1. Is Our Creator’s Hope a legitimate non-profit organization?
   • YES, we are Incorporated in the State of Alabama, abide to their state regulations regarding Non-profit organizations and are in compliance with all IRS laws regarding our current 501(c)(3) status.
2. What is the goal (mission) of OCH?
   • The mission of OCH is to provide grants to married christian families that are near the end of the adoption process and need funds to complete the adoption and bring their child home.
3. What does it mean when you state “subject to fund availability”?
   • OCH is funded solely on donations from people like you. We provide quarterly grants based on the funds available at the time the review process begins. Should OCH not have sufficient funds available no grants will be awarded that quarter.
4. How are you able to keep your overhead costs so low?
   • We have designed our organization to run mainly off the efforts of its founders, Raymond and Leigh Stevens. However, we also require the BOD to assist in the day to day operations. All efforts are on a charitable basis and no salaries, fees, or other expenses are provided to those who assist OCH. Our goal is to maintain 0% overhead costs. Paypal and internet host do require a fee for its use. Those fees are paid by its founders on a monthly basis.
5. Why isn’t there a phone number listed on your contact page?
   • Because we do not have a brick and mortar building (at this time) and because we are a new organization that is trying to ensure that all monies received via donation go to the families. However, should a special situation arise, we can call you to discuss your circumstance. Email is the preferred contact method.
6. How do you raise money for OCH?
   • Currently we have a few ways to raise money for OCH: through donations (paypal, check); through online shopping at www.igive.com, www.zazzle.com, and www.visitourmall.com; and through www.goodsearch.com where every search earns OCH $.01.
7. Who can apply for an OCH grant? What are the requirements for the application?
   • We have specific criteria in place for the application process. Please refer to our Grant Applications page.
8. Why do you provide grants on a Quarterly basis?
   • Remember, our organization is run by volunteers and the efforts put forth are on a charitable basis. Therefore, the BOD has set a quarterly grant award timeline to allow each board member time to review all the applications received during that quarter.
9. How much money is available per quarterly grant award?
   • Because our grants are "subject to fund availability", we are unable to determine the amount of each award and how many awards will be approved. The following variables dictate our quarterly grant awards: fund availability, number of applications approved, and internal review procedures.
10. How do I mail a check to Our Creator’s Hope?
    • Our Creator's Hope mailing address can be found on our Donations page.
11. How do I donate online with Our Creator’s Hope?
    • Our Creator's Hope PAYPAL link can be found on our Donations page.
12. I do not wish to donate to OCH, but I would like to give my time or other resources. How do I do that?
    • Giving to OCH is easy. You can donate money, you can apply to our BOD (if vacancy: see BOD page), you can use one of our online shopping portals that donate a % of your purchase to OCH, or you can just search the web through www.goodsearch.com in which every search earns OCH $.01. Its that easy.
13. How do I contact OCH if I have general questions?
    • Please see our Contact Page. We prefer email communication to keep our overhead costs low.
14. Why do you require all families that receive a grant to provide a photo and essay of their adoption?
    • We ask our grant recipients to provide a photo of the child/family along with a brief essay on how OCH helped them. We like to show our donors how they have made a difference in the life of a child. Plus, we like to see the faces of the forever families that we have helped.
15. What are the criteria the BOD uses when making a decision about an adoption grant for a family? Is there any additional information that we could provide to help the BOD make a more informed decision?
    • Our organization is Biblically based and therefore we pray over each and every family that applies. No additional information is necessary as our application process requires adequate information to make an informed decision about the applicant.
16. What other resources can you suggest that will help with our adoption financing?
    • Our links page will be updated regularly and will provide additional resources that we believe to be helpful with the adoption process. Included will be other grant programs and financing arrangements.
17. I want to become a Board of Directors member, how can I apply?
    • Our BOD is staffed by people that have a strong desire to help the orphans of the world. Should OCH advertise an available position on its BOD page, feel free to put together a resume and three letters of reference along with an essay as to why you should be elected to the BOD.
18. How do I donate to Our Creator's Hope, what are the ways I can give money?
    • Donations to OCH are given one of three ways: 1. donate online through our PAYPAL link on the Donations page. 2. Send a check or money order to OCH via their Wachovia Bank mailing address.
19. I see that you are partnered with igive.com and visitourmall.com, are they secure and do they add me to mailing lists or email spam?
    • YES, igive, zazzle, and visit our mall are all secure online shopping portals. Our friends and family use them year round to generate donations to our organization. Additionally, you can use www.goodsearch.com where each online search will generate $.01 for our organization. There is no email spam, mailing lists, or telemarketing involved with any of OCH's affiliated programs.
20. I see that you are partnered with www.goodsearch.com, does it collect personal data and do I have to register with the site?
    • NO, this search engine is yahoo powered and is used by non-profit organizations to earn $.01 per search. No other catches. Just search and earn for OCH! Its that easy!
21. I want to buy Our Creator's Hope products, where can I do that?
    • OCH has partnered with www.zazzle.com. See our link on the Donations page. You can buy U.S. postal stamps, coffee mugs, t-shirts, etc...
22. I want to advertise with my church, do you have a flyer or other literature that I can post?
    • YES, please feel free to download a copy here.
23. Are my donations tax deductible?
    • YES, we are a IRS 501(c)(3) organization in which donations are tax deductible. We advise you to consult your tax advisor to ensure deductibility.
24. Will I receive a summary at the end of the year showing my contributions?
    • OCH will provide each contributor a summary at year end via email. However, please keep track of your own contributions for tax purposes, due to changed email addresses, mailing addresses, or other breaks in communication. If you need us to send you a summary of your donations you can request it at: administration@ourcreatorshope.com
25. What percent (%) of my donation will actually go towards someone's adoption grant? i.e. what are your overhead costs?
    • Our overhead costs are $0.00. All time and resources provided to OCH are donated by people like you. Therefore, all donations will be given to a family for their adoption.
26. I want to specify the family that my money is going to, can this be done?
    • Unfortunately, based on IRS code, donators are not allowed to allocate funds to specific families or children. To allow such actions would nullify our 501(c) status
27. I would like a receipt from OCH once they receive my check/deposit, will they provide me one?
    • At your request, we will provide you a receipt. Otherwise, we will send a donations summary via email at year end to show what your donations are. Please keep in mind that it is YOUR responsibility to keep up with donations. Our summary is provided as a courtesy.
28. What is the proper timing for applying for an OCH adoption grant?
    • Due to the Quarterly grant awards, you are allowed to apply anytime during that quarter up to the 15th of the month prior to Quarters end. i.e March 15th, June 15th, Sept 15th, Dec 15th. This is explained on the Grant Application page.
29. I don’t meet one or more of the criteria for an adoption grant, may I still apply?
    • All applications will be reviewed at Quarters end. It is your responsibility to ensure that all OCH receives all your information. Should you not meet all the criteria at time of review, you will not be eligible for a grant.
30. What criteria must my adoptive child meet to be eligible for an adoption grant?
    • Our grants are not limited by the children's race, special need, age, religion, or any other demographic. The only requirements are established based on the adoptive parents and the agencies they adopt through. We at OCH believe EVERY child deserves a Godly home.
31. What is the typical amount of an adoption grant (per BOD approved application)?
    • This is determined by fund availability, number of applications and number of approved grants. The minimum will be $1,000 and the maximum $10,000 per application.
32. I have filled out the grant application, but am not able to email it. Can I mail it or fax it?
    • YES. However, we ask that all applications be emailed when possible to avoid delays in receipt of the application. If you need to mail or fax the application, please email us with your request and we will accommodate.
33. What is the deadline for the application to be received at OCH?
    • OCH's quarters end on March 31st, June 30th, Sept 30th, and Dec 31st. Any All applications received after the 15th of those months are considered for the following quarter.
34. How will OCH contact me after my application is reviewed?
    • After all applications are reviewed, an email (letter) will be sent to all applicants. The letter will state whether you were approved or denied and why that decision was made. This letter should be expected within 15 Calendar days after the quarters end. An affidavit will accompany the letter which states your agreement to the receipt of the funds. This affidavit must be notorized and returned to OCH prior to any funds being disbursed.
35. If I apply for $10,000 how much will my grant be for?
    • All grants are subject to BOD review and fund availability. Your grant will be based on those two criteria. The amount of your grant will be included within your letter after quarters end.
36. If I am denied for that quarters grant, how long will my file stay on record? Do I have to re-apply next quarter?
    • All applicants that are denied, providing they were not denied for an incomplete application, will remain in the application procedure for the following two (2) quarters. If not approved at that time, the application will be eliminated from grant eligibility.
37. If I am awarded a Grant, may I reapply for future grants?
    • We encourage families to apply regardless if they have been awarded a grant in the past; however, the receipt of a grant in prior quarters will disallow you from receiving a grant over a similarly qualified family that has never received a grant from OCH.
38. I received my grant award approval letter, what do I do next?
    • Once you receive your grant approval letter, instructions for the next steps will be included. Providing that we have all the information to provide your adoption agency the payment, we will contact them and arrange payment on a timely basis.
39. Once approved, how soon will the money be given to my approved 501(c)(3) adoption agency?
    • OCH will provide the money to your 501(c)(3) adoption agency within 30 calendar days after receipt of the notorized affidavit. Should you need the money sooner due to a court date within that time, please contact us and we will do our best to accommodate.

IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION THAT IS NOT ANSWERED ABOVE, please email us at information@ourcreatorshope.com and present us your question.