Finances

PDs raise $8900 in donations to cover their living expenses, operating costs, and basic program expenses. The breakdown is approximately $685/month:

*To give our Program Directors freedom to pay for small living amenities, travel expenses, and occasionally eating out, part of living cost goes to providing a weekly living stipend. That means that of the money you raise, $1040 goes to your personal living stipend. 

Fundraising

Approximately $685 a month for thirteen months comes to a total of $8,900. That kind of fundraising can be an arduous process but you can do it! To help, we offer resources and support to PDs as they seek donations.  Once accepted, PDs receive a fundraising kit, which includes letter campaign templates, commitment cards, and other tools to help them achieve their fundraising goals.  All deductions to MPI are tax-deductible, and strictly confidential between MPI’s administrators and the individual for whom donations are designated or who operates the designated program.

Scholarships

Below are several third-party sites that offer scholarships to volunteers.  Each scholarship has different requirements that might fit a certain individual.  Please note, MPI is not affiliated with any of these organizations, and applications must be completed independently.

LIVFund : Candidates coming to Latin America with an organized program, designing their own program or still waiting to be accepted to an abroad program are all eligible to apply. Students, interns and volunteers who are already abroad are also eligible to receive funding.  Candidates may apply for the LIVFund Scholarship up to six [6] months in advance of their program start date.

Travel & Language School Account (optional): max of $3000

A separate account designated specifically for a program director’s travel and additional language school is available for each participant. Funds must be specifically donated towards this separate account or must be in excess to the required annual financial commitment, and may only be accessed by the participant on the basis of a reimbursement. To receive a reimbursement from this account receipts must be presented to the designated administrative figure with a description of the expense. Travel expenses will only be granted if the travel is MPI-related, with a maximum of two roundtrip flights not exceeding $2500 total. MPI-related travel includes traveling to and from your respective site at the beginning and end of the 13 months as well as one additional “wellness” trip during winter break or another approved vacation period. For all other travel, program directors need to plan ahead and set aside the necessary personal funds in order to buy airfare (i.e. job interviews, weddings, etc.). If a participant fails to raise enough money for their living expenses, money from this separate account will be automatically transferred to cover them. Unused money in this account will go toward the Manna General Fund unless specified by the participant.

Insurance

MPI's policy with MEDEX is an international travel insurance policy, and therefore designed to cover emergencies while our volunteers are living internationally. If you have preexisting health conditions, please review this policy and its coverage to determine if you should also keep your current personal insurance or if you need to purchase additional coverage for your time abroad. To receive a copy of MPI's insurance policy, or for more information, please contact Lori Scharffenberg at lori@mannaproject.org.