Help

Here are answers to frequently asked questions about Rebuild Hope. To send additional ones simply use the contact us page. There is also a glossary which defines some terms used on this website.

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Questions & Answers

About the Rebuild Hope Foundation

  1. What type of organization is the Rebuild Hope Foundation?
    Rebuild Hope is a charitable California Public Benefit Corporation that has applied for a 501(c)(3) classification from the Internal Revenue Service and the State of California .
  2. How did Rebuild Hope get started?
    Rebuild Hope was started in 2007 by a small team of Silicon Valley entrepreneurs, each with more than 20 years of business management experience. We regularly encountered Americans who like us were deeply concerned about injured U.S. military but were unsure how they could personally make a difference. So we decided to do something about this "gap" by harnessing the powerful combination of Internet and web technologies and individual, self-directed philanthropists.

About Donors and Donations

  1. How do donors get started?
    First, you need to decide whether you want to join the Rebuild Hope community. Start by simply browsing our website in order to understand our purpose, our members and how we work together through this website.
  2. Must donors create a personal account on the Rebuild Hope website.
    Donors are NOT required to create a personal account on Rebuild Hope. That is, they can make donations without registering as a member of our community. However, those who do establish a personal account enjoy additional benefits and so we encourage you to do so.
  3. What personal information about individual donors will be displayed on Rebuild Hope?
    We offer donors opportunities to be recognized for their contributions to the Rebuild Hope community. For example, both a donor honor roll and a major donor roll are currently displayed on our website. You have the option of being listed but it is not mandatory. In the future we intend to enable donors to create and display personal profiles on the Rebuild Hope website and link to their profiles on social networks like Facebook.
  4. Can donors remain anonymous?
    Yes.
  5. How are donations made?

    Donations can be made on-line using either a Master Card or Visa credit card. When you select the donor button associated with a beneficiary you will be taken to our online payment system.

    If instead, you prefer to use a personal check, please

    • make it payable to Rebuild Hope Inc.
    • clearly state how you wish it to be used
    • send the check to the following address:

     

    Rebuild Hope Inc.
    365 Ambar Way
    Menlo Park, CA 94025

  6. What donation amount is either expected or required?
    The minimum donation to any individual recipient is $25.00 per "online transaction". The donation form provides additional details.
  7. Can a donor help more than one person or family?
    Yes, you can help as many as you want. After you complete an initial donation return to the Who You Can Help page and restart the selection process.
  8. How are donations distributed by Rebuild Hope?
    After Rebuild Hope (a) receives a notice that your donation has been received and (b) Rebuild Hope has verified that the applicant has fulfilled all our requirements, your donation is transferred to the beneficiary's bank account.
  9. Are donations tax-deductible?
    Please read the Tax Treatment page in order to understand whether your donation might qualify for a tax deduction.
  10. What part of a donation is actually distributed to beneficiaries?
    Rebuild Hope transfers 100% of beneficiary donations. This is extremely unusual as reported in a recent audit of military support organizations
  11. How are donations distributed?
    Once Rebuild Hope (a) receives a notice that a donation has been received in the Rebuild Hope PayPal account and (b) Rebuild Hope has verified that the applicant has fulfilled all our requirements, the donation is transferred to the applicant's PayPal account.

About Applicants, Recipients and Requests

>>> Qualifications

  1. What definition of a severe injury is used by Rebuild Hope?
    A severe injury either has or will prevent someone from ever returning to active military duty. While the service man or woman might be classified as active, they expect to receive a military medical discharge. Severe injuries include blindness, total hearing loss, an amputation, severe body burns, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury and some cases of post traumatic stress disease (PTSD).
  2. Do non-combat injuries qualify?
    Yes, any injury that occurs during the time someone is classified as "active duty" qualifies.
  3. Is there any limitation on the dollar value of a request?
    Yes, there are limits. The current limit is $2400 a year but can vary over time at Rebuild Hope's sole discretion. Also, Rebuild Hope has the sole authority to make exceptions at any time.
  4. Are there any restrictions on the types of requests that can be made?
    Yes, please review our guidelines.
  5. Can applicants request financial assistance for something they have already purchased?
    Yes, but they must provide Rebuild Hope a validated receipt for all items BEFORE the request is published. And the payment must have been within the past 90 days. Rebuild Hope has the sole authority to adjust this restriction.

>>> Application Process

  1. Who can submit an application?
    In general an application can be submitted by an injured serviceman or woman or any adult who has been authorized by to file it on their behalf. In the case of injured active military ONLY the person filing an application cannot be either a dependent or member of the active military.
  2. How do I get started?
    First, you need to decide whether you want to join the Rebuild Hope community. Start by visiting the Request Help page and then browse our website in order to understand our purpose, our members and how we work together. When you are ready to apply register as a "recipient" member.
  3. How does the application process work?
    A detailed description is displayed on the Application Processweb page.
  4. What information must be provided in an application?
    Please review the application form.
  5. How does an applicant know whether an application has been approved by Rebuild Hope?
    Rebuild Hope aims to review all submitted applications for completeness within 2 business days. If we have questions they will be e-mailed to the applicant. Once an application is accepted, Rebuild Hope will start the approval process. Since approval requires the verification of submitted information this process can take a couple weeks.

>>> Recipient Public Profiles & Requests

  1. How does an applicant create a personal profile on Rebuild Hope?
    After you have submitted information for your personal profile Rebuild Hope will create an online version. We require that you approve your profile before it is displayed publicly.
  2. Will Rebuild Hope help an applicant create a public profile?
    Yes, simply e-mail your question(s)to us or call.
  3. How can individual requests be added, dropped or modified?
    Rebuild Hope will work with you to make all appropriate changes to your profile.

>>> Receiving Donations

  1. How are individual donations delivered to beneficiaries?
    All transactions are made through online PayPal accounts. Donors transfer funds to Rebuild Hope; Rebuild Hope then transfers donations to the applicant accounts.
  2. How does one set up a free personal online payment account?
    Follow the easy instructions at the PayPal website.
  3. How are donations distributed?
    Once Rebuild Hope (a) receives a notice that a donation has been received in the Rebuild Hope PayPal account and (b) Rebuild Hope has verified that the applicant has fulfilled all our requirements, the donation is transferred to the applicant's PayPal account.
  4. How are applicants notified when donations are made?
    Rebuild Hope will notify applicants when it transfers donations to their personal PayPal account.