Nothing But Nets

1. What is Nothing But Nets?
2. How can I help?
3. How does my $10 donation get to Africa?
4. How do the bed nets save lives?
5. How many people die of malaria every year?
6. Why should I donate money for nets and not vaccinations?
7. Why did the United Nations Foundation decide to get involved in this cause?
8. What other organizations are involved in the campaign?
9. How much overhead does the United Nations Foundation take from my donation?
10. Can I purchase individual nets from Nothing But Nets?
11. Can I request a location to Nothing But Nets for a bed net distribution?
12. How can I get a copy of the Nothing But Nets video?
13. After donating, how long should I expect it to take to receive my receipt?
14. If I donate in honor of a family member or friend, can an acknowledgment be sent notifying the honoree of my donation?
15. Is Nothing But Nets or the UN Foundation a 501c3? If so, can I get a copy of the form to submit for tax purposes?

1. What is Nothing But Nets?
Nothing But Nets is a global, grassroots campaign to save lives by preventing malaria, a leading killer of children in Africa. The Campaign was inspired by ESPN columnist Rick Reilly, who challenged each of his readers to donate at least $10 for the purchase of an anti-malaria bed net. To date, tens of thousands of people have joined the Campaign that was created by the UN Foundation in 2006.

2. How can I help?
Send a net and save a life. You can save a life by making a $10 donation at NothingButNets.net. It’s that easy. Then help us save more lives by spreading the word and getting your friends, family, and community involved. Start a Netraiser Team and check out our toolkit for resources to help you get started.

3. How does my $10 donation get to Africa?
Nothing But Nets works with the Measles Initiative to purchase the nets, transport them to Africa, and distribute them to families. The Measles Initiative is a long-term effort to control measles deaths that has successfully delivered more than 400 million vaccinations and other health services in sub-Saharan Africa. The Measles Initiative partners—the American Red Cross, the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and the United Nations Foundation—have expertise in accessing remote, hard-to-reach areas throughout Arica.

4. How do the bed nets save lives?
Bed nets work in two ways. They stop mosquitoes from biting during the night and spreading the disease, and the insecticide on the net kill the mosquitoes when they land on it, stopping them from flying on to find their next victim. Bed nets can prevent malaria transmission by 50 percent.

5. How many people die of malaria every year?
Malaria is one of the most serious global health issues. Approximately 500 million people each year are infected, and more than one million of those die. Malaria is particularly devastating in Africa where the disease is a leading killer of children, accounting for twenty percent of all childhood deaths. Every 30 seconds a child in Africa dies from a malaria infection.

6. Why should I donate money for nets and not vaccinations?
There are many different ways to prevent malaria. Bed nets, vaccinations, spraying efforts and water treatment are all important tools. Nets are one of the most effective ways to prevent malaria and are an easy way for individuals to make a difference in combating this disease. At this time there is not a consistently effective malaria vaccine. The parasite Plasmodium, which carries the disease, changes rapidly and can become drug resistant.

7. Why did the United Nations Foundation decide to get involved in this cause?
The United Nations Foundation has been working to fight malaria for years.  ESPN columnist Rick Reilly came to the UN Foundation as he was writing his column about malaria and directed people to give through the UN Foundation. Thousands of Reilly's readers responded immediately with letters and donations totaling over $1 million. The UN Foundation decided to build on the momentum, and created Nothing But Nets.

8. What other organizations are involved in the campaign?
Founding campaign partners include the National Basketball Association’s NBA Cares, The People of the United Methodist Church, Sports Illustrated and the United Nations Foundation. Other partners include Major League Soccer's MLS W.O.R.K.S., VH1, AOL Black Voices, Rotarians’ Action Group on Malaria, and Malaria No More.

9. How much overhead does the United Nations Foundation take from my donation?
100% of your donation is used to purchase nets, distribute them to families, and provide education on the proper use of the net.

10. Can I purchase individual nets from Nothing But Nets?
Nothing But Nets does not store bed nets, either to use for personal distribution or for display purposes, in the campaign office. If you are looking for a bed net for display, we recommend purchasing a bed net from a general camping goods store, such as The Great Outdoors Depot or The Outdoor World. Although these nets are not what Nothing But Nets sends to Africa and they are not insecticide treated, they can be similar in size and shape and work well for display purposes.

11. Can I request a location to Nothing But Nets for a bed net distribution?
Nothing But Nets works with the Measles Initiative, a partnership of the American Red Cross, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, UN Foundation, UNICEF and WHO, to purchase and distribute long lasting insecticide-treated nets, distribute them, and educate families on their use. The Measles Initiative works closely with local ministries of health to determine which countries will receive bed nets during integrated health campaigns. These decisions take much consideration and are based on the prevalence of the disease, the number of years since the last campaign, and the interest and preparedness of each country. Such coordination is necessary to conduct effective and efficient campaigns as well as to ensure sustainability. The locations of bed net distributions involving Nothing But Nets are determined through this process at this time.

12.How can I get a copy of the Nothing But Nets video?
Currently, the Nothing But Nets introduction video is available for download on Google Video. To download the video, you can go to http://video.google.com and enter in the search term “Nothing But Nets”. We are working on making the video downloadable from the Nothing But Nets Web site, so stay tuned!

13.After donating, how long should I expect it to take to receive my receipt?
Donations by check will be acknowledged by mail within ten days of receiving the donation. Online receipts will be sent to your e-mail address once the bank processes the payment. The length of time in which to expect the receipt via e-mail may vary on a couple of factors, including whether you made a one-time donation, recurring donation, or a donation through Netraisers. But the process is quick and you should expect the receipt within a day or two of your donation.

14.If I donate in honor of a family member or friend, can an acknowledgment be sent notifying the honoree of my donation?
Yes, Nothing But Nets can send an electronic acknowledgment to the honoree of your donation. When making the donation online, check the tribute box which reads, “Click here to make a gift in honor of a friend or loved one.” You can then include the name and e-mail address of the honoree, along with a personal message. Nothing But Nets will e-mail the acknowledgement right after the donation is made. If the honoree does not have internet access, please send an e-mail with “donation acknowledgement” in the subject line to info@nothingbutnets.net. Please include in the e-mail the following: your name, date of donation, and the name and mailing address of the honoree whom you wish to receive the acknowledgement. If you would like the honoree to receive the acknowledgement by a certain date, please be sure to send the e-mail at least ten days before the desired date.

15.Is Nothing But Nets or the UN Foundation a 501c3? If so, can I get a copy of the form to submit for tax purposes?
Nothing But Nets is a part of the UN Foundation, which is a 501c3 public charity. If you are looking for a copy of the 501c3 form for tax purposes, please send an e-mail with “501c3 form” in the subject line and your contact information to info@nothingbutnets.net.