Frequently asked questions

Yes. Friends of Tribals Society is registered under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act. Your 80G receipt is generated automatically and emailed to you as soon as your payment succeeds.

Donations fund Ekal Vidyalayas — one-teacher schools in tribal villages. ₹22,000 covers a full school for one year: the teacher's honorarium, teaching materials and local supervision. ₹1,500 covers one child's education for a year.

Sevapatra is FTS's monthly giving program. A fixed amount is debited automatically each month and you receive a consolidated 80G receipt. You can pause or cancel anytime.

Yes — through Vanyatra, our village visit program, donors travel to Ekal villages and see the schools at work. Many of our lifelong supporters started with a single Vanyatra.

FTS received the Gandhi Peace Prize 2017, presented by the President of India. We have been registered since 1989 (S/62039, West Bengal), publish audited annual reports, and hold 80G, FCRA and CSR-1 registrations.

Income Tax rules require the donor's PAN on 80G receipts for the tax benefit to be claimable.

Foreign contributions are governed by FCRA and must be received into FTS's designated FCRA account. Please contact us before donating from abroad.

FTS is a founding member organisation of the wider Ekal Abhiyan movement, focused on fundraising and running Ekal Vidyalayas through its 36 chapters across India.

Join your nearest chapter, FTS Yuva wing (if you're younger) or Mahila Samiti. See the Volunteer page or contact your city's chapter directly.

Remote tribal villages cannot access schools in distant towns, and formal rural schools struggle to retain qualified teachers. Training one committed local youth solves both problems — the teacher belongs to the village and stays.

Children completing the program are supported to enter formal government schools, having gained the literacy and confidence to continue their education.

₹22,000 runs one Ekal Vidyalaya for a full year — teacher's honorarium, materials and supervision included. You can sponsor a school outright or contribute any amount towards the program.

Contact your nearest FTS chapter — most chapters have an active Mahila Samiti and welcome new members year-round.

Fundraising events, village visits, health and education awareness drives, and mentoring programs for village women and girls.

Anyone roughly 18–40 who wants to contribute time and skills. There is no fee — just enthusiasm and a few hours a month.

There are 24 active Yuva wings, including Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Pune, Ahmedabad and more. Check your city's chapter page.

Donors, volunteers and their families. Trips are organised by chapters; contact your nearest chapter or watch the Events page for dates.

Chapters arrange transport and village hospitality; costs vary by trip and are shared at registration.