including the salaries and health benefits for the Indian staff members. The board of directors meets yearly as does the executive committee to discuss the progress of the work in India and to review reports from Sr. Daphne and the FFA Board of Directors in India concerning disbursement of funds, program progress and any special needs of the staff in India.
Members of the USA Board of Directors coordinate this web site with the Indian office, prepare e-newsletters to sponsors, and give talks to groups to encourage people to become family sponsors. Most of the administrative work in the US is done by volunteers.
The FFA in India consists of a board of directors made up of the Bishop of Alappuzha and other clerics and laypersons to help the board of directors in the USA coordinate the efforts of the FFA Indian staff.
The office staff is the heart of the program. The office is located on the grounds of the cathedral in Allaphuzah. The staff members visit the sponsored families to see what their needs are. In addition, they manage all the funds distributions to families and projects in India keeping detailed records of all distributions. Letters to and from sponsors go through the office as well as inquiries from sponsors about specific needs of their family.
Local parish priests in the villages recommend families to the FFA staff office or many families come themselves to the office to ask to be enrolled. A staff member visits the family in their home to ascertain their needs and to see if the FFA program will benefit them. A family accepted into the program is photographed and a biography is written about them. These 'legends' are posted on this web site or in the newsletter sent to all donors.
Tax Information
The Franciscan Family Apostolate is a 501 (c ) (3) federally tax exempt charity governed by a Board of Directors that meet annually in November. All donations are tax deductible.
The Franciscan Family Apostolate is audited annually according to the laws of the State of Connecticut by Burzenski and Company, East Haven, CT. and filed with the Public Charities Unit, Department of State, State of Connecticut.
The Franciscan Family Apostolate is listed with GuideStar.org.
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