If you are looking for information about Yarra Foundation, chances are that someone else has also asked a similar question. Have a look through our frequently asked questions below and if you still haven't found what you are looking for, please feel free to contact Yarra Foundation on Info@Yarrafoundation.com

 

Who is Yarra Foundation?

Yarra Foundation is a charity organisation based in Australia that is dedicated to the provision and enhancement of education for disadvantaged children in Iran.Yarra Foundation delivers long-term development and educational programs to support children in Iran. We work together to share expertise, coordinate activities and pool resources, which enables us to extend our reach and impact for children to access education. Yarra Foundation is registered as:

 

• A charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC)

• Consumer Affairs Victoria as an Incorporated Association (ABN 85168357033)

 

Does Yarra Foundation have any political or religious affiliations?

No. Yarra Foundation is an Australian based not for profit organisation which is child-focused, independent, development organisation. While we respect the rule and regulation of Australia and Iran, we have no membership or affiliation to any political party or religion.

 

Where does Yarra Foundation work?

Yarra Foundation activities are twofold. Management,administration, and fundraising activities are undertaken in Australia. The educational projects are implemented in Iran.

 

How does Yarra Foundation determine whether a project is effective?
To ensure we are assisting children in the best possible way and investing funds where they are most needed, our programs are continually monitored and evaluated to measure their impact and effectiveness. We do this through financial and project reporting, regular monitoring visits through our trusted representatives in Iran, program reflections, and formal evaluations.

 

Does Yarra Foundation work with other organisations?

Yes. Whenever we start a project, campaign or emergency response, we consider what other organisations are doing and how our work will complement existing initiatives. We work in partnerships with other organisations when a collaborative approach will increase our effectiveness.

 

Is Yarra Foundation-accredited by any organisation in Australia?

Yarra Foundation is fully accredited by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). This means DFAT and the Australian public, are confident that Yarra Foundation funding professional, well managed, community-based organisations that are capable of delivering quality development outcomes.

 

Does Yarra Foundation subscribe to a Code of Conduct?

Yarra Foundation board member developed “Code of Conduct” and "Yarra Rules".This Code defines standards of governance, management, financial control and reporting with which Yarra Foundation should comply, and identifies mechanisms to ensure accountability in the use of public monies.

 

How are programs funded?

Our programs are funded by funds received from supporters, government funding, and corporate sponsorships.

 

Does Yarra Foundation president or any of its Executive Directors earn bonuses?

All of the board members working fully on a voluntary basis.

 

How does Yarra foundation handle fraud and corruption?

Yarra Foundation has a zero tolerance approach to fraud and corruption, to ensure that we can continue our important work to improve the lives of vulnerable children and their families.  To safeguard against fraud and corruption, we apply strict financial controls in all our dealings with partner organisations.According to Yarra Rules, two internal auditors monitor organisation performance randomly. These auditors also respond to the requests of the members for accessing documentation and evidence of raised fundings and project expenditures.

 

How did Yarra Foundation begin its work?

Yarra Foundation was founded in Australia by a group of Iranian immigrants in 2012. The founders believed that education is critical for breaking the loop of illiteracy and poverty, it should be available to all, and the investment was worth the cost. They started the Foundation with a group of friends and supporters by organising fundraising dinner parties and invested in children's education in Iran.In 2014, Yarra Foundation was registered in Australia as a charity to continue its mission, access to quality education, without limits or restrictions.Due to having a great number of trusted resources and familiarity with Iranian community, we put our main focus and effort to work with disadvantage children in Iran.

 

Can I work as a volunteer in Yarra Foundation?

Yes! Volunteers play a vital role in helping Yarra improve the lives of vulnerable children. Volunteering is a great way to meet new people, be part of the Yarra Foundation community, and help improve your career prospects. Find out more about volunteering with Yarra here.

 

Can I volunteer if I work full time?

There are a number of ways you can use your time and skills to support our work, even if you have a full-time job. Some volunteer roles require only a few hours on a weekend while others involve a longer, ongoing commitment outside of office hours.

 

What skills or experience do I need to volunteer?

Our volunteers come from a diverse range of backgrounds and ages with a wide range of skills and experiences. From young people to retirees, professionals and people looking for work, we encourage everyone to volunteer.

 

Are my donations to Yarra Foundation tax-deductible?

We are working with a law firm to apply for Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status. At this stage your donation is not tax-deductible; however, we are getting this status by 2017.

 

How do I unsubscribe from Yarra Foundation emails and/or newsletter?

Please contact the Team on info@Yarrafoundation.com or alternatively contact Yarra at  +61 470 240 458 and we will happily assist you with your request.

 

How can you be sure that funds raised in Australia reach children in need overseas?

All projects in Iran supported by Australian funds are implemented through Yarra Foundation representatives and partners and rigorously monitored by Yarra’s staff in Australia and Iran.Yarra’s monitoring systems ensure it is known where and how the aid is being used – Yarra tracks the supplies from the initial phase of a project to the people who need it, based on need. In addition, Yarra’s programs are independently audited once a year and Yarra undertakes on-the-ground evaluations to ensure aid money is being spent effectively and to ensure plans are put in place to invest it well in the future.

Yarra Foundation has strict processes for selecting local partners to ensure that they have the skills to deliver the project and are aligned with the Foundation's purpose.  Yarra also has strict internal controls on how the money is managed in-country – to ensure the Foundation can be completely accountable to the donors including the Australian Government.

 

How can I donate:

Please refer to here for all donation avenues.Alternatively, you can donate to Yarra Foundation bank account details as below:

 

Bank of Melbourne

BSB Number: 193879 

Account Number: 449109401 

Account Name: Yarra Foundation Inc.

 

How can I or my business become Yarra’s sponsor?

There are two types of sponsorship for your business:

• Yarra's sponsor

• Yarra's Major sponsor

To find out more about the agreement process, the conditions for receiving the title from Yarra Foundation and the promises that Yarra holds for the businesses please read here and contact Yarra Foundation via:

 

E-mail: Info@Yarrafoundation.com 

Phone: +61 410 396 140