Educate the Needy Children (ENC) is committed to protecting the privacy of our donors, sponsors, website visitors, and the children we serve. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and how we keep it safe. If you have questions at any time, please email us at educateneedy@gmail.com.

Section 01

Who We Are

Educate the Needy Children (ENC) is a 100% volunteer-run, U.S.-registered nonprofit organization (IRS 501(c)3, EIN: 27-3228417). Founded in 2011, ENC works to provide educational access and need-based scholarships to underprivileged children in Nepal, primarily in the Bhattedanda–Pyutar area of Lalitpur district.

ENC operates in partnership with ShivaMaya Educate the Children Organisation (SETCO), which manages on-the-ground program delivery in Nepal. Our mission is non-religious and non-political — our donors, volunteers, children, and their families span all beliefs and backgrounds, united by a shared goal of breaking the cycle of poverty through education.

Our mailing address is: 531 Rose Ln, Bartlett, IL 60103, USA. You may contact us at educateneedy@gmail.com.

Section 02

Information We Collect

ENC collects personal information only when you voluntarily provide it to us — for example, when you make a donation, enroll in the sponsorship program, or contact us. The types of information we may collect include:

  • Contact information — full name, email address, mailing address, and phone number.
  • Donation information — donation amount, frequency, and preferred payment method (we do not store payment card details).
  • Sponsorship preferences — child preference, communication preferences, and anonymity requests.
  • Communications — messages, questions, or comments you send us via email or contact forms.
  • Website usage data — general browsing data such as pages visited, browser type, device type, and referring URL, collected via cookies and analytics tools.

We do not collect sensitive personal information such as government ID numbers, financial account details, or health information.

Section 03

How We Use Your Information

ENC uses the personal information you provide solely for legitimate nonprofit purposes, including:

  • Processing your donation and issuing tax receipts or acknowledgments where required.
  • Matching you with a sponsored child and communicating updates on their academic progress, school attendance, and family circumstances.
  • Sending program newsletters, annual impact reports, and updates about ENC's work in Nepal — only where you have opted in or where it is a reasonable expectation of your relationship with us.
  • Responding to your questions, feedback, or requests submitted via email or contact forms.
  • Improving our website and communications based on aggregated, anonymized usage data.
  • Complying with legal obligations, such as IRS reporting requirements for charitable organizations.

ENC does not use your personal data for advertising, profiling, or any commercial purpose. We are a volunteer-run nonprofit and your data is used only to further our mission of educating children in Nepal.

Section 04

How We Share Your Information

ENC does not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to any third party. We may share your information only in the following limited circumstances:

  • With SETCO (Nepal) — to facilitate the delivery of your sponsorship and provide progress updates on the child you support. SETCO handles all data shared with it in accordance with the purpose of the sponsorship.
  • With payment processors — PayPal, Zelle, and Venmo process your payment transactions. These platforms have their own privacy policies and ENC does not receive or store your payment card data.
  • With legal authorities — if required by law, court order, or applicable regulation, ENC may disclose information to comply with legal obligations.
  • Anonymous donors — if you request anonymity, ENC will not disclose your identity in any public-facing communications, reports, or materials.

ENC will never disclose the identity, photographs, or personal details of sponsored children to any party other than the relevant sponsor, and only with appropriate consent and child safeguarding considerations in place.

Section 05

Cookies & Tracking

The ENC website may use cookies and similar tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience and understand how visitors interact with our site. Cookies are small text files stored on your device.

  • Essential cookies — required for core website functions such as form submissions and page navigation.
  • Analytics cookies — used to collect anonymous data about page visits and user behavior to help us improve the site (e.g., Google Analytics).
  • Third-party cookies — payment platforms such as PayPal may set their own cookies when you interact with donation buttons.

You may disable cookies through your browser settings at any time. Disabling analytics cookies will not affect your ability to donate or use the website.

Section 06

Donations & Payment Data

ENC accepts donations via PayPal, Zelle, Venmo, and mailed personal checks. All financial transactions are processed by these third-party platforms. ENC does not collect, store, or process credit card, debit card, or bank account numbers directly.

100% of every donation goes directly to children in Nepal. ENC's overheads — including website and administrative costs — are covered entirely by volunteers and board members, so your gift is never used for organizational expenses.

For donations of $250 or more, ENC will provide a written acknowledgment for IRS tax deduction purposes upon request. Your bank or payment processor statement serves as a receipt for smaller contributions. ENC's tax-exempt status can be verified using EIN 27-3228417 at apps.irs.gov/app/eos/.

Donations are final and non-refundable except in cases of documented processing errors. Refund requests must be submitted within 30 days to educateneedy@gmail.com.

Section 07

Children's Privacy

ENC is dedicated to the safety and dignity of the children it serves. While our programs benefit children in Nepal, our website and donation services are intended for adults (18 years and older). We do not knowingly collect personal information from minors through our website.

Photographs and stories of sponsored children shared on our website or with sponsors are handled with care:

  • Photos are shared only with the relevant sponsor or in anonymized form on the website.
  • Children's full names and precise home addresses are never publicly disclosed.
  • All use of children's images complies with child safeguarding principles and, where applicable, parental or guardian consent.

If you believe any content on our website presents a child safety concern, please contact us immediately at educateneedy@gmail.com.

Section 08

Data Security

ENC takes reasonable steps to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, disclosure, or misuse. These steps include:

  • Use of secure, reputable third-party platforms for all financial transactions.
  • Limiting access to personal data to only those board members and volunteers who need it to carry out their responsibilities.
  • Using email communication with reasonable care and not including sensitive financial details in plain-text emails.

However, no method of data transmission over the internet is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, ENC cannot guarantee absolute security. If you believe your data has been compromised, please contact us immediately.

Section 09

Your Rights

You have the following rights with respect to your personal information held by ENC:

  • Access — you may request a copy of the personal data ENC holds about you.
  • Correction — you may ask us to correct inaccurate or incomplete data.
  • Deletion — you may request that we delete your personal data, subject to any legal obligations ENC must fulfill (e.g., IRS record-keeping requirements).
  • Opt-out — you may unsubscribe from ENC newsletters or program update emails at any time by replying to any email or contacting us directly.
  • Anonymity — you may request that your identity not be disclosed in any ENC communications or public materials.

To exercise any of these rights, please email educateneedy@gmail.com. We will respond within a reasonable timeframe and at no charge to you.

Section 10

Third-Party Links

The ENC website contains links to third-party websites including PayPal, Zelle, Venmo, and the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search. These links are provided for your convenience. ENC does not control these websites and is not responsible for their content or privacy practices.

We encourage you to read the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit, particularly before submitting any personal or financial information.

Section 11

Changes to This Policy

ENC may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. When we make changes, we will update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page.

For significant changes, we will make reasonable efforts to notify registered donors and sponsors via email. Your continued use of the website or submission of donations after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the revised policy.

Section 12

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to questions we receive most often. Want to speak directly with one of our board members? Email us at educateneedy@gmail.com.

What is Educate the Needy Children (ENC)?

ENC is a U.S.-registered nonprofit (IRS 501(c)3) founded in 2011. We provide need-based scholarships and educational support to underprivileged children in Nepal — primarily in the Bhattedanda–Pyutar area of Lalitpur district. We work in partnership with SETCO, our Nepal-based partner organization, to deliver scholarships, training programs, and food support to over 150 children across eleven schools.

Who do you work for?

We work for the children of Nepal — specifically those from resource-poor Dalit communities and rural areas who face the greatest barriers to education. Over 90% of our sponsored children come from Dalit communities, and about two-thirds are girls. ENC's goal is to help every child complete their education from Grade 1 through Grade 12.

Are you a religious or political organization?

No. ENC is neither a religious nor a political organization. Our donors, volunteers, board members, children, and their families come from all faiths and backgrounds. We share one common goal: breaking the cycle of poverty through education.

Where does my donation actually go?

100% of your donation goes directly to children in Nepal. ENC's overheads — including website costs and administrative expenses — are covered entirely by board members and volunteers. Funds are used for need-based cash scholarships (~$6.50/month per child), school bags, clothing, stationery, Personality Development Training (PDT), food support for the poorest children, and maintenance of the SSN Learning Center in Bhattedanda.

How do you make sure donations are spent wisely?

SETCO monitors each sponsored child's school attendance and academic progress at least three times per year through regular consultations with school principals, teachers, and parents. Cash scholarships are distributed directly to students or their parents in the presence of school officials. ENC is fully transparent and will share a summary of how funds were used upon request.

Is my gift tax-deductible?

Yes. ENC is recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)3 tax-exempt public charity (EIN: 27-3228417). Donations are generally tax-deductible to the extent permitted by U.S. law. You can verify our status at apps.irs.gov/app/eos/. For donations of $250 or more, ENC will provide a written acknowledgment upon request.

How can I get a tax receipt?

For donations under $250, your PayPal, Zelle, or bank statement serves as a receipt. For donations of $250 or more, please email us at educateneedy@gmail.com with your donation details and we will issue a written acknowledgment letter.

How can I make a donation?

You can donate via PayPal (card or bank account), Zelle (send to educateneedy@gmail.com), Venmo (search @edunc-org), or by mailing a personal check to: Educate the Needy Children, 531 Rose Ln, Bartlett, IL 60103, USA. An annual donation of $150 funds one child's full scholarship; $75 covers six months.

Can my employer match my donation?

Many employers offer matching gift programs for nonprofit donations. Check with your HR department or employee benefits portal to see if your company matches charitable contributions. If your employer requires verification of ENC's nonprofit status, our EIN is 27-3228417 and we are happy to provide a confirmation letter — just email us at educateneedy@gmail.com.

Who runs ENC — can I talk to someone?

ENC is run entirely by a team of dedicated volunteer board members and advisors who serve without pay. You are always welcome to reach out directly at educateneedy@gmail.com and a board member will personally respond to your message.

Section 13

Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your personal data, please contact ENC directly:

Still have questions?

Our volunteer board members personally read and respond to every message. We believe in full transparency — don't hesitate to reach out.

Email educateneedy@gmail.com