FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Vessels of Mercy International is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charity. All contributions designated for specific projects shall be applied to those projects, and we may assess up to 10 percent to be used for administering the gift. Occasionally, we receive more contributions for a given project that can be wisely applied to that project. When that happens, we use these funds to meet a similar pressing need. Contributions are solicited with the understanding that Vessels of Mercy International has complete control over the use of all donated funds.
GENERAL QUESTIONS
Vessels of Mercy International is a non-profit relief and development organization helping to meet the physical and spiritual needs of hurting people in poverty-stricken areas of the world. Through emergency and support roles, people, receive food, education, clean water, clothing, medical aid, vocational training, self-sustaining agricultural projects and hope in Christ!
Vessels of Mercy International is concerned about people who hurt because they not only believe in the words of Jesus but desire to obey them in bringing Life to others, (see Matthew 28).
Vessels of Mercy International is working in underserved, under-resourced countries of the world serving those living in extreme poverty. Currently, we are serving in Romania, Honduras, Cambodia, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Kenya, Haiti, Mozambique, Peru, Malawi, Rwanda, Uganda, Lebanon, Inner city of Richmond, and the United States. Vessels of Mercy International’s headquarters are located in Richmond, Virginia.
Vessels of Mercy International was founded in 1995 by Bev Gibson.
Vessels of Mercy International is supported by individuals, businesses, and organizations.
Vessels of Mercy International has a variety of ways for you to be involved in:
- feeding programs -clean water projects
- short-term missions projects
- disaster relief teams
- community health and wellness training
- medical, dental and vision care outreaches
- sustainable hygiene kit distribution and educational training
- program sponsorship
- agricultural and small livestock projects
- construction projects
- blanket distribution
- translation
- biblical teaching and training
- children’s ministry (vacation bible school, mentoring, tutoring)
Vessels of Mercy International is not affiliated with a particular denomination. We serve and partner with all denominational lines. We are a faith-based organization providing an opportunity for many denominations to serve together throughout the world.
Vessels of Mercy International has no employees, each staff member is either a volunteer or a full-time missionary (independent contractors) who raise their own support. As a non-profit faith-based organization, we depend on God and the support of individuals, businesses, corporations, and churches who want to see an end to poverty and human suffering in our lifetime.
GIVING QUESTIONS
Please mail to Vessels of Mercy International,12081 Gayton Road, Henrico, VA 23238
Yes. Vessels of Mercy International is a non-profit organization pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Yes, for contributions sent by mail, you will receive a paper receipt. Please feel free to contact the Donor Relations team with questions at info@vesselsofmercy.org.
Vessels of Mercy Intl. programs enable you to invest specifically in the region or outreach most meaningful to you. If you are making a one-time donation, we encourage you to give to the Greatest Need Fund, as Vessels of Mercy International deploys its resources in a manner that will be most effective to assist the needs of those suffering around the world. However, if you have a specific interest in the work of one of our projects, you can direct your gift to a specific region by including a note with your contribution, writing a note on the memo line of your check, or writing in the comments section on the Give Page.
Whether you would like to hold a concert, a car wash, or a similar fundraising endeavor, we have prepared a fundraising section filled with useful ideas and materials.
Vessels of Mercy International is funded by individuals, foundations, and churches.
An outside accounting firm conducts an annual audit of Vessels of Mercy International. In addition, an all-volunteer Board of Directors sets policies and procedures and monitors the budget and expenditures. Vessels of Mercy International is an accredited member of the Better Business Bureau for Charitable organizations – to further ensure that Vessels of Mercy International is a good steward of the resources entrusted to us. We are registered with the Virginia State Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs. You may also view recent financial documents on our Web site. Vessels of Mercy International, Inc. has also received the Gold Seal of Transparency with GuideStar.
The EIN, or federal taxpayer identification number, for Vessels of Mercy International, is 03-0404068.
You may easily obtain these documents by sending an e-mail to info@vesselsofmercy.org.
Yes, Vessels of Mercy Intl. participates in the Combined Federal Campaign. The CFC number for Vessels of Mercy International is #48926.
Please feel free to send your updated amount to info@vesselsofmercy.org. You will receive a confirmation via e-mail.
Please feel free to cancel by emailing info@vesselsofmercy.org. You will receive a confirmation via e-mail.
Please feel free to reach Vessels of Mercy International’s Donor Relations team at 804-740-4575 from 9:00 to 5:00 pm Eastern, Monday through Friday.
GIFT CATALOG QUESTIONS
Gift items are selected based on project goals submitted by our partners around the world. Many of the items in the catalog are part of ongoing programs, so gifts are distributed or services carried out on a continual basis throughout the year.
Gifts have been selected for the Gift Catalog based on the needs and goals of our field projects. We aren’t able to change the description of a gift or designate a more specific location.
If the total amount received for a particular item exceeds funding needs for that project, your gift will provide similar assistance to people in different communities or will be used to meet additional needs in that same project. For example, if more “sewing machines” are purchased than needed in the course of a year, additional funding will meet other needs of girls and women in other programs, including things such training, education, counseling services, etc.
Gift amounts include the actual cost of the program or item and administrative expenses associated with purchasing and/or delivering an item or carrying out the service. It reflects the total amount needed to make that specific activity happen, whether it’s shipping and distributing pharmaceuticals, hygiene kits, relief supplies or building a home for an orphan in Africa.
Gift amounts can vary from year to year due to differing costs in the countries that are requesting the items due to changing economies and the inflation of the dollar within those countries, etc.
Through the Gift Catalog Web site, we are unable to process gifts for amounts different than what is listed in the catalog. However, if you would like to make a donation towards a specific gift, you can do so by calling 1-804-740-4575.
If not enough shares are given to cover the full cost of an item through the Gift Catalog, shares will be pooled with other funding sources from Vessels of Mercy International to meet the goals of that project.
Yes, you will be mailed a receipt for your gift to Vessels of Mercy International. Your gifts are tax-deductible, excluding the amount for shipping and handling charges, if applicable.
Gift cards are sent by first class mail within 7-10 business days of receiving your order. You should receive your gift cards within 7 to 10 days of your order.
Due to the prohibitive costs and administration required to report on each individual gift, we cannot provide photos and stories on gifts.
You can order gift cards that will be sent directly to you by sending your order in the mail or by phone at 1-804-7404575. If you would like to have cards shipped directly to someone else, and/or if you would like your gift cards to be personalized, you can place your order on our Web site, www.vesselsofmercy.org.
Unfortunately, we can only ship to addresses within the United States. You can have the gift cards shipped to yourself and forward them in order to honor someone outside of the US.