PWRDF Frequently Asked Questions (and Answers)
- What is PWRDF?
- Can you describe PWRDF in one sentence?
- How did PWRDF come to exist?
- What are the guiding principles of the organization?
- Is PWRDF a Registered Charity?
- Is PWRDF still a part of the Anglican Church of Canada?
- Does PWRDF only support Anglicans?
- What are the basic components of the PWRDF program?
- How does PWRDF respond to emergencies?
- What does PWRDF mean by Development?
- Does PWRDF support Development In Canada?
- How are development projects chosen?
- How can I get PWRDF to fund a project that I know about?
- Does PWRDF have staff in the field?
- How does PWRDF know that the money gets through?
- Can funds be designated for a particular project?
- Where does PWRDF funding come from?
- Does CIDA provide matching grants?
- How much is spent in administration?
- How are donations receipted?
- Can I forward funds through PWRDF to a project that is not a PWRDF partner and get a tax receipt?
- Does PWRDF fund individuals?
- Does PWRDF accept material donations?
- Does PWRDF send international volunteers?
- Why doesn't PWRDF participate in child sponsorship programs?
- Does PWRDF have a gender policy?
- Why is the PWRDF involved with issues of social and global justice?
- How does PWRDF engage in justice work?
- How can I get involved with PWRDF?
- What is unique about PWRDF?
- Does PWRDF solicit funds by phone?
- Is ARDF the same as PWRDF?
- How can I submit a question?
What is PWRDF?
PWRDF stands for the Primate's World Relief and Development Fund, also known as The Primate's Fund.
Can you describe PWRDF in one sentence?
The Primate's World Relief and Development Fund is the Canadian Anglican agency for development, relief, refugees and justice.
How did PWRDF come to exist?
PWRDF was created by the General Synod (the national assembly of the Anglican Church of Canada) after 167 coal miners died in the 1958 Springhill Nova Scotia mining disaster and Anglicans realized they needed an efficient way to respond quickly to emergencies. Originally a relief agency exclusively, The Primate's Fund soon began to address long-term development needs. With experience in development and a growing understanding of partnership, The Fund recognized the need to engage Canadians in the issues of tackling injustice and included public engagement as a core part of the program.
What are the guiding principles of the organization?
At the heart of the ministry of PWRDF is a Christian vision of the restoration of community and partnerships focused on promoting peace and justice. PWRDF makes financial and human resources available to strengthen these partnerships, to support partner's relief, development and refugee programs and to promote knowledgeable actions of solidarity.
Is PWRDF a Registered Charity?
Yes, PWRDF is registered as a federal charity and our charitable number is: 8664 34640 RR0001.
Is PWRDF still a part of the Anglican Church of Canada?
PWRDF was incorporated as a federal charitable organization in May 2000. Incorporation provides PWRDF with the certainty that we can make long term program plans with our partners in Canada and overseas, with the support of Anglicans from across Canada and the assistance of the Canadian International Development Agency. PWRDF remains an essential part of the ministry of the Anglican church. We share office space with the General Synod, participate as observers on major church governing bodies and our own Board of Directors is made up of members of the Anglican laity, clergy and bishops from across the country. Locally, PWRDF strives to be a part of the ministry of every Anglican parish in Canada.
Does PWRDF only support Anglicans?
PWRDF's mandate is to make a difference in the lives of people. Partners vary from region to region. Partners include Anglicans, Lutherans, Presbyterians, other Christian denominations, other faiths and peoples organizations. In establishing our partnership relationships we look for faith based and secular organizations who are best placed to make a difference in local situations. In Africa, for example, where the church is a strong, community-based agent for change, more than 60% of our partners are Anglicans.
What are the basic components of the PWRDF program?
PWRDF funds programs of Emergency Relief, Community Development, Human Rights, Peace-building, and Public Engagement. Within these programs PWRDF has special emphasis on Women, HIV/AIDS, Youth, Refugees and Indigenous Peoples.
How does PWRDF respond to emergencies?
PWRDF partners provide emergency relief by way of emergency shelters, blankets, clothes, food, water, medicines and healthcare, seeds and agricultural tools -- all meeting basic needs in times of crisis. PWRDF responds to emergencies through an international ecumenical response alliance called Action By Churches Together (ACT). This rapid response protocol allows for the quick identification of local implementing partners and the rapid release of pre-approved emergency funds. Often by the time a situation is reported in the media the ACT response mechanism has already begun working on the ground. And more often, the program continues to run and work on situations that are never reported in the international media. See more: Questions About Emergency Response.
What does PWRDF mean by Development?
Development is the process of creating a better quality of life for all members of society. It involves release from social, economic and political oppression and it supports communities in their efforts to identify solutions to their own needs and priorities. Development is the opposite of dependency and means a commitment to principles of participation, empowerment and social justice. It means being able to take responsibility for your own destiny.
Does PWRDF support Development In Canada?
Yes. The INdigenous Development Program exists to strengthen Indigenous communities in Canada through initiatives designed to build stronger, healthier and more self-reliant communities.
How are development projects chosen?
PWRDF seeks to support development work that addresses root causes of poverty and injustice, that is initiated and implemented by the people most affected by the situation, that is viable and that has results that are sustainable. PWRDF responds to the needs articulated by our partners within the context of our overall strategic plan. Partners and potential partners submit project proposals to our regional staff Development Coordinators. The Board of Directors overseas the budget and the work of the Fund across and within regions based on three strategic themes: Weaving a Culture of Peace with Justice; Building a Moral Economy; and Accompanying Communities in Crisis.
How can I get PWRDF to fund a project that I know about?
PWRDF believes that the people most affected by a specific situation are the ones best able to identify what they need for their own development. Therefore, PWRDF responds only to initiatives that are designed and implemented by our partners.
Does PWRDF have staff in the field?
PWRDF is not operational in the field. All our staff are based in Canada, and they travel to visit partners from time to time.
How does PWRDF know that the money gets through?
Financial reports from partner organizations, which account for how funds were allocated, are carefully reviewed by staff. Sometimes, in the case of larger programs, the accounts have been independently audited. PWRDF staff also visit our partners on a regular basis and have an opportunity to visit the field, discuss plans and see the results of programs.
Can funds be designated for a particular project?
Within our existing partnership relationships, any designated funds that we receive over and above our ongoing program grants are applied to the area that is designated. However, PWRDF prefers to receive undesignated donations for our program as a means to preserve our capacity to maintain ongoing and long-term commitments to partners and to respond to priorities.
Where does PWRDF funding come from?
PWRDF is the ministry of Canadian Anglicans. From a few thousand dollars in 1959, the Primate's Fund has grown to work with an operating budget of about 5 million dollars. Eighty percent of the Fund's budget comes from donations from Anglicans across the country. Funds are channeled through parishes and dioceses or sent directly to the Primate's Fund office. Additionally, just over one million dollars comes from CIDA, the development agency of the Federal Government.
Does CIDA provide matching grants?
Up until the late 1980's PWRDF applied to CIDA on a project-by-project basis and we received matching funds on this basis. In the early 1990's, CIDA acknowledged PWRDF's managerial and administrative competence and allowed PWRDF to move to program and institutional funding. Currently we apply for an annual program grant that PWRDF then allocates within our own program, as we deem appropriate. We may not apply CIDA dollars in a ratio that is greater than three to one to our 'donor' dollar, so the stability in our donor base remains essential to the security of our government funding.
How much is spent in administration?
A large portion of the promotion and administration of the fund is done by volunteers across the country. This invaluable volunteer support accounts for our low administrative overhead. Administrative costs average at about 7% of our overall budget. These costs include expenses that relate to costs of administrating the whole organization -- legal, audit, governance, etc. Core costs, including salaries; travel and office expenses are allocated to administration as well as program. The Annual Report is the best source of this information and more information is available from PWRDF upon request.
How are donations receipted?
One of the ways that PWRDF keeps our overhead costs low is that local volunteers support much of our work. When you give to PWRDF through your parish, the parish traditionally issues the receipt. Receipts for direct donations are issued from the national office.
Can I forward funds through PWRDF to a project that is not a PWRDF partner and get a tax receipt?
No. Federal law prohibits us to issue tax receipts for funds distributed outside the boundaries of our existing funding agreements.
Does PWRDF fund individuals?
No. PWRDF cannot accept funds for individual scholarship or sponsorship programs.
Does PWRDF accept material donations?
Material donations are too expensive to ship, including customs duties and local transportation, and complicated to distribute fairly upon arrival. Often these costs can exceed the values of the goods themselves. We want to affirm the initiative to undertake activities in Canada in solidarity with people around the world. Our recommendation is that communities sell materials collected and forward the money to PWRDF.
Does PWRDF send international volunteers?
PWRDF is not a volunteer-sending organization and we do not have the necessary infrastructure to support volunteer placements. Few of our partner organizations can spare the resources to give Canadian volunteers the cross-cultural communication training, housing and transportation they would need to function effectively. The Anglican Church of Canada Volunteers in Mission program does provide opportunities for volunteer placements.
Why doesn't PWRDF participate in child sponsorship programs?
Sponsorship programs are appealing to donors in that they create what is perceived as a direct connection to their giving. PWRDF, like many other development organizations, has chosen not to approach our donors in this way for three main reasons.
First our partners and our own experience have both convinced us it is better in the long run to help build up communities as a whole, rather than singling out individuals for financial support. Our approach also helps individuals build their leadership skills, but it does so within the context of developing the whole community. Child-focus programs are designed with the donor in mind, not necessarily the development partner's community.
Second, child sponsorship programs are expensive with high administrative and promotional costs that are usually not spelled out clearly in the highly emotional marketing material.
Third, the ads for many child sponsorship programs portray people as dependent, helpless victims. This approach is something we and our partners do not support. Our partners are not passive or pitiful in any way, but indeed the opposite is true, that they are able, active, resourceful people responding to difficult situations. They have become our friends and teachers in the course of our partnership walk and that's how we - and they - want others to see them.
Does PWRDF have a gender policy?
Yes. PWRDF approved a policy on Gender and Development in 1994 recognizing the need for the equal participation of both women and men to achieve development. The policy seeks to promote a transformation of gender roles and proactively support women's efforts to redress imbalance and sensitize men to be agents of equitable community development.
Why is the PWRDF involved with issues of social and global justice?
PWRDF was originally created in response to disaster. Early in our history, Development work was added to our mandate based on the realization that root causes of poverty need to be addressed if real change is sought. A development approach seeks to reinforce the capacity of people to respond to their own situations. The search to address causes takes us beyond the local level to address the economic and political area at the policy level.
How does PWRDF engage in justice work?
On matters of social justice, PWRDF acts, almost exclusively, ecumenically - with other Christian churches. Through the organization KAIROS, PWRDF joins in coalition with other churches in Canada in one of the largest justice networks in the country. Through active local groups, expert staff and national committees KAIROS deliberates on issues of common concern, educates and advocates for social change and joins with people of faith and goodwill in action for social transformation.
How can I get involved with PWRDF?
Read our stories and learn about the work of PWRDF and issues of international development, relief and justice.
Act - with us in support of what you learn, become involved in faith-based social justice work. Find a local KAIROS group in your area.
Give to PWRDF - we can only do our work with financial support. If you are giving already consider giving more, as you are able.
Pray - for situations where we work for change, for staff and for partners. With your full and prayerful support together we can make difference.
What is unique about PWRDF?
PWRDF is an Anglican response for international relief, development and justice. Our Anglican identity is reflected in our governance structure and embedded in our history. The integrity of the Primate's Fund is reflected in our relationships with partners, who are represented on our Board of Directors. These relationships are cultivated by our experienced staff and enhanced by the engagement of Canadian Anglicans.javascript:linkTo_UnCryptMailto('nbjmup;xfcufoefsAqxseg/psh');
Does PWRDF solicit funds by phone?
Regular donors to PWRDF say they have been contacted by an organization requesting funds on our behalf. PWRDF does not solicit funds by telephone or use a telemarketing company to do so. The PWRDF direct donor list is held in strict confidence and access is restricted to appropriate staff only.
Is ARDF the same as PWRDF?
The Anglican Relief and Development Fund was created in 2004 by Anglican Communion Network, based in Pittsburgh, PA. PWRDF was created by The Anglican Church of Canada in 1959 as a response to national, and eventually international, relief and development needs. The two are quite separate organizations.
Submit a Question
Send in a question pwrdf[at]pwrdf.org
