Charities Foundation
The Charities Foundation of AFICS/NY is here to support members in times of need - whether through financial assistance, housing referrals, help during medical emergencies, or guidance in times of crisis.
Foundation seeks donations to help those in need
The Charities Foundation of AFICS/NY is a 501(c)(3) charity, which offers grants to assist members of AFICS/NY and other qualified former international civil servants who face critical, unusual or emergency personal hardships of a temporary nature which cannot be met from other available resources. The Foundation has limited funding and relies on donations to continue its mission of helping members in need. Contributions are tax-deductible, and any amount is greatly appreciated. The Foundation would greatly appreciate support from AFICS/NY members who can support its work.
Click here for more information on the Foundation and how you can contribute.
Click here for more information on how to apply for Foundation assistance.
Help in time of emergency need
Critical, unusual or emergency hardships can crop up at any time during retirement and create a difficult financial season. Usually it is temporary, but sometimes very hard to get the necessary help in time.
The Charities Foundation of AFICS/NY has been helping international civil servants since1997 to address just such circumstances. If you are a qualified former international civil servant whose employment with an international organization makes you eligible to receive a pension benefit from the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF) and you are facing hardship from an unexpected financial emergency or you are in need of a short-term grant to tide you over a difficult period, help is available. Your recognized dependents (including dependent children, a surviving spouse, former spouse or domestic partner) experiencing similar difficulties, will also qualify for assistance from The Charities Foundation.
Grants of between $1,000 and $6,000 are usually given out after consideration by the Foundation’s Assistance Review Committee. The Foundation operates with empathy and in the strictest confidence. It also works closely with the UNJSPF’s Emergency Fund and reviews any cases referred to it by the Fund. In the case of a larger amount being needed The Foundation also forwards cases to the Emergency Fund. Please note that grants are not intended to supplement pensions.
So, if you are facing economic hardship because of an unexpected financial situation or you are aware of a former colleague who is experiencing financial distress, please submit an application giving the specific amount requested, its purpose, and detailed supporting documentation. Grants will only be considered if accompanied by all required supporting documents.
The Foundation would like to continue to help all members in emergency need, but its funds are limited. As a 501(c)(3) charity it offers members the opportunity to contribute to its funding and welcomes donations that are tax deductible. Please give generously to help the foundation support others in their time of need.
The Foundation was established in 1997 to assist members of AFICS/NY and other qualified former international civil servants, their dependents and survivors (including current or former spouses or domestic partners, and children) who face critical, unusual or emergency personal hardships of a temporary nature which cannot be met from other available resources; who seek to acquire or upgrade skills for post-retirement activities; and to support humanitarian causes where this is consistent with the United Nations Charter.
Foundation updates
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AFICS/NY Members are requested that they alert the Foundation to any individual who might be in critical need of assistance which cannot be met from other available resources, but may not even know of the Foundation’s existence. All are reminded that they and other qualified former international civil servants, their dependents and survivors who face critical, unusual or emergency personal hardship of a temporary nature or who seek to acquire or upgrade skills for post-retirement activities are eligible to apply for a grant.
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In 2020, the Foundation received the $25,000 bequest and $70 in donations; $8,300 grants were given to individuals, with $3,000 donated to Organizations.
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In 2019, $1,850 were received in donations, with $6,000 given out as grants to individuals and $1,000 donated to Organizations.
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In 2018, $676 were received in donations, a total of $5,000 were given out as grants and $1,500 was donated to UNHCR.
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In 2018 through its Assistance Review Committee, the Foundation had made two grants during the year, totaling $5000: $3,000 was granted for costly needed medication and $2,000 to help in rental and moving operations.
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As the Foundation is also authorized to make grants to humanitarian causes, at their Annual Meeting on 5 December 2018, it was unanimously decided for 2018 to make a grant of $1,500 to UNHCR (through the funding mechanism USA for UNHCR) earmarking it for Yemen.
Governance & Administration
The Charities Foundation has a Board of Directors and an Assistance Review Committee. The Assistance Review Committee (ARC) examines requests and has authority to makes final decisions on all applications up to $4,000.00. For grants above this amount the approval of the Board of Directors is required.
How to apply
Requests for grants may be sent in by mail or via email to the AFICS/NY Office. All requests for grants are kept strictly confidential. So as to facilitate and speed up the Assistance Review Committee's review of any individual case, applications should include, to the extent possible, the amount requested, its purpose, and detailed supporting documentation.
Office Mailing Address
The Association of Former International Civil Servants/NY (AFICS/NY), c/o United Nations
ATT: The Charities Foundation
405 E 42nd Street, Room U-400
New York NY 10017, USA
Email afics@un.org (subject should include “The Charities Foundation”)
Call the AFICS/NY Office at +1(212) 963-2943 for further grant application submission assistance.
How to donate
1. By Check
Mail a check payable to:
The Treasurer, Charities Foundation
405 E 42nd Street, Room U-400
New York, NY 10017
2. By Member-to-Member Transfer (UNFCU)
To set up a one-time link:
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Log in to UNFCU and go to "Transfer & Payments"
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Select "Transfer to Members"
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Click "Manage Linked Accounts" → "Add New Account"
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Enter the following details:
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Last Name/Organization Name: Foundation
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Member Number: 1444720
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Account Code: 101444720000
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Account Nickname: Choose any label
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For ongoing transfers:
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Go to "Transfer & Payments" → "Transfer to Members"
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Select the Charities Foundation account
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Click "Start Transfer"
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Enter:
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Amount, transfer date, and source account
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In the Purpose/Comment/Note field, choose "Other" and enter:
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Your first initial and last name
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Purpose: Donation
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(Note: Without this info, we cannot issue an acknowledgment for your records.)
3. Through a Donor Advised Fund
To donate via a Donor Advised Fund, use the Foundation’s EIN: 13-3970028.
4. As an End-of-Life Legacy
Consider leaving a lasting impact by naming the Charities Foundation as a beneficiary on an account. Many members choose this way to support future colleagues.
We are happy to discuss any of these items with you if you need further guidance or information.
Anthony Fouracre
President
Charities Foundation
Association of Former International Civil Servants (AFICS/NY)