FAQs

Do you have a question you would like to ask? If so, we would be delighted to answer. Of course, if your query is not among the following list of FAQ’s, you are welcome to call us or simply send an e-mail to: info@lr-global-kids-fund.com

General Information on the LR GLOBAL KIDS FUND

1) What's behind the LR GLOBAL KIDS FUND?

The name is what it says: LR because the idea and initiative come from LR Health & Beauty Systems. GLOBAL because we currently operate at 30 locations across the globe, and KIDS FUND because we target our help to children in need.

The idea of setting up our own charity fund evolved from donation activities already in place at LR: Alongside our central donation activity, we additionally intend to utilize our potential of being present at 30 locations world-wide to take a proactive part in providing specifically targeted aid at local level. On this basis, every LR location actively becomes a "good citizen" by using the LR GLOBAL KIDS FUND to offer support for causes that need it most in its own country.

2) Does the LR GLOBAL KIDS FUND only operate in Germany or in other countries too?

Although for the time being the LR GLOBAL KIDS FUND only exists as a German association, it is also represented by a national office at all 30 LR locations. In the medium term, we will also be setting up a sister organization of the LR GLOBAL KIDS FUND for each of our locations.

The German LR GLOBAL KIDS FUND cooperates closely with the project managers at the various national offices and, in addition to its local activities, is also responsible for campaigns and communication measures in place at global level.

3) I've never heard of the LR GLOBAL KIDS FUND – are you trustworthy?

LR Health & Beauty Systems, initiator of the LR GLOBAL KIDS FUND, has been on the market for 24 years and is Germany's largest direct marketing companies in the field of dietary supplements and cosmetics. Continuous growth with healthy profits as well as operations at 30 locations around the world also make LR an established Global Player in the industry.

In the past, LR has for many years given financial support to the SOS Children's Villages and other organizations on a centralized basis from company headquarters. With the LR GLOBAL KIDS FUND, every LR location can become an active "good citizen" itself and offer direct help at local level. This allows us to target investments in specific projects and measures and obtain an exact picture of just how effectively donated money is being used.

4) How does the LR GLOBAL KIDS FUND finance its projects?

So far, LR Health & Beauty Systems GmbH has been the main sponsor of the LR GLOBAL KIDS FUND. In addition, donations from LR marketing partners and staff, from the public, suppliers, co-operation partners or from promotions are an indispensable and important basis of the help we provide.

5) What criteria does the LR GLOBAL KIDS FUND select projects by?

Projects supported by the LR GLOBAL KIDS FUND must meet the following criteria:

  1. The project / project partner supports children in need.
     
  2. The project/ project partner is based in an LR country.
     
  3. The project / project partner and its work are transparent, trustworthy and respectable.
     
  4. The project / project partner helps children in need with no strings attached – in other words, the support provided is not tied to any return service (e.g. conversion to a belief).
     
  5. The project / project partner does not select the children it helps on the basis of nationality, gender, religion and ethnic identity.
     
  6. The project / project partner is able to show that the project stands on an economically stable footing and will be integrated positively in the local environment.
     
  7. The LR GLOBAL KIDS FUND can actively participate / contribute and remain independent at all times so as to ensure an impartial allocation of funds (allocation of resources).
     
  8. The project partner / organization should be independent in terms of politics and confession so as to avoid clashes of interests.

6) How much of my donation actually reaches the projects I want to support?

Almost 100% !

Administrative and PR costs are kept to an absolute minimum so that the greatest possible share of money donated goes directly to needy children.

7) And how can I be sure that my donation really goes to where it's needed: monitoring and evaluation of effectiveness?

  1. Wherever possible or necessary, the LR GLOBAL KIDS FUND monitors local projects directly or cooperates in this respect with an organization of impeccable reputation.
     
  2. LR GLOBAL KIDS FUND staff regularly visit projects and record progress or advances made.
     
  3. The LR GLOBAL KIDS FUND demands regular reports (e.g. one every quarter, however at least annually) as well as statements of account (showing how monies donated have been used) from its co-operation partners
     
  4. The LR GLOBAL KIDS FUND evaluates on the basis of the following criteria:

    • Relevance: To what extent does the project help to achieve the targets set?
       
    • Efficiency: Are resources being used as economically as possible?
       
    • Effectiveness: Is the project achieving the results aimed for?
       
    • Effect: What are the results (positive / negative; intended / not attended)?
       
    • Sustainability: Will the results be maintained or further developed if support from outside will be discontinued?

8) How does LR GLOBAL KIDS FUND guarantee monitored implementation?

LR GLOBAL KIDS FUND enters into a detailed written agreement with co-operation partners to ensure that measures are implemented.

Project money is controlled and managed on a centralized basis from Ahlen. This provides protection against local banking risks, prevents losses through exchange rates and guards against corruption. Step by step, project funds are paid out to the project concerned in the particular country – only ever as much as necessary for the project concerned. Project progress must be documented before further funds are paid out.

9) Why is the LR GLOBAL KIDS FUND an association and not a foundation?

Because a foundation in Germany incurs significantly higher administrative costs. Our aim is to ensure that every cent from our donors goes to wherever it is needed most urgently: to the children we support through various projects and measures.

10) Can I also visit the projects the LR GLOBAL KIDS FUND supports?

Occasionally we receive inquiries from donors who would like to visit the projects the LR GLOBAL KIDS FUND supports – a request that is comprehensible. However, please understand that our aim here is to protect and respect the dignity and rights of those concerned by not exposing them in their destiny to the public eye all the time.

However, we are working on a solution that will allow organized visitor groups to visit an aid project or even actively support it and get to know the LR GLOBAL KIDS FUND work.

11) Are there further information available on the LR GLOBAL KIDS FUND?

Detailed information about our work is available at www.lr-global-kids-fund.com. We provide regular coverage of our campaigns and projects in the "LR Magazine".

Supporting the LR GLOBAL KIDS FUND

1) How can I help best?

Money donations to the LR GLOBAL KIDS FUND are the most effective way of implementing our goals into successful projects. However, for the time being, donations can only be made to the German and the Swiss association. But we are undertaking all efforts that you soon have the opportunity to help also in other countries in which the LR GLOBAL KIDS FUND is represented.

2) Does the LR GLOBAL KIDS FUND also accept donations in kind from private individuals or companies?

Unfortunately, the LR GLOBAL KIDS FUND does not take donations in kind from private individuals for the following reasons:

As a rule, goods are donated that are often worth less than the cost of packing and sending them to recipients.

Often, donations provided in the form of goods cannot be distributed fairly among the needy at local level.

We do make exceptions for donations in kind that

  1. are intended specifically for a project and
     
  2. do not have to leave the country in which they are donated so as to avoid problems with transportation and customs. In this regard, we would kindly ask you to directly contact the respective project manager responsible in the country concerned.

3) Do I get a donation receipt for my donation?

The LR GLOBAL KIDS FUND currently only operates at the various LR locations as a German and Swiss association. We are therefore able to provide you as a foreign donor with receipts for your donations, however these may not be recognized by your local tax authorities. We hope soon to be able to set up a local counterpart to the LR GLOBAL KIDS FUND at every location so that foreign donors can also receive recognized receipts for their donations.

4) Can I become a member of the LR GLOBAL KIDS FUND?

For organizational reasons, this is not possible for the time being. We are, however, considering this option and working on its implementation.

5) Is there a possibility of setting off donations contributed by LR marketing partners to the LR GLOBAL KIDS FUND against the bonus?

Unfortunately, such donations cannot be set off against the bonus.

6) Can I organize a donation or fund raising for the LR GLOBAL KIDS FUND?

Joining hands and getting things moving is fun and not at all difficult! We are always pleased about creative friends of the LR GLOBAL KIDS FUND and support honorary commitment with help and advice. Please do not hesitate to ask us.

How the LR GLOBAL KIDS FUND helps

1) Exactly how does the parcel initiative work?

Each year LR Health & Beauty Systems sends out some 2 million parcels to its customers worldwide.

Since 1 January 2009 every one of them now helps children in need!

Because for every parcel we send out, a contribution in the amount of 5 cents is made to an LR GLOBAL KIDS FUND project. The project to be supported depends on the country from which the LR parcel is sent. For example, a parcel from Germany helps German children in need, a parcel sent from Norway helps Norwegian children and a parcel sent from the Philippines helps needy Philippine children. In this way we want to shed light on the local situation and improve the lot of children in need in our own countries, on the spot.

In other words: Every parcel counts! The more parcels each country sends out the higher the donation amount for the corresponding country project.

2) What campaigns does the LR GLOBAL KIDS FUND organize?

The LR GLOBAL KIDS FUND carries out supporting measures that generate money donations for good causes. Here, each LR location is responsible for its own projects and activities.

3) Can the LR GLOBAL KIDS FUND support my organization?

The LR GLOBAL KIDS FUND cooperates with partners who have been proposed by their own organization.

4) Can I also suggest projects to the LR GLOBAL KIDS FUND?

We are pleased to receive project suggestions in the countries we operate a national office. However, we cannot guarantee the extent to which consideration will be given to suggestions made.