FAQs

What is 'Smile Fund'?

Smile Fund is a platform to raise funds and awareness for Operation Smile.  When you create a campaign, you're joining Operation Smile and our mission to bring smiles and renewed hope to children around the world born with cleft lip, cleft palate and other facial deformities. You can participate in any way you'd like: run, walk, hold a bake sale, ask for donations in lieu of gifts for your birthday or wedding, or create your own fundraiser! It's easy to get started and be successful – simply sign up today and we'll be there every step of the way. 

How do I set up a fundraising campaign?

It only takes a minute to set up your fundraising page. Once you register, you'll have access to your fundraising dashboard – where you can personalize your page, send emails to friends and family, share your campaign and track your tips. You'll also have access to your very own support representative if you have any questions along the way.

I want to fundraise, but I'm not sure what I can do. Any ideas?

Whether it's taking donations in lieu of gifts for your birthday or wedding, running a 5K, commemorating some special in your life or holding an event there's a ton you can do to raise funds and awareness! Still unsure? Contact us and we'll brainstorm together – we're here to help.

How is the money I raise used?

The funds you raise are used to help further Operation Smile's mission to help children around the world born with cleft lip, cleft palate, and other facial deformities. Be sure to check our blog periodically for heartwarming photos and stories from around the world that you make possible.

Are gifts tax-deductible? Who acknowledges donations?

Any gift to Operation Smile – through Smile Fund participant pages or otherwise – are 100% tax-deductible. Each supporter who donates online will receive an emailed acknowledgement from Operation Smile that also serves as a receipt for tax purposes.

You can also use the email and social tools provided in your fundraising center to thank your donors!

Where do I send check donations?

Collect some of your funds 'offline'? No worries. We've set up a simple form available in the Champion Center for you to make sure that each person is receipted correctly AND you're fundraising efforts are reflected on your page!  Checks should be made payable to Operation Smile – one for each person's donation – and mailed in with the offline donation form to:

Operation Smile Global Headquarters
ATTN:  Smile Fund
3641 Faculty Boulevard
Virginia Beach, VA 23453 USA

What about cash donations?

Please don't send cash donations through the mail. Ask your cash donors to convert their gifts to cashier's checks, personal checks or money orders instead.

I don't remember my username or password – what do I do?

Hey, we all forget, no worries! It's easy to recover your login-credentials. Simply visit the login page and select the “forgot password” or “email me my username” and follow the instructions. If you're still having trouble, you can always contact us.

About Operation Smile

Operation Smile is an international medical charity that has provided hundreds of thousands of free surgeries for children and young adults in developing countries who are born with cleft lip, cleft palate or other facial deformities. It is one of the oldest and largest volunteer-based organizations dedicated to improving the health and lives of children worldwide through access to surgical care. Since 1982, Operation Smile has developed expertise in mobilizing volunteer medical teams to conduct surgical missions in resource-poor environments while adhering to the highest standards of care and safety. Operation Smile helps to fill the gap in providing access to safe, well-timed surgeries by partnering with hospitals, governments and ministries of health, training local medical personnel, and donating much-needed supplies and equipment to surgical sites around the world. Founded and based in Virginia, U.S., Operation Smile has extended its global reach to more than 60 countries through its network of credentialed surgeons, pediatricians, doctors, nurses, and student volunteers.

About Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate

A cleft is a gap in the mouth that didn't close during the early stages of pregnancy, and this kind of birth defect happens more often than you may realize. It is estimated that, worldwide, a child is born every 3 minutes with a cleft — about one in 500-750 births. Sometimes a cleft condition can be easy to see because it's an opening in the lip. Sometimes it's harder to tell if someone has a cleft because it's an opening in the roof of their mouth (called the palate.)  For more information visit our in-depth overview.