Frequently Asked Questions

About World Connect
World Connect, formerly Infante Sano, is a non-profit organization that empowers local leaders in underserved areas worldwide to solve local problems by improving the health and wellbeing of women, children and communities. Since 2005, World Connect has contributed millions of dollars through over 300 grants and in-kind gifts, supporting more than 250 communities in eleven countries. World Connect has two giving channels: World Connect Grants, which supports changemakers in maternal and child health projects, and Kids to Kids, which funds innovative youth arts, sports, education and environmental projects.

Founded
2005 in Massachusetts and the Dominican Republic

Headquarters
 Waltham, MA, with a satellite office in Anacortes, WA

Website
 www.worldconnect-us.org

Mission
 World Connect’s mission is to improve the health and wellbeing of women and children in underserved and under-resourced communities worldwide.

Core Values
 Respect, Improve, Sustain, Empower (RISE), the core values of World Connect, build upon local talent and experience, promote sustainability and recognize every person’s basic right to lead a healthy and productive life.

History
 World Connect was founded in 2005 to improve the health and wellbeing of women and children in underserved and under-resourced communities worldwide. From 2006-2009, under the name Infante Sano, the organization primarily focused on Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) programs in the Dominican Republic. These programs, which garnered international recognition, included training and equipping hospitals and operating two maternal and infant rural health clinics. World Connect expanded the scope and scale of its activities in 2010 with the incorporation of a youth development program, Kids to Kids, and the development of a new Maternal and Child Health grant-making program, World Connect Grants (WCG).

Impact
 Since 2005, World Connect has contributed millions of dollars through over 300 grants and in-kind gifts, supporting more than 250 communities in eleven countries: Belize, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Haiti, Mali, Morocco, Peru, Rwanda and the Philippines. Through maternal and child health programs, World Connect has trained hundreds of healthcare professionals, donated over a million dollars in essential medical equipment, and improved the health and wellbeing of over 35,000 women and children. Through its youth development program, Kids to Kids, World Connect has created opportunities for almost 30,000 youth in four countries.

How Does World Connect Work?
 World Connect works directly with Community Organizations who identify solutions to challenges affecting the health and wellbeing of women and children in their communities. These Community Leaders submit grant applications, sponsored by Peace Corps Volunteers, to turn their good ideas into reality. World Connect reviews, approves and funds projects several times a year; providing microgrants of up to $500 for Kids to Kids projects and grant awards up to $2,500 for World Connect Grants projects. World Connect then stays in close contact with projects receiving grant awards to continually monitor their progress and success. These stories and photos are regularly posted on World Connect’s interactive website to both update supporters and share successful strategies with other grant seekers.

What Types of Projects Does World Connect Support?
 All World Connect projects must improve the health and wellbeing of women, children and communities. Projects supported through the World Connect Grants program focus on Health Education, Nutrition, Reproductive Health, Health Services and HIV/AIDS Prevention. Projects supported through the Kids to Kids program create opportunities for youth through arts, sports, education or environmental projects. Projects range from art classes and traditional dance workshops (Arts), to soccer teams and volleyball clinics (Sports), to libraries and summer camps (Education), to reforestation and gardening (Environment).

Who Can Apply for Grant Awards from World Connect?
 The recipients of support from World Connect through either the World Connect Grants program or the Kids to Kids program are community leaders who are affiliated with a community-based organization, non-profit organization, healthcare facility or educational institution and have the support from a volunteer currently serving with the Peace Corps.

What is the Timeline for World Connect’s Current Grant Cycle?
 World Connect is currently accepting applications for both World Connect Grants and Kids to Kids projects. The next deadline for World Connect Grants applications is September 27, 2010. The next deadline for Kids to Kids is December 1, 2010. 

How Does World Connect Measure the Impact of its Projects?
 World Connect supports projects that meet well-defined criteria. All projects receiving support through the World Connect Grants program must comply with continuous monitoring and complete mid-year and year-end project reports. All projects receiving support through the Kids to Kids program must comply with continuous monitoring and complete follow-up surveys at the end of the project. Specifically, World Connect measures success by the number of women, children, and communities it is able to reach through projects and by the unique impacts created by each project.

How Can I Get Involved with World Connect?
 World Connect is always looking for dedicated people who want to share their time, talent and treasure with us. The projects that world connect supports worldwide are made possible through contributions from generous individuals and organizations. World Connect accepts financial support in the form of cash, checks, and stock transfers. World Connect is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization and all gifts are tax-deductible to the extent of the law.

World Connect is currently expanding our Corporate Sponsorship Programs with opportunities for matching grants, leadership sponsorship and in-kind donations. Inquire about current opportunities and volunteer openings at info(at)worldconnect-us.org.

Why Should I Support World Connect?
 World Connect focuses its efforts on being an efficient, entrepreneurial organization that appropriately leverages resources. We empower local women and leaders to take their health and the health of their families into their own hands – finding local solutions.

We identify promising ideas in communities that in many instances would not have access to funding and support them to turn their good ideas into reality. Over 85% of our total operating goes directly to supporting projects that improve the health and well-being of women and children in underserved communities worldwide.

How Can I Find More Information about World Connect and its Programs?
 You can find more information about World Connect and its giving channels: World Connect Grants and Kids to Kids by visiting www.worldconnect-us.org. Please send an email to info(at)worldconnect-us.org if you have any questions.

CRM Donations from Salesforce.com
CRM Solutions for Nonprofits