Scammers and other criminal elements seeking to swindle unsuspecting victims are now spreading their nets to international philanthropies. Using the name of non-governmental, not-for-profit organisations to defraud researchers, grant seekers, civil society groups, churches, and local communities, may be on the increase.
In some instances, the criminal elements demand payments for registrations and insurance from desperate or unsuspecting fund seekers to facilitate grants and sponsorships from non-governmental organisations.
The situation has necessitated the Ford Foundation and MacArthur Foundation to issue a joint statement to clarify their modus operandi. These organisations are committed to promoting transparency, accountability, and social change.
In the statement, the organisations are warning the general public against subscribing to the negative schemes of criminal elements, noting that Ford Foundation and MacArthur Foundation do not require registration and payments prior to application for grants.
They also do not sponsor lotteries, ask for personal banking information from individuals, or ask grantees to pay insurance, deposits, or any delivery and administrative fees for grant funds. Such requests by fraudsters run contrary to the transparency, accountability, and social change activities, which are hallmarks of the organisations.
Organisations wishing to apply for grants to these Foundations or learn more about their mission, vision, objectives and ways of working are advised to visit their website: fordfoundation.org, macfound.org
