THE ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS WE OFTEN HEAR
What is Universal Promise, and how did the organization come to be?
We are a 501(c)(3) founded in 2011 to address academic inequities in Sundays River Valley, north of Gqeberha/Port Elizabeth, in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Please visit this page to learn more about the impetus for our founding.
What is the Universal Promise vision?
We believe Equity and Ubuntu* will exist when quality educational opportunities are accessible to all. Only then will we find and value our uniqueness, unleash our potential, be accountable for our future, stand confident and resilient in the face of injustice, and respect that everyone has the right to do the same.
* Ubuntu is a South African term that means compassion and the belief in the universal bond of humanity. It is often translated as “I am because of you,” or “I am because we are.”
What is the Universal Promise mission?
We provide individuals and institutions in underserved regions with the academic resources needed to ensure educational and career opportunities that will promote just, civil, and hopeful societies. Please visit this page to learn more.
What are the top values that guide your efforts?
Accountability | Inclusivity | Sustainability | Ubuntu
What matters?
We support the education of all to promote freedom rather than perpetual hand-outs to ensure paralysis. We support school-based programs to serve thousands rather than structures to serve few. We embrace a steadfast mission with a broad impact rather than an ever-changing mission with an unclear destination. We respect a local articulation of needs over a foreign imposition of will.
Do you accept stock and crypto in addition to cash and checks?
Yes, we do! Click here for more details about how to donate non-cash assets.
How do I know if my company offers corporate matching?
Click here, and you will find out in a heartbeat and learn the next steps.
For a visual sample of our projects and metrics, visit the Before & After page on our website.
To list a few, we have funded
the Universal Promise Academic Centre
three computer laboratories,
computer-training,
a library,
a science lab,
two art studios,
a dance & music studio,
a wellness studio,
two playgrounds,
two green, clean water systems,
50 renovated classrooms,
classroom electricity,
leadership camps,
professional development,
a medical clinic renovation,
healthcare education,
a permaculture garden,
two school breakfast programs,
two school kitchen renovations,
multiple school toilet renovations,
women’s empowerment programs,
myriad Xhosa entrepreneurial businesses,
a wind turbine,
security systems at all schools,
university visitations and applications,
and then some.
Please go to the Projects drop-down menu to learn more.
What is the significance of the name Universal Promise?
First, we must make a universal promise to care for all children. Second, every person has unique potential: a universality of promise. Third, the acronym is the ultimate, because education lifts us UP, UP, UP.
Does Universal Promise start its own schools?
No. We seek out underserved, underachieving, already existing schools in South Africa and strive to uplift them. We believe that true change will happen when all children have access to quality education.
Does Universal Promise fund orphanages?
No.
Is Universal Promise a religious nonprofit?
No. We fund school projects that are not religious, such as security systems, computer labs, playgrounds, classroom/restroom/office/kitchen renovations, science labs, libraries, wellness studios, art studios, music studios, clean water systems, school-based nutrition programs, infirmaries, professional development, student leadership training, school uniforms for children-in-need, and university/college/technical school mentoring (applications and scholarships).
Roughly how many students does Universal Promise serve at all the schools the organization supports?
In 2024, we will support over 5,000 students at six different schools.
Do the South African students speak English?
Yes. From Grade 4 on, all students learn and then use English as their primary language of instruction.
What is the students’ predominant home language?
isiXhosa is the predominant first language in the region we serve. Please visit this page to learn more about the Xhosa culture.
What are the Universal Promise rankings on GuideStar, Charity Navigator, etc.?
In 2024, Universal Promise has a platinum (the highest) ranking on GuideStar, a 96% score on Charity Navigator, and Vetted, Excellence, and Effective badges on GlobalGiving.
What is the Universal Promise Top 10 Approach? Why is this approach important?
We seek out underserved, underachieving schools in one region of South Africa and explain our singular focus on education. In partnership, we then invite South African administrators, educators, parents, and students each to formulate a Top 10 Wish List that they believe will elevate the quality of learning for all. We collect the lists, eliminate items not focused on education, look for overlaps, and meet with administrators to finalize the Top 10.
Local ownership is central to our mission, agenda, actions, and funding. Together South Africans and Universal Promise develop activities to ensure that local ownership prevails. Once in place, Universal Promise begins to carry out the tasks, with full accountability and transparency along the way, in all directions. We also explain that we will stay until independence is unequivocal and sustainable, after which we will exit while continuing to support programs for which we are fiscally responsible.
Does Universal Promise have a sponsorship program?
Yes. We have an Education Sponsors program with different giving levels. The introductory level costs roughly $1.15 per day and is persistently impactful. Please visit this page to learn more. We need you!
How much money has Universal Promise raised since its founding in 2011?
We have raised over $2,200,000 since our founding.
Where do most of the Universal Promise fundraising dollars come from?
Most of our fundraising comes from our loyal Education Sponsors, small family foundations, our yearly fundraiser, the DonorSee platform, 401Gives, and the kindness of strangers.
What is the annual Universal Promise budget?
The budget ranges from $125,000 - $325,000 depending on our fundraising efforts and the status of each of our Top 10 Wish Lists at each of the schools we support.
How does Universal Promise guard against improper use of funds at home and abroad?
We have a Board of Directors that takes its governance and fiscal responsibility roles seriously. The Board Treasurer examines financial records regularly and asks insightful, probing questions freely. We have an Audit & Finance Committee that exercises oversight, and the Board further examines those records and is invited to ask any questions during Board meetings or outside those meetings.
In South Africa, we have a more than decades-old history building relationships with local businesses, developing an array of trusted partnerships, and striking that delicate balance between quality of product, frugality, and respect for local skills and talents. With any given project, we ask for more than one quotation and, whenever we can, hire local experts. We never channel payment through organizations known for their improper usage of funds or to organizations that price-gouge. Our number one priority is to invest wisely in honor of our donors and in respect of those we serve.