FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
GENERAL
What does CAN-DO stand for?
Compassion into Action Network – Direct Outcome Organization
What is grassroots relief?
Grassroots means we are not tied down by politics, bureaucracy, red tape or any other constraint that would otherwise delay or prevent us from delivering critical aid ASAP. We don’t wait for approvals and we don’t wait for the green light - we do what needs to be done now.
How does CAN-DO deliver relief?
The CAN-DO Team just gets it done. We arrive on scene following a disaster, assess the needs of those whose lives are affected, and immediately create solutions. Each project is unique. The community might need food, toiletries and shelter or they may require long-term care such as rebuilding homes, businesses. It all depends on our donors and budget and time, but we do everything we can to maximize results through our resources and those of our partners.
How is CAN-DO 100% accountable?
Video, photographs and the CAN-DO website offer documentation of the organization’s efforts every step of the way. CAN-DO also offers a virtual volunteer program ( http://virtualvolunteer.tv ) where an individual or business can choose a project that’s important to them and donate, track progress. We are continuing to build our Virtual Volunteer program. See below!
What are some of the projects that CAN-DO has done?
CAN-DO spent four months in Sri Lanka following the devastating tsunami of 2004. We cleared rubble, filled in cesspools and rebuilt homes, businesses and a well for bathing and drinking. Just months following our return, CAN-DO spent a year on the Gulf Coast following Hurricane Katrina. There, we set up over 25 relief distribution centers (to deliver food, toiletries, other essentials), which covered 8000+ miles throughout Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana. Most recently, CAN-DO has begun to establish a strong and effective Network, working in Rwanda, Africa, with the government to help rebuild and revitalize schools in Kigali. CAN-DO also provided critical aid to nearly 3500 people displaced by heavy flooding in the village of Bigogwe, Rwanda.
What are some of the projects CAN-DO is planning?
Currently, CAN-DO is working to rebuild the Rikuvu Soccer Stadium, the oldest in Rwanda. The stadium project was chosen not only out of the people’s love for the sport, but also as a way to bring the community back together. We have receive support from major branded companies and will soon share more about these partnerships on our website. In addition, CAN-DO is working with trusted partner, The Education Exchange Organization, in Kigali. Together, we will construct 12 more classrooms as well as an art/music wing and athletic field. As part of that project, we will also build teacher training programs and computer training centers. CAN-DO is also setting up projects in Louisiana and Mississippi. We will soon break ground to build a new home in Slidell, LA, in April 2008. In MS, CAN-DO continues its partnership with the Pearlington Recovery Center and those projects can be viewed on the CAN-DO website under “programs.”
How does CAN-DO involve the community it’s helping?
CAN-DO involves the community from day one. Upon arrival, we immediately begin speaking with survivors to determine their needs. Most people do not want a hand out. They want to help themselves. We are always sure to give them a purpose if they want to be a part of our effort. CAN-DO not only wants to provide much-needed aid but help to rebuild the heart of a community. Many of CAN-DO’s projects have this higher purpose in mind. The Rwanda soccer project will help to unify a village. CAN-DO also unified women and children to rebuild a playground in Sri Lanka, and brought rivaling men together to rebuild an ancient community well for bathing.
DONATIONS
How do I know my donation is making a difference?
CAN-DO is committed to reporting results through video presentation and paper transparency. We invite you to view our videos on this site and those on our CAN-DO Network site where we are building a Virtual Volunteer program at http://www.virtualvolunteer.tv.
Do you have a list of projects that I can help with?
Due to the overwhelming response from our supporters, CAN-DO will soon post a list of each project on the CAN-DO website outlining how individuals, corporations or sponsors can get involved with a specific project. Pricing will also be listed. How’s that for transparency?
How do I donate to specific projects?
On each project there is a specific "donate" tab. You can also specify where you want your donation to go when submitting checks/money orders by mail.
Is CAN-DO.org a 501c3?
Yes CAN-DO is a registered 501c3 and all donations are tax-deductible.
EIN/TAX ID# 20-1489
How do I make a donation?
You can make a tax-deductible donation via our web site,  https://secure.can-do.org
Or you may send check or money order to:
CAN-DO
578 Washington Blvd. Ste. 390
Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
*You can also specify to which project you want to donation
Are you looking for just monetary donations or others, and if so, what kind?
CAN-DO invites monetary donations as well as goods and services but only those that meet the specific needs of the people and communities we are trying to help following a major disaster. While we cannot come to your house to pick up donations of clothing, etc., nor do we have facilities to store items we may or may not need in the future, CAN-DO does look to its partners to provide immediate, custom aid for our projects as needed. For example, following Hurricane Katrina, victims needed tents, survival equipment and clothing, and we tapped North Face to provide these items. The company donated $150K in items that were needed most, which CAN-DO then delivered via its 25+ distribution centers across three states on the Gulf Coast. We are looking to partner with other companies that can be on standby for these kinds of relief projects.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Do you have volunteer opportunities?
Yes, CAN-DO is always looking for volunteers to join with our partner programs during a natural disaster or for helping out with projects we list on our site or though VirtualVolunteer.tv. Soon each project will list specific guidelines, pricing and itineraries on the CAN-DO website.
I am a teacher or student, how can I get my class involved?
You can set up an education exchange program through CAN-DO or contact the Education Exchange directly through its website Education Exchange. This organization is a highly ethical, trusted partner and part of the CAN-DO Network.
JOINING OUR NETWORK
How does the CAN-DO Network work
CAN-DO’s “direct impact” relief efforts have been so successful that we decided to expand on the concept by creating a network of trusted, ethical grassroots organizations and individuals with different focuses that enable us to expand our resources and deliver aid together as needed.
How do I become part of the CAN-DO Network?
Simple...To become part of the CAN-DO Network you must be an organization that is ethical, transparent and accountable. We will do our homework to be sure your ideals, strategy, tactics are well aligned with CAN-DO. If you meet our guidelines, we will invite you to join our network. To get started, contact us via email or post your projects on VirtualVolunteer.tv.
CAN-DO VS. BIG ORGANIZATIONS
Isn't it safer to just donate to one of the big branded organizations?
While there are many global relief organizations that are doing good work, our opinion is that there is too much money exchanging hands in these organizations and that amount is hardly the same as what is being provided to those who need it most. The “big organizations” are also mired down with politics, red tape and bureaucracy, which often prevents them from delivering critical aid immediately and the kind that requires a longer-term commitment. CAN-DO is 100% accountable with zero red tape. We don’t get involved in the bureaucracy and greed that only cripples progress and interferes with the well being of those whose lives are impacted by disaster.
I've never heard of CAN-DO before, how do I know you are legitimate?
CAN-DO enables people who make charitable donations to actually see how their money is being spent. Video, photographs and our websites offer documentation of our efforts every step of the way. CAN-DO has also received commendations from politicians/civic leaders including: Former U.S. President, Bill Clinton; Mayor of Galle, Sri Lanka, M.I. Mohamed Ariff; Mississippi Governor, Haley Barbour, and First Lady, Marsha Barbour; Biloxi Mayor, A.J. Holloway; Rwandan Minister of Education, Jeanne D'Arc Mujawamariya. If that doesn’t convince you, we can provide references!
How can I watch my money go to a good cause? How can I track progress?
CAN-DO’s site features many videos documenting our work from Sri Lanka to the U.S. Gulf Coast to Africa. Many of those videos can also be seen and shared on YouTube and Facebook. You can also visit our CAN-DO Network site (www.virtualvolunteer.tv) where an individual or business can choose a project that’s important to them and donate, track progress. Please join our newsletter on the site and we’ll keep you up-to-date on our efforts that way as well. We also invite you to join us as friends on Facebook and MySpace to keep in touch, follow our progress!
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Can-Do - FAQ's 