FAQs

About TechnoServe Donation Questions Work With Us Get Help & Get In Touch

     

About TechnoServe

TechnoServe is a 501(c)3 nonprofit founded on the belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to build a better life.

 TechnoServe takes a business approach to fighting poverty by empowering smallholder farmers and entrepreneurs to gain the skills, connections, and confidence needed to improve their incomes, create self-sustaining businesses, and build brighter futures.

Founded in 1968, TechnoServe operates in nearly 30 countries, with over 90% of our staff from the country in which they work. Learn more About TechnoServe and our story.

TechnoServe provides business solutions to poverty through a combination of local, in-depth knowledge of the people we work with, world-class market analysis, rigorous measurement, on-the-ground engagement with people through training, technical assistance, and mentoring.  

Our work enables small-scale farmers and small business owners to build a better future for themselves, their families, and their communities – promoting local employment and economic growth for years to come. We invite you to learn more about Our Work at TechnoServe. 

TechnoServe’s clients are women and men fighting poverty through their own small-scale farms and businesses. They live in Africa, Latin America, South Asia, and Puerto Rico. Read client stories on the TechnoServe blog. 

TechnoServe programs provide best-in-class training and consulting services to help small-scale farmers and business people gain the skills, connections, and confidence to build a brighter future. TechnoServe programs are based in the following sectors:

Across different sectors, we are increasingly focusing on how TechnoServe programs can address areas that are critical to reducing poverty:

Through our TechnoServe Labs initiative, we apply technology to scale solutions and achieve a greater impact in the fight against poverty. During the COVID-19 pandemic, TechnoServe has partnered extensively with our clients to apply innovative solutions to help them keep their farms and businesses in operation.

Our job is to work ourselves out of a job. Operating on the belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to build a better life, TechnoServe helps people achieve the ability to improve their incomes through long-lasting skills and self-sustaining business opportunities. TechnoServe’s approach combines local, in-depth knowledge; world-class market analysis; rigorous measurement; and on-the-ground engagement. 

Many of our projects have shown continued benefits for our clients – years after TechnoServe’s work was complete. TechnoServe also maintains an extremely high commitment to transparency and continuous improvement. We rigorously measure the impact of all our projects – reporting only the impact that can be reasonably attributed to our work – and publicly share this information to help the broader effort to find the best ways to fight poverty worldwide.

Our passion for self-sustaining solutions, backed by the impact data to prove them, has earned TechnoServe the recognition of being ranked as the #1 nonprofit fighting poverty worldwide. Learn more About TechnoServe.

TechnoServe was founded in 1968 by Ed Bullard, a businessman whose work with small-scale farmers and entrepreneurs in Africa inspired him to found an organization that could help hardworking people in low-income countries to achieve their full potential. Find out more about TechnoServe’s History.

“TechnoServe” stands for “technology in the service of humankind.” Coined by our founder, Ed Bullard, the term references the basic meaning of technology as technical knowledge applied to practical purposes – just as TechnoServe helps people gain the knowledge and skills to create better livelihoods. Watch this video to learn more about our history. Ed’s vision was to enable people to apply knowledge in a way that would help them build a better future for themselves, their families, and, indeed, their whole community.  

Visit our “About Us” page to access  TechnoServe’s Mission and Vision statements.

TechnoServe is rated the #1 nonprofit at reducing poverty by ImpactMatters (now part of Charity Navigator).

We received an A grade from CharityWatch and a platinum ranking from GuideStar.

Please visit the following pages on our site:

    

Donation Questions

The easiest way to donate to TechnoServe is through our online donation form.

TechnoServe takes a distinctive approach to fighting poverty. We help smallholder farmers and entrepreneurs gain the skills, connections, and confidence needed to improve their incomes, create self-sustaining businesses, and build brighter futures.

ImpactMatters, an independent nonprofit ratings agency that rates charities based on impact and cost-effectiveness (now part of Charity Navigator), named TechnoServe the #1 nonprofit in the category of reducing poverty.  

For every $1 invested in our programs, an individual earns, on average, $3.41 more in income. That additional income means better housing, nutrition, healthcare, and education. It also means greater economic activity in communities: the ripple effects are substantial.

Check out the TechnoServe 2019 Annual Report to see the difference that generous donors like you make in fighting global poverty.

Yes- TechnoServe is a 501(c)3 nonprofit, so all donations are tax-deductible. 

  • What is TechnoServe’s Tax ID / Employer Identification Number (EIN)?

TechnoServe’s Employer Identification Number (EIN) and Tax ID # is 13-2626135.

How long will it take for me to receive a receipt for my donation?

  • Online Donations: You should receive an email receipt with payment confirmation within minutes of submitting the donation. If you have any questions, please email us at donorsupport@technoserve.org. 
  • Donations by Mail: For most gifts, donation receipts are mailed within 48 hours of receipt of a gift. So you should receive a receipt by mail within about a week from when TechnoServe processes the check. This may be slightly longer depending on where you live. 

Yes. Visit our donation page to make a donation in memory or honor of someone important to you. You can select the option to notify the recipient of your donation or their family via email.

When you make a donation to TechnoServe, your gift will be applied where it is needed most, unless otherwise indicated. To learn more about how TechnoServe applies donations, please visit the TechnoServe 2019 Annual Report. 

Yes. International donors can visit our donation page and use one of the online payment options. You can also contact donorsupport@technoserve.org or call (202) 650 5703 to make a wire transfer.

Yes. Recurring donations are extremely helpful for TechnoServe. We welcome all new members of our monthly giving program, Partners in Prosperity, with enthusiasm and gratitude. Learn more about how to become a TechnoServe Partner in Prosperity.

  •  Will my monthly donation be automatically deducted from my bank account or credit card?

Yes. You can set up a monthly donation to TechnoServe through any of our online payment options.

  • Whom do I contact at TechnoServe regarding the Partner in Prosperity program?

For questions about TechnoServe’s Partner in Prosperity program, email TechnoServe’s Manager of Annual Fund and Operations, Katie Corradini. 

Yes, monthly giving is very helpful to TechnoServe. Learn more about our monthly giving program and how to become a TechnoServe Partner in Prosperity.

If you’d like to send your donation as a check in the mail to support TechnoServe, please use the following mailing address:

Attn: Development Office
1777 N Kent Street, Suite 1100
Arlington, VA 22209

Call TechnoServe today at 1-800-99-WORKS (1-800-999-6757) to make a donation over the phone.

TechnoServe is recognized as a very efficient organization - $.84 of every dollar contributed supports programs. Here’s where you can learn more about Our Impact. You can find more details on our financials page. 

TechnoServe currently accepts the following online payment options:

  • Credit or Debit Card
  • PayPal
  • Apple Pay
  • Google Pay 

Can I donate to TechnoServe via wire transfer or ACH?

Yes. Please email Katie Corradini or call (202) 650 5703.

Donor generosity, vision, and commitment fuels work that transforms lives. Visit our Ways to Give page to learn more about each of these options:

TechnoServe participates in the Amazon Smile program. Select TechnoServe as your charity, and Amazon will donate 0.5% of all qualifying purchases toward our mission.

 Want to encourage your friends and family to support TechnoServe’s mission to reduce global poverty? If you have an existing Facebook account, learn how to create a Facebook Fundraiser for TechnoServe.

  • Support TechnoServe with a gift of stock

Visit our Ways to Give page to learn more about how to support TechnoServe with a gift of stock. 

  • I would like to include TechnoServe in my planned giving through my will or estate plan.  Who should I contact to learn about Legacy Gifts to TechnoServe?

Many people leave a gift to charity in their estate plans to ensure continued support for the causes they’re most passionate about in life. Learn more about the Ed Bullard Society and planned giving options for TechnoServe. 

  • Can I make a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) from a retirement account or IRA?

Yes, you can support TechnoServe through your retirement planning and IRA Distribution. Learn more by visiting our Ways to Give page. Starting at 70.5 years of age, your IRA’s required distribution can also be paid directly to TechnoServe, which can serve as a non-taxable withdrawal for you. IRA distributions can be sent via DTC #8862.

  • Can I support TechnoServe through my Donor-Advised Fund (DAF)?

Yes. If you already have a DAF through an organization that participates in DAF Direct, learn how to support TechnoServe through your Donor Advised Fund.  Our taxpayer ID is 13-2626135.

  • Can I support TechnoServe through my employer’s matching gift program?

Your company might have a matching donation program. Ask your employer about matching your donation to TechnoServe. Learn more about how to support TechnoServe through Workplace Giving. 

  • Can I donate airline miles?

To donate airline miles, please contact your airline.

  • Do you receive funds from the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC)?

No, we do not. Find more information in the TechnoServe 2019 Annual Report.

TechnoServe does not accept in-kind donations at this time. TechnoServe’s mission is powered by the philosophy that “teaching a person to fish” is a sustainable approach to reducing global poverty, so Our Work focuses on empowering people to increase their income through training, coaching, and connections to new market opportunities.

You can email us at online@technoserve.org to share fundraising ideas.

      

Work With Us

How can my organization create a corporate or public sector partnership with TechnoServe?

Learn about how your organization can become one of our TechnoServe Strategic Partners.

Who are TechnoServe’s current partners?

Explore our website to view a list of our current and past TechnoServe Strategic Partners. We welcome dynamic discussions with prospective partners about the impact our teams can accomplish together in the fight to end global poverty. Contact us today.

Where can I find information about TechnoServe Career & Training Opportunities?

Visit the TechnoServe Careers page of our website to find the following information:

  • Career and job opportunities currently available at TechnoServe
  • How to apply for a job with TechnoServe
  • Available internship opportunities
  • International career opportunities

Once I apply for a position, what should I expect?

After you submit your application to TechnoServe, job seekers should expect to be contacted by our recruitment team if they are selected for an interview opportunity.

Where are most of the jobs located?

The majority of TechnoServe employees work internationally, where our programs are located, with a small number of employees based in the U.S. at our headquarters in Arlington, VA. You can find all current job opportunities posted on our TechnoServe Careers page.

What is TechnoServe’s Fellows Program, and how can I apply to join?

We encourage you to learn more about our volunteer opportunities through the TechnoServe Fellows Program. On the same page, you can view the application requirements, learn about the history of TechnoServe’s Fellows program, and find out how to submit your application.

How do I find out about joining a TechnoServe program in my home country?

You can find local country contact information by visiting the Where We Work page of our website and selecting the country in which you would like to find local program information.

   

Get Help & Get in Touch

There are several ways to stay up-to-date and connected with TechnoServe. Here are just a few:

Visit TechnoServe’s Contact Us page to access the following information:

  • TechnoServe’s location
  • Directions to TechnoServe’s offices
  • TechnoServe’s mailing address
  • TechnoServe’s phone number

Get technical support by emailing online@technoserve.org.

 At the bottom of each email, you can find a link with the options to change your email subscription settings or unsubscribe. Click the link to modify your email notification preferences. You can also email your request to online@technoserve.org.

To update your email address in our system, visit our email update page.

To update your email address in our system, visit our email update page.

To update your contact information, please contact us at donorsupport@technoserve.org.

To change your credit card information, please email us at donorsupport@technoserve.org or call 1-800-99-WORKS (1-800-999-6757).

For our monthly donors, tax acknowledgments are mailed out by January 31st the following year with a summary of their total giving for the prior year.

If you’d like to change or cancel your contact information for the print mailing list, please email donorsupport@technoserve.org.

  • If you’d like to check the status of your donation, request a donation receipt, change or cancel a recurring donation, or remove your name from the print mailing list, the best point of contact is to email donorsupport@technoserve.org or call 1-800-999-6757. Your support fuels our mission. Thanks for sharing.

Please contact us if you still have a question or would like to suggest additions to this page.