Donating in Guatemala: Frequently Asked Questions

How can I donate to Guatemala from the US?

Through Start with a Smile Project's GoFundMe fundraiser. You pay with Visa, Mastercard, American Express or Discover, in your own currency, with no account needed; the minimum is $5 and the tip to the platform is optional (GoFundMe, how to donate). GoFundMe doesn't charge for currency conversion, though your bank may. If you're traveling, you can also pack supplies in your suitcase. The step-by-step is in how to donate from the US or abroad.

Are donations to Guatemala tax deductible?

Not to this project. Start with a Smile is a nonprofit community initiative, but it is not a registered NGO and cannot issue tax-deductible receipts. Its GoFundMe is a personal fundraiser, and GoFundMe doesn't send tax receipts for those (GoFundMe tax information).

In the US, IRS Publication 526 lists contributions to specific individuals and to foreign organizations, other than certain Canadian, Israeli and Mexican charities, among those you can't deduct. In Canada, only gifts to a qualified donee that issues an official receipt count toward the tax credit (Canada Revenue Agency).

Is it safe to donate on GoFundMe to a project in Guatemala?

GoFundMe guarantees donors a full refund if something isn't right with a fundraiser (GoFundMe Giving Guarantee), and if you have questions, it recommends messaging the organizer first through the contact button on the page (GoFundMe, donating safely).

To check the project against independent sources, read Guatemala's Prensa Libre story from October 2021 and the Guatemala.com article from December 2022. Who runs the fundraiser and what donations have paid for is in what happens to your donation.

Do I pay customs duty on donations I bring to Guatemala?

Up to a point, no. On top of your personal luggage, you can bring up to $500 in goods duty-free if they aren't for sale, you've spent at least 72 hours outside Guatemala and you haven't used the exemption in the previous 6 months (SAT). Above that, you pay whatever taxes customs assesses.

Every air traveler must file the Regional Traveler's Declaration, which is done online. Be careful with medicine: it only counts as luggage in amounts that match your own needs (SAT baggage guide), and the SAT says bringing in medicine requires the corresponding permits (SAT FAQ). Before you pack, read what not to bring to Guatemala.

Should I ship donations to Guatemala?

Usually not. A 20 lb box to Guatemala by USPS Priority Mail International costs $186.60, and a Large Flat Rate Box costs $132.05 (USPS prices effective October 4, 2026). On arrival it clears customs, where import tax is calculated on the value of what you sent, not its weight (Prensa Libre).

If you aren't traveling, a GoFundMe donation skips the postage and the customs line. If you're torn between packing and buying locally, read bring donations or buy in Guatemala.

What do the schools in Las Delicias del Jobo need right now?

School supplies, desks, shoes, recess games for the primary grades, backpacks and a computer. The biggest challenge is building a proper secondary school so more young people can keep studying. There are 7 schools, primary schools and telesecundarias (lower secondary), with more than 700 children ages 6 to 16, in Taxisco, Santa Rosa, about 90 km (56 miles) from Guatemala City. The packing list is on our How to help page.

Where do I drop off what I bring? Every handoff is arranged by message: write to us on WhatsApp at +502 5562 3313 or at amaliajarquin@gmail.com and we'll agree on how to receive it in Antigua Guatemala.

When is the best time to donate in Guatemala?

• School supplies: before classes start. In Guatemala's public schools, the 2026 school year began on February 2 (AGN).
• Christmas: the delivery has taken place every December 24 since 2014 on the road to Tecpán, so toys and packages are gathered ahead of time. See Christmas 2026.
• Money: any time. It covers what won't fit in a suitcase, like desks or the secondary school.

If you're traveling, message us with your dates and we'll coordinate your in-kind donation; if not, give on GoFundMe. More answers are on our FAQ page.