United Way in Vietnam is a partnership between AmCham Vietnam in HCM City (AmCham) and United Way, with the objective to establish an independent United Way in Vietnam that will strengthen the community, as United Way has done in communities around the world.
Video collage of volunteers and community partners of United Way Vietnam.
Donate to United Way Vietnam
United Way is an integral part of each community in which we serve. We are able to make great strides in reaching our global mission because of our local presence. As the need increases in communities around the world, so does the demand for United Way’s support. United Way continues to grow and develop local capacity in nearly 50 countries and territories around the world. Your support is critical in helping to build the foundation of newly emerging United Ways. Make a gift today and help strengthen a specific community where United Way is at work.
The donor can recommend that the donation be used for charitable purposes in a particular a) country, b) region, c) field of charitable interest, or d) for the support of a particular project or charitable organization. The project is investigated at a local level to determine if it is consistent with AmCham-United Way Vietnam’s charitable purposes and priorities and whether, under the circumstances, sufficient control can be applied to ensure that the grantee uses the funds properly.
Individuals with a connection to Vietnam or companies interested in supporting United Way efforts in Vietnam can give to United Way International, designate the gift for AmCham-United Way Vietnam, and receive the U.S. tax deduction.
AmCham-United Way Vietnam is currently managing Donor Advised Giving Projects for Corporate Partners including Citigroup, Cargill, Mast Industries, LG Asia Development Fund. International Donor Advised Giving Program Brochure.
Mission
Help AmCham member firms and staff involvement in raising and allocating resources, effectively and efficiently, to support building strong communities in Vietnam. The Committee will focus on education, health and safety, and disaster relief. With guidance from United Way International and counterparts in the Asia-Pacific region, implement resource development and allocation techniques that have been pioneered and proven to work in United Way’s 100-year history and in over 47 countries.
Based on Global Standards for United Way Organizations, develop a United Way in Vietnam that is transparent and accountable. Raise and distribute donated resources and monitor impact and outcomes of community based programs.
Building communities, with involvement of diverse groups, through voluntary giving and action
Our Role
AmCham-United Way is taking a leadership role in developing a culture of giving in Vietnam by providing an easy, credible and rewarding way for individuals and corporations to give back to the community.
AmCham-United Way is not a direct service provider; this is the role of other charity organizations; however, AmCham-United Way plays a unique role in the community as both a fundraiser and a funder.
Its primary goal is to generate new and/or additional sources of funds, volunteers, and in-kind donations for local human care organizations who may not know how to access these resources.
By developing a strong connection between the business sector and the community, AmCham-United Way delivers philanthropic solutions to community-minded Corporate Partners which add value to their organizations and their staff.
Fund Allocation Process
AmCham-United Way has a rigorous allocation process that all potential grantees must adhere to. Staff and volunteers of seek out organizations and projects that may benefit through the Grant Program. A straightforward application is available with supporting material.
Our Community Priorities
In order to be considered, projects:
must address one of the 3 priority community needs, which are:
Supporting Education
Promoting Health and Wellness
Responding to Disasters
should be geographically located in or near Ho Chi Minh City, or near the business operations area of an AmCham – Vietnam member / volunteer.
Site Visit
Once an application has met these requirements, a site visit is arranged by the AmCham-United Way Allocation Team. This team is made up of Vietnamese volunteers, who worked together with AmCham-United Way staff to determine how the funds will be allocated.
Site visit at Binh Loi Social Organization Site visit to Binh Chanh District, HCMC
Funding Criteria
In making funding recommendations, the Allocation Team considers the following eight elements:
Need for the Program in Vietnam
Administrative and Fiscal Management
Goals & Objectives
Quality of the Program
Program/Project Budget
Effectiveness of Program
Volunteer Involvement
And, the overall impression of the organization and the program requesting funds.
Click here to download Grant Application and Fund Distribution Policy in English and in Vietnamese.
Small Vietnamese NGO charitable organizations
Funds raised are donated to small and medium Vietnamese NGOs that are managing small but essential projects that are focused on local education, health and wellness. The objective is to build capacity and strengthen local community organizations.
Representative projects have included:
$5,817 to build and equip a first aid room for the May 15 School;
$4,833 to support marketing development and new sales channels for a “Vietnam Plus Quilt Workshop” that provides employment opportunities for women in Phan Thiet, Binh Thuan Province;
$2,763 purchasing equipment for a Charity Acupuncture Clinic in HCMC;
New Clinic New equipment
$1,558 for the Ho Chi Minh city Welfare foundation to provide street children with education and awareness about HIV/AIDS and the services offered by the HCMC Child Welfare Foundation.
In 2005, Vietnamese NGO projects selected for support include: $2,575 to provide health and education support for disadvantaged girls at the June 1st School; $4,900 for the Living Values Education Program in support of MOLISA activities for drug rehabilitation; $5,824 for the Binh Loi Social Organization to upgrade and repair the organization building; and $1,000 to support the Women’s Charity Association of HCMC in building bathrooms for rural areas.
A key element of the support to small Vietnamese NGO charitable organizations is that this involves Vietnamese on both the giving and receiving sides of the community building. Many of these projects are “too small” for larger U.S. foundations and companies, but they are essential building blocks for strengthening the community. They provide opportunities for AmCham member company Vietnamese staff and the AmCham Scholars (themselves recipients of AmCham community support) to become involved on the giving side.
Individuals with a connection to Vietnam or companies interested in supporting United Way efforts in Vietnam can give to United Way International, designate the gift for AmCham-United Way Vietnam, and receive the U.S. tax deduction.
The donor can recommend that UWI use the donation for charitable purposes in a particular a) country, b) region, c) field of charitable interest, or d) for the support of a particular project or charitable organization. The project is investigated at a local level to determine if it is consistent with AmCham-United Way’s charitable purposes and priorities and whether, under the circumstances, sufficient control can be applied to ensure that the grantee uses the funds properly.
AmCham-United Way Vietnam is currently managing Donor Advised Giving Projects for Corporate Partners including Citigroup, Cargill, Mast Industries, LG Asia Development Fund.
Highlights of grants to build schools in rural areas, including:
$ 15,000 to build 4 classrooms for Yjut Elementary School, Education Department of EaH’Leo District, Daklak Province.
$ 30,000 to build 10 classrooms for My Hanh Bac Elementary School, Education Department of Duc Hoa District, Long An Province
$ 15,000 to build 5 classrooms for Tan Dan A School, Education Department of Khoai Chau District, Hung Yen Province.
$ 30,000 to build 10 classrooms for Dinh Tien Hoang Elementary School, Education Department of Xuan Loc District, Dong Nai Province,
Citigroup
Highlights of grants in Vietnam using United Way International Donor Advised Giving Program:
Annual 40 Citigroup scholarships to top business students in Vietnam – National Economics University, Foreign Trade University (Hanoi); HCMC Economics University, Foreign Trade University Ho Chi Minh City since 2003, totally $12,000.
$ 30,000 for Job Service and Vocational Training Center of Vietnam Youth Federation was funded to equip and organize four mid-term courses on civil and industrial sewing; mechanic welding; haircutting/hairdressing; cookery for 50 street children in Hanoi
$ 14,000 to upgrade and equip chemistry labs for two high schools for gifted students in Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City.
$ 20,000 to establish and operate a Computer Training Centers for Youth in Tien Giang Province run by the Job Service and Vocational Training Center under Vietnam Youth Federation in Tien Giang Province.
United Way in Vietnam is a partnership between AmCham Vietnam in HCM City (AmCham) and United Way, with the objective to establish an independent United Way in Vietnam that will strengthen the community, as United Way has done in communities around the world.
