IITGAA Enabling Alumni Philanthropy

In the spirit of continuous innovation and fostering a deeper connection within our community, we have always sought ways to streamline our efforts and maximize the impact of our collective actions.

Historically, when rallying support for various causes, we've leaned on third-party platforms like GoFundMe or Milaap. While these services have been instrumental in helping us achieve our goals, they've come with a significant caveat — the inability for our donors to receive tax deductions on their contributions and fees getting charged on transactions. This limitation, albeit small in the grand scheme of things, has prompted us to seek a more beneficial solution for everyone involved.

After thoughtful deliberation and exploration, I am excited to announce that we've found a way to enhance our fundraising efforts while providing additional benefits to our donors. Leveraging the resources of the IIT Guwahati Alumni Association (IITGAA), we've devised a method that not only simplifies the process but also amplifies the impact of your generosity.

How Does It Work?

Starting now, any alumni looking to initiate a fundraising campaign for a cause close to their heart can do so directly through their personal PayPal account. Here's how:

1. Visit Your PayPal Account: Log into your account and navigate to the 'Charities' section.
2. Search for IITGAA: Look up "IIT Guwahati Alumni Association" and select it as your charity of choice. Favorite it
3. Create Your Campaign: Provide details about the cause you're championing and set your fundraising goal.
4. Spread the Word: Once your campaign is live, share the unique URL with friends, family, and fellow alumni to gather support.

Advantages of this Method

This new approach offers several key advantages:

• Zero Transaction Fees: Donors will not incur any platform fees, ensuring that 100% of contributions go towards the cause.
• Increased Reach & Accountability: Distribute your distinctive campaign URL across extensive networks, maximizing exposure. Multiple alumni may independently advocate for the same cause, utilizing their unique URLs without any dependencies, ensuring a broad and coordinated outreach.
• Tax Deductible Receipts: Ability for donor to receive tax-deductible receipts for their donations.
• Ease of Use: Anyone can create a campaign directly from their PayPal account or app. Raise funds for any cause related to IITGAA and its alumni, with the freedom to tailor your campaign as you see fit.
• Direct Contributions: All donations go straight to the IITGAA PayPal account (through PayPal giving fund), ensuring transparency and efficiency in fund management.

Note: Registered charities (like IITGAA) typically receive funds in their PayPal accounts 15-45 days after PayPal Giving Fund's receipt of a donation. More details here

Experience It Yourself

To get a better understanding of how this new process works, and to visualize the ease with which you can now contribute, please check out the following resources:

• Mobile Experience: https://youtube.com/shorts/3fXi98ji3j4

By streamlining our fundraising process and providing tax-deductible options for our donors without incurring transaction fees, we're not just making it easier to give back — we're enhancing the value and impact of every contribution.

Warm regards,

Vikash Kodati

Treasurer, IIT Guwahati Alumni Association