The following provides brief answers to some of the most commonly asked questions regarding the Foundation of Goodness. If you would like more information please contact us and we will be happy to answer your query in greater detail.

1. What kind of organization is the Foundation of Goodness?

The Foundation of Goodness is a registered Sri Lankan non-governmental organization (NGO) that has been active in the rural community of Seenigama and surrounding villages since 1999. Our work includes housing, infrastructure, livelihoods, medical care, welfare, children, education, skills development, sports, cultural preservation and a range of other services. The Foundation obtained its official registration as a NGO on 24th November 2005 from the Ministry of Social Welfare in Sri Lanka. To view the organisational structure, please see our Management Chart.

2. How best can I help?

Any type of assistance that you can offer will greatly assist our work, however a monetary donation is generally most helpful - to donate directly to the Foundation, please click here. To sponsor a university student, please click here. If you would like to volunteer with us, please click here. Or you could visit our Other Ways to Help page for some inspirational stories. Whatever your contribution, we thank you for assisting those in need.

3. How can I be certain the money I donate goes to those who need it?

We take our mission very seriously and always act with the utmost integrity for those in need. We provide detail receipts for all monetary donations and offer you a feedback of how your funds were utilized. 

4. If I come to volunteer, what will I do and where will I stay?

We are looking for committed and proactive team members who can preferably work with us on a full-time basis for at least one month. To view a description of possible duties and tasks of a volunteer please click here. Volunteers can work in the Foundations' head office in Colombo and also in the village of Seenigama. Once arrival is confirmed, we will assist you in organising accommodation, however please note that since we are a charity volunteers will be responsible for their own expenses (including accommodation, meals and transportation).

5. Will my donation be tax-deductible?

Unfortunately, we cannot promise you a tax-deduction, since that is dependant on the country the donor resides in and its respective tax codes. However, we do provide a receipt that details the donation and we are a NGO.

6. What other organizations are working with the Foundation?

Foundation has worked with an assortment of governmental and non-governmental organizations as well as corporate and individual donors. Some of these include AusAID, AVIVA, Bryan Adams, Children Action, DANIDA, Geneva Global, KPMG, Lions Clubs, Mercy Corps, MCC, Rotary Clubs, USAID and the Victorian and Western Australian State Governments, among others. (Please see the Major Donors section on our home page and our Corporate/Individual Donors page.)

7. What are the immediate needs in the villages?

Since 1999, the Foundation has been addressing the needs of Seenigama and over 25 surrounding villages. Our aim is to overcome the damage caused by the tsunami and develop a rural community model – for more information visit our profile. Priorities include providing education and training, infrastructure development, and meeting the medical and educational needs of the children. 

8. What kind of long-term planning is underway to sustain the redevelopment of the region?

Addressing the immediate needs of the village enabled us to lay the groundwork for longer-term projects. In addition to creating new jobs, schools and a healthier, cleaner environment, our future objectives include completing the Centre of Excellence, which will focus on the education and sports development of our village youth as well as a Sports Complex.

9. How many village communities does the Foundation assist?

As our capacity grows, we are extending our work into neighbouring villages and beyond. We are currently addressing the needs of villagers in over 25 villages. Unlike many development organisations that focus solely on specific areas (such as housing or livelihoods), the Foundation's work is holistic and caters to every possible need, continually expanding the nature and geography of its focus as it recognises additional needs. For example, a project that the Foundation is seriously looking into at present is the creation of an exchange program and relationship-building project between conflict-affected villages in the North East and villages in the Seenigama region.

10. Does the Foundation incur any administration costs and who covers these expenses?

Prior to the tsunami, all administration costs were personally borne by our Founder, Kushil Gunasekera. For six years, 100% of donors funds went directly to the specific projects and Kushil continued to cover all administration costs himself. However, after the devastation caused by the waves and in the process of remodeling the village, it became necessary to increase the number of staff at the village coordinating secretariat on a full-time basis and as such, a small sum of 5% is now incurred for administrative expenses.