1. What Is PEF?
PEF is a non-profit organization that provides financial assistance to poor and deserving students who has gotten an admission in a professional college but cannot pursue their education due to lack of financial resources.
2. Who are the people behind PEF?
TThe Board of Governors consists of some of the leading businessmen and notable professionals from the corporate world. To find out about our Board of Governors, please refer to our website https://www.pef-uk.org/board-of-governors/
3. What is the governance model of PEF ?
PEF team consists of 7 staff members and is led by the CEO, who reports to the Board of Governors. All business processes are managed as a mini corporation, The Board of Governors meets every quarter to monitor progress and provide guidance on future policies
4. Do the Board members derive any monetary benefit from the Foundation?
No. All such expenses are borne personally by the governors for the most part.
5. Where does PEF receive its funds from?
Presently PEF receives its funds from various corporate organizations and hundreds of individuals based in Pakistan, USA, UK and a few other countries. Our board of governors also contribute generously every year.
6. Are the donations tax exempted in Pakistan & USA ?
The foundation has received tax exemption certificate from FBR as such all local donations are tax exempted. Donations in USA are also tax exempted, while in UK the donations are entitled for Gift Aid support from the government.
7. Is PEF eligible for Zakat ?
Yes. Our whole process of fund collection and expenditure is fully zakat compliant. Zakat is used to fund only those students who are eligible for zakat (Mustahiqeen-E-Zakat) and separate bank accounts are maintained for Zakat funds. We also have a zakat compliance certificate from a registered Sharia advisor.
8. How much are administration expenses of PEF and who bears these expenses?
PEF admin expenses have ranged between 10-12 %. BoG members has contributed about 20 % of our total funding, thereby exceeding the cost of administration & staff.
9. Do all expenses related to traveling, holding of dinners to promote/propagate PEF's cause come from donations?
No. All such expenses are borne personally by the governors for the most part. Some of the expenses are debited to the proceeds of the event or sponsored by private organization.
10. How do you meet the cost of fund-raisers?
The expenses of all fund-raising events, like Mela/carnival etc., are sponsored and / or debited to the proceeds of that event.
11. Who audits PEF accounts?
From 2019-20 onwards, our auditors are PWC-AF Ferguson.
12. How many students is PEF funding this year and how many have graduated so far ?
In 2019-20 we funded 1900 students and in 2020-21 we plan to fund 2100 students. Over the 2009-2020, PEF has produced 1700+ graduates which include 782 Doctors, 608 Engineers, 192 Agriculture Engineers, 57 Business Studies & 56 Computer Science and IT professionals.
13. What is the drop-out rate of students?
Dropout rate is minimal which is less than 2%
14. How can we volunteer and support the PEF cause?
There are 4 concrete ways to join PEF’s mission of Poverty Alleviation through Professional Education:
- Join one of our chapters in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, London, Toronto, Silicon Valley, Chicago, and Houston and help us in raising funds through your individual contacts and by organizing local fund raisers.
- Create a group of “Friends of PEF” in your city or amongst your friends and share with them our marketing material, student stories and our performance over last 11 years.
- Give us a list of your contacts and we will send them an update on PEF every month.
- Create your own fundraising initiative for PEF like Bazaar, fund raising in schools and clubs.