Compare ways to give internationally
The chart below summarizes your options to support international charitable causes.
Available to:
U.S.-Based Charities that Work Overseas
All Giving Accounts
U.S.-Based Intermediary Organizations
All Giving Accounts
Fidelity Charitable Direct International Grant (DIG) Program
Private Donor Group Giving Accounts1
Organization examples:
U.S.-Based Charities that Work Overseas
Oxfam America, U.S. Fund for UNICEF, Doctors Without Borders
U.S.-Based Intermediary Organizations
Fidelity Charitable Direct International Grant (DIG) Program
International charities, recommended by a donor and vetted by the Fidelity Charitable due diligence process2
What are these organizations, and what do they do?
U.S.-Based Charities that Work Overseas
501(c)(3) organizations in the United States that support work outside of the United States
U.S.-Based Intermediary Organizations
501(c)(3) organizations in the United States that facilitate making and monitoring grants to foreign organizations
Fidelity Charitable Direct International Grant (DIG) Program
A Fidelity Charitable program where a donor recommends a grant to a charitable organization outside the United States
Estimated turnaround time
U.S.-Based Charities that Work Overseas
2–10 business days
U.S.-Based Intermediary Organizations
3-4 weeks for organizations recently vetted by the intermediary
12 weeks or longer for organizations that need to be re-vetted or that are new to the intermediary
Fidelity Charitable Direct International Grant (DIG) Program
3-4 weeks for organizations recently vetted by Fidelity Charitable
8 weeks or longer for organizations that need to be re-vetted or that are new to Fidelity Charitable3
Grant minimum
U.S.-Based Charities that Work Overseas
$50
U.S.-Based Intermediary Organizations
Intermediary dependent, typically $50+
Fidelity Charitable Direct International Grant (DIG) Program
$10,000
From a fee perspective, this program generally makes sense for donors recommending a grant of $25,000 or more
Fees4
U.S.-Based Charities that Work Overseas
No additional fees
U.S.-Based Intermediary Organizations
Fees vary by intermediary
Base fees are generally a percentage of the grant
May require additional service fees
Fidelity Charitable Direct International Grant (DIG) Program
Contact a Fidelity Charitable Private Donor Group Philanthropic Strategist to discuss
Grant process
U.S.-Based Charities that Work Overseas
Recommend a standard Fidelity Charitable grant to the U.S.-based organization
U.S.-Based Intermediary Organizations
Donor finds the organization they wish to partner with on the intermediary website or may also contact intermediary with any specific questions
Recommend a Fidelity Charitable grant to the intermediary organization and specify the foreign organization as a custom designation
Fidelity Charitable Direct International Grant (DIG) Program
Contact a Fidelity Charitable Private Donor Group Philanthropic Strategist to discuss process and grant recommendation details
Requires some donor involvement
Considerations
U.S.-Based Charities that Work Overseas
Easiest option for supporting international charitable causes
A limited number of charities have U.S.-based branches or supporting organizations
U.S.-Based Intermediary Organizations
Easiest option for supporting foreign organizations that have already partnered with an intermediary organization
The charity must have staff available to work with intermediary through the due diligence process and to provide annual reporting throughout the life of the grant
Fidelity Charitable Direct International Grant (DIG) Program
The charity must have English-speaking staff available to work with Fidelity Charitable through the due diligence process and to provide annual reporting throughout the life of the grant, as applicable
Each grant is reviewed individually
Fidelity Charitable may not be able to make the grant, depending upon the paperwork provided by the foreign organization
1Excludes Giving Accounts that have been funded by contributions from a corporation.
2Grant recommendations must come from Fidelity Charitable Account Holders and can be made only to organizations outside of the United States that are the equivalent of a U.S. 501(c)(3) public charity.
3Grant turnaround time is estimated; actual turnaround time can vary based on a variety of factors.
4Intermediary fees are assessed by the intermediary on the grant to the intermediary. Direct International Grant fees are assessed by Fidelity Charitable directly to the Giving Account.
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