We think we are unique because we promise 100% of donated funds go to the children. We have very dedicated board members who spend a great deal of time for FREE serving the children because they love and care for them. It's rare today to find such dedication and generosity. They deserve to be paid for the hours they spend, but payment in hugs has been more than enough.

It costs a great deal to feed and care for this many kids every week - and we need every cent we raise to just make sure their basic needs are met.

7. What makes your orphanage fund different from other charities?

We have been serving 4 of these homes for almost 40 years and chose to support two more that opened in the area because of the important work they are doing. We make sure the organizations are ethical, caring, and led by good people we trust.

8. How do you choose which orphanages to support?

All the homes are located around Mazatlan Mexico and though they differ slightly in how well repaired or how old the buildings are, all the children have comfortable beds, adequate food and clothing, access to help with homework and schooling, toys, and activities. Because of our donors the children are treated to occasional fun outings like movies or swimming, and as much as possible the homes feel like homes, not orphanages. Some of the homes do not refer to themselves as orphanages at all. They want the children to feel like they have a home and family, it's just a little different. You are welcome to arrange a tour of the homes and visit yourself. Just become a volunteer or an Ambassador with us and let us arrange a time for your visit.

9. Where are the children located, and what are their living conditions like?

Each home is different and some do receive a little support from either the Catholic Church, the Salvation Army, or the Mexican Government, but some don't get anything and rely solely on donations.

None of the homes receive enough support that they can make it without outside assistance from organizations like us. We do not run the homes and are only part of their support system, but we are usually their largest donor and biggest support.

They could not provide for the children without us and are so grateful for our involvement and care.

10. Do the orphanage recieve other money or support?

You can edit or cancel your recurring plan at any time, whether or not you have a Givebutter login. The easiest way to edit your recurring plan is to click the management link at the bottom of any Givebutter receipt. The options you can change at any time include:

amount of the donation
frequency of the donation
status of the plan – Active, Paused, or Canceled
date of the next recurring charge
payment method – credit or debit card used, as applicable
processing fee settings

Creating a recurring plan does not automatically create a Givebutter login, account, or user profile, nor is one required. Don't worry, you can still edit your recurring plan without a login.

Edit your recurring plan ✏️

Near the bottom of an email receipt you've received, you'll see a link to manage your recurring donation.

You can use any receipt associated with the relevant recurring plan – it doesn't need to be the most recent receipt.

Clicking this link in your receipt will direct you to a Givebutter web page titled Manage Your Gift. You'll see a summary of your current recurring plan.
Click Edit Plan to make changes.

1. Can I change or cancel a recurring donation?

Before you submit a donation you must read the text on the donation form. It says....

An optional tip allows Tres Islas Orphanage Fund Incorporated to use Givebutter's 100% free fundraising platform and keeps it running for all nonprofits. Thank you!

IT IS AUTOMATICALLY SET AT 15% - THIS ADDS SIGNIFICANTLY TO THE TOTAL YOU DONATE.

YOU HAVE THE OPTION TO CHANGE THIS. YOU CAN SELECT ONLY 1% OR LESS - AND THEREFORE ALL THE MONEY YOU DONATE WILL GO TOWARDS THE CHILDREN AND TRES ISLAS.

THERE IS NO WAY TO CHANGE THIS AFTER THE DONATION HAS BEEN MADE - SO PLEASE READ THE DONATION FORM IN FULL AND CHANGE THIS AMOUNT BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR DONATION.

THIS IS IMPORTANT TO READ AND UNDERSTAND BEFORE MAKING A DONATION ****

2. What fees does GiveButter take, and how can I minimize them?

We all work as volunteers or are paid through specific directed donations - so 100% OF YOUR DONATION GOES TO THE CHILDREN AND THE HOMES WE SERVE.

We never give the homes cash. We buy the things they need and deliver them to make sure we know where every cent of your donation is used.

3. How much of my donation goes directly to the children?

We are a US 501C3 - so your donation is 100% tax deductible if you are a US citizen or pay taxes in the United States.

Our EIN number is #84-1671880

4. Is my donation tax-deductible?

You can contact us about needs at specific homes at any time and we can let you know what they currently need. They often can use soap, light bulbs, toilet paper, personal care products, food, and cleaning supplies. Most of our donors find it is easier though to donate the money and allow us to purchase and provide the supplies to each home as needed rather than do this themselves. We discourage donors from giving cash donations directly to the homes, but rather allow us to use systems perfected over 40 years to make sure the homes needs are met.

Many donors desire to bring used clothing and shoes to Mazatlan for the children, unfortunately these items are rarely needed. Please contact us before bringing these types of items to Mexico.

5. Can I send physical supplies or gifts instead of money?

Yes, you are welcome to make directed donations and can let us know which child or home you wish your money to be used for. You are welcome to sponsor a child at a home of your choice - through our sponsor a child program. We don't specifically assign you a child by name, but that doesn't mean you can't ask us to provide certain things for a child of your choice. Just let us know what you desire.

We recommend choosing a home rather than a specific child when possible because you can then visit and get involved with that home and build relationships there. We find that works best.

6. Can I choose to support a specific child or project?

Yes - We love taking visitors to the Orphanages and there lots of opportunities to help and volunteer depending on how long you will be in Mazatlan. Fill out our volunteer form or send us a message and let's discuss options. Our volunteer coordinators will help you figure out how to use your skills or interests to benefit the children's lives.

11. Can I visit the orphanage in person or volunteer?

We have organized Mission Weeks in the past and are open to doing so again if we get enough interest. Right now we are offering more personalized visits, but if you have a group that would like to come help with big projects or experiences we can plan and arrange that too. Just contact us and let's discuss what you have in mind.

12. Do you offer service trips or humanitarian experiences?

Yes, and this is probably our greatest need. We need people who would help us spread the word on social media and raise money where you live. We love our Ambassadors who host fundraisers and spread the word about Orphanage needs with their family and friends back home. Please visit our volunteer page or contact us and join the team of caring people who raise the money that makes it all possible.

13. Are there ways to get involved from home or remotely?

Yes, we are always looking for organizations who would like to get involved. The backbone of our donors are businesses and foundations that support our work. Please contact us and let's discuss sponsorship and other opportunities to make a big impact.

14. Can my business or organization partner with your charity?

Each of the homes makes chld safety their upmost concern. Children's faces are not shown on social media, privacy is honored, security at the homes is a priority. We are constantly aware of the dangers of trafficking, especially in Mexico, and we go to great lengths to ensure the children are safe and cannot participate in risky behavior online or locally.

We are often asked if it disregarding the children's privacy to bring guests to tour their homes. We find that the children are happy to receive guests who intend to volunteer and donate, not just take photos and say they visited an orphanage on social media. We ask visitors not to post photos online and respect the children's privacy, but to help us spread the world and raise money and show love.

15. How do you keep the children safe and ensure ethical practices?

Yes, this is the main goal of each home. Many of the children leave the homes if good, safe, families can be found. Most of the homes havve on staff Social Workers, who work with families when possible to reunite with their children. The problem is that adoption is rare in Mexico as families cannot afford more mouths to feed. International adoption happens, but the process is long and complex. Often the best we can do is provide a home and family-like environment in the homes and show the children love and care - the best we can. We encourage you to consider sponsoring a child at a home and get to know them this way. You can have a beautiful relationship without formal adoption.

16. Do you support family reunification or adoption efforts?

Because of caring donors like you, we are able to provide psychologists, tutors, social workers, and schooling for the children. FloreSer has a special mental health fund to provide the extra special care the girls require and we desperately need donors to help us fund this. All of the homes stress education as the most important thing for the children. We work hard to provide opportunities for higher education to every child who desires it. If you would like to help us make this happen, reach out and contact us.

17. How are the children’s emotional and educational needs being met?

We have been working in Mazatlan as a reputable US 501C3 for almost 40 years. We have filed financial statements and yearly reports, and can show that 100% of money received goes to feed and care for the children. All of our Board Members are volunteers and each of the homes can be reached individually and asked about our history of work with them. We are their biggest donor and biggest supporter. Read below about how we manage your money and make sure not a cent is wasted or stolen. Our EIN number in the US is 84-1408725

18. How do I know you are a trustworthy organization and not a scam?

Sign up for our Newsletter, make a donation, or fill out the form to be a volunteer and you will be added to our mailing list. We send out regular emails, newletters, and reports to let you see exactly what we are doing and how you money is being spent.

Watch our blog for recent goings on and our website for financial reports.

19. Can I see reports on how my donation is used?

Yes, follow our Blog, or sign up for our newsletter - or just make a donation and you will be automatically added to our mailing list and send updates on the homes, the children's success stories and reports on how your donations are being used.

20. Do you share success stories or photos from the orphanages?

We have always made detailed accounting a priority and we go to great lengths to save signed receipts and account for where every penny is spent. We also never give the homes cash (unless we know exactly where it is being spent and get receipts). Most of the time we buy goods directly and give them to the homes. We purchase food at the grocery store with the homes and see exactly what is being purchased. We insist on healthy food items and only allow treats for special occasions. We see the homes food stores and make sure everything is being used for the children. We have facilitators who are on the ground and making sure your money is honored and spent on exactly what you request.

We have not had any problems with unaccounted for money or goods in almost 40 years, because our systems our time-tested and proven. We can always show signed receipts for anything purchased for the homes.

We do not recommend giving cash to the homes - when you can donate through us and we can make sure your money is spent on exactly the need it was meant for.

21. How do you make sure the money goes to the children and is not wasted?

Yes, just make a small donation, sign up as a volunteer or contact us through the website and we will add you to our mailing list.

You will receive regular newsletters and reports on everything we are doing for the homes.

22. Can I sign up for a newsletter or updates?

Make a Personal Difference
Sponsor One Child

This is your chance to get more personally involved with the children who need our help. Choose one of our homes that you feel connected to and sponsor one child with either a $50 or $100 a month donation. This would help us provide for one child. $50 provides the basic food to sustain life for one child. $100. allows us to provide clothing, personal care products, education and other needs.

Our Homes:

FloreSer - Home for adolescent girls who have been the victims of violence or abuse.
Refugio - A Home for adolescent boys to break the poverty cycle and help them become successful in life.
Casa del Sol - A home for girls providing a safe and loving environment for girls in need.
Hogar san Pablo - A home for boys providing a secure and caring home, education and good health
Ciudad de los Ninos - A home for abandoned and neglected children
Salvation Army Home - for children in need of financial, educational, and social services.