How do you choose partners in the directory?
We select the international partners of She’s the First with great care and diligence. We look for partners that are dedicated to girls’ education, totally transparent in their work, and show positive results. We also look for programs that go above and beyond, whether by instituting special programming for girls or by using innovative teaching techniques, oftentimes involving technology and the arts. The programs we support either have a 50:50 ratio of girls to boys, or a strong plan in place for attaining that goal. Most critically, we look for programs that work closely with the local community and are sustainable in the long term. Prospective partners should have a sponsorship program that has been running for at least one year, prior to applying to our directory.
How can my not-for-profit join the directory?
Contact our Director of International Operations, Christen Brandt, christen@shesthefirst.org, to begin the vetting process. Potential directory partners go through a vetting process that includes preliminary information-gathering by our research team, at least one interview with our Director of International Operations, a form with statistics and sponsorship breakdown, and the submission of its financial reports.
Are the partners in your directory actual schools, or organizations?
Both! She’s the First is committed to improving girls’ education, and we’re open to the various ways in which that goal can effectively be reached. While some of the partners are actual schools, other partners run programs that provide girls with sponsorships to local or private schools, match them with mentors, teach them life skills or trades, and reduce the obstacles they face on the road to graduation.
Can I write letters to the student I sponsor?
This depends on which partner you decide to support. Some of our partners support and encourage open communication between sponsor and student. Other partners work with children who have been abandoned, and recognize the importance of stability to those students. Or, they work in areas to remote and on resources too limited to facilitate such personalized attention. For them, it makes more sense to have a blind sponsorship. You can learn more about each partner’s communication practices on its profile page.
Why are sponsorships priced so differently? What’s the difference between a program of $300/year sponsorship versus $1,600/year?
There are many variables to determining this number. The most basic is geographic area; some places have a lower cost of living than others. If the school is a boarding school, the costs of supporting a child increase because of the housing and meals. If the program includes mentoring groups, projects, uniforms costs, or meals, the costs will increase. The sponsorship breakdown for each of our partner schools is listed on their profile pages.
Do I have to sponsor a girl for the entire year? What happens if I can only fundraise for part of a year’s education?
Many of our partners offer options for providing supplies to support the girls, so be sure to check the various profiles for this option. If you’d rather contribute money directly to a sponsorship, She’s the First does accept partial sponsorships. Your fundraising efforts will be combined with others in the same position to provide a full year of sponsorship to the partner program you select.
Why is the focus specifically on girls?
Historically, in the countries where She’s the First has partnerships, education for boys has been prioritized over that of girls. Our goal at She’s the First is to help girls’ receive universal access to education and the support needed for attendance. Additionally, sponsoring a girl’s education improves not only her life, but the lives of her family members and community members. For example, women and girls who earn income reinvest 90 percent of it back into their families, while men reinvest between 30 and 40 percent. For more statistics and information, we recommend The Girl Effect’s Fact Sheet.
If I only sponsor a girl for one year, will she be dropped out of school the next?
Both She’s the First and our partners work diligently to ensure that sponsored students are not forgotten after the first year. Each of our partners uses sponsorships from She’s the First to ensure consecutive years of education for students sponsored by the She’s the First community.
Should I donate through the shesthefirst.org website or directly through the partner’s website?
We ask that you donate through the She’s the First website, for the tracking purposes described above. One-hundred percent of your donation for a sponsorship will go to the partner of your choice. She’s the First and all our partner programs are 501(c)(3) organizations. Your direct donation to She’s the First is tax-deductible.
I work for a company that would like to offer in-kind or financial donation. Who should I contact?
Please email our President, Tammy Tibbetts, tammy@shesthefirst.org.
How can I volunteer?
If you live in NYC, we often post volunteer opportunities in our Facebook Group here. But no matter where you are, what we really recommend is hosting your own fundraiser, whether it’s public or private among friends, and you can make a difference with any amount that you raise.
How can I start a chapter of She’s the First at my school?
Now this is a great opportunity for you to be a first yourself, as founder of a campus chapter! You can review the expectations for She’s the First*{Campus} chapters here, and apply if you’re interested. We’re always looking to expand our network of college chapters, and we welcome high school groups as well. Contact campus@shesthefirst.org with questions.
How can I participate in the She’s the First 360 Travel Series?
She’s the First 360 is a user-generated travel series, so anyone with the means to fund their own trip can participate! If you have a desire to visit and volunteer with one of the partners in the She’s the First directory, just let us know and we will connect you with the organization’s director to pursue the possibilities. If it works out, you are invited to blog, photograph, and video record the trip to inform and inspire others on shesthefirst.org.
I’d like to write about She’s the First for a publication. Can I interview you?
Please email info@shesthefirst.org and we’ll help you out! Our About section and past Press coverage might also answer many of your questions.
