What is GiftAway

GiftAway is a program created by the Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Wisconsin-Madison (Madison RPCVs) to disburse funds to educational and self-help development projects around the world. The Madison RPCVs raise thousands of dollars each year through the creation and sales of the International Calendar (see https://www.rpcvmadison.org/cpages/international-calendar for information about the calendar), and proceeds from these sales are given as grants once or twice per year through GiftAway and our other donations programs.

GiftAway grants are given to projects that are proposed and sponsored by RPCV-Madison members. Any member may apply for funding to support a development project or projects. A preference is given to smaller projects whose proponents do not have the resources for large fundraising efforts, rather than to projects supported by large national groups. The decision about which specific projects are funded is made by the members who attend the GiftAway meetings and listen to all proposals.

Most GiftAway grants fund overseas projects in countries currently or formerly served by Peace Corps, and on rare occasions in other countries. We also fund projects in Wisconsin, as long as those projects directly involve refugees and/or immigrants.

There is an upper limit to the amount that may be requested for a project (typically $500–$3,000), depending on the funds allocated in each GiftAway cycle. Current funding information is available from the GiftAway Donations Chair.

See past recipients of GiftAway grants.

In addition to GiftAway, the Madison RPCVs also donate funds directly to the National Peace Corps Association, Peace Corps Partnership Programs, Global Diversity Grants, and Open Doors for Refugees.

Download a copy of "What is the GiftAway Program" information

School Gardens and Tree Nursery – 2015 grant to Call To Nature Permaculture in Ghana.
Photo by Mary Crave

Applications are voted on every year usually in April and October. Any RPVC-Madison member may submit an application. 

For April 2023, there is a total of $19,000 to give in donations and the maximum amount to request is $2,000 per project.

• Grant Applications are due Friday, March 31, 2023.

• The Giftaway virtual meeting is on Saturday, April 15, 2023. Applicants should plan to log in at 12:30 pm for a tech check. All other attendees should login by 1:00 pm to hear the presentations and vote.

The Application Instructions for April 2023 includes application eligibility, requirements, deadlines, and instructions.

The Application Cover Form for April 2023 needs to be filled out per guidelines and submitted as a separate attachment with the application. 

Use the Scoring Sheet from April 2018 as a reference to understand how proposals will be voted on. 

See a list of past recipients of the GiftAway donations.

Email the GiftAway Coordinator with any questions.

Vote on GiftAway Donation Requests

Every RPCV-Madison member has a chance to vote on the GiftAway requests to determine which projects the group supports. The meetings to vote on applications are held every year in April and October. Registration is required for these meetings. To see the dates/times of the meetings and to register, go to our calendar page. If you don't see anything on the calendar for April or October, the meeting hasn't been scheduled yet. Check back later.