PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING BEFORE EMAILING US ~ THANK YOU!

We are a small, mostly-volunteer organization, and we spend precious resources every day answering questions about how to Pay It Forward, apply for a Grant, make a donation to the Foundation, contact the author, and more.

We kindly, yet emphatically, request that before you contact us, you please read the following FAQ to see if your question is answered here.  If after reviewing these answers you still have a question, please email us.  We would love to hear from you!

How Can I Pay It Forward?
The premise of the novel “Pay It Forward” is one that any person can implement in his or her own life, at any time.  It begins with doing a favor for another person ~ without any expectation of being paid back.  Indeed one would request that the recipient of that favor do the same for someone else ~ ideally, for three other people.  The unconditional favors can be large or small.  As 12-year-old Trevor observes in the novel:  it doesn't have to be a big thing.  It can just seem that way, depending on whom you do it for. Both to inspire and to educate, the Pay It Forward Foundation posts projects, activities and stories to this website and to the Pay It Forward Movement website.  There’s really no end to what you can do when you set your mind to Pay It Forward!

Could You Send Me Some Ideas on How We Can Pay It Forward?
We’d rather send you to the web sites mentioned above.  When you read the stories of what others have done, we think you’ll find your own ideas flowing. 

Is the Phrase “Pay It Forward” Protected by Copyright?
The Pay It Forward Foundation does not "own" the phrase "Pay It Forward," nor the idea; we encourage all who want to promote the concept of paying it forward to do so.  "Pay It Forward" the movie and the movie website are the property of Warner Bros., not the Pay It Forward Foundation.  We do not have the authority to grant permission for use of any clips or materials from those sources. We urge anyone wishing to use the phrase commercially to check with the studio.

Are Donations to the Pay It Forward Foundation Tax Deductible?
Yes!  The Pay It Forward Foundation is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit public benefit organization.  Tax deductible donations can be made online or by sending a check or money order to The Pay It Forward Foundation, P.O. Box 552, Cambria, CA 93428.  We are happy to send a donation acknowledgement for tax purposes upon receipt.

Are the Bracelets Free?  What if I Want a Larger Number?  What About the Cost of Shipping?
Yes, the bracelets are free.  Period.  We even pay to ship them to you.  We enclose a donation envelope with your shipment.  If you choose to make a donation to help offset the cost of this free service and to enable us to provide these materials to others, it is always appreciated.  But it is not mandatory.

How Do I Order the Pay It Forward Bracelets?
Please go to the link on this site for our “Bracelets” page, or click here.

What Other Promotional Items do You Have Besides the Bracelets?
Our Pay It Forward Bumper Stickers are also free!  Click here for more information. Our Pay It Forward Bumper Stickers are also free!  Click here for more information.  And click here for a file of free printable Pay It Forward cards and stickers.

How Can I Post My Pay It Forward Story?  
We no longer post individual stories on our Pay It Forward Movement site.  Instead we encourage people to visit our blog site at:  www.payitforwardtoday.net .  If you are involved in a large project in your community, please write to us here at the Foundation and let us know!

Do You Accept Grant Applications From Outside the United States?
At the present time, we are sorry to say that, although we are happy to send materials to, and post stories about, Pay It Forward projects all over the world, our grant funding is limited to the U.S. and Canada.  We are only set up to offer grants to tax-exempt entities such as schools, church groups and 501©3 charities, and we simply have no realistic way of verifying the tax-free status of groups across the globe. We hope we can offer you other kinds of support.  Please contact us!

How Do We Apply for a Pay It Forward Foundation Grant?
See Grants.

Where Do I Get a Grant Application?
Click here.

Is there a rated “G” version of the Pay It Forward movie?
Not that we know of.  But we know very little about the movie, and cannot answer questions about it.  We are a foundation inspired by the novel, and the book and movie are farther apart, in both business and creative aspects, than you probably imagine.

Is There an Edited Version of the Pay It Forward Novel?
Not in published form.  That would be censorship, which we do not promote.  However, we are well aware that the book is not suitable for children of all ages, and that’s why we offer free, downloadable, age-appropriate excerpts from the novel on this site.  Click here to access them.
We are also pleased to announce our plans for the first book to be published by the Pay It Forward Foundation Press, a book of Pay It Forward stories written by kids, for kids.  We hope this will help by providing a book that can be used in the classroom for children of a much younger age.

What Age Group is the Pay It Forward Novel Appropriate For?
Pay It Forward was chosen by the American Library Association for its Best Books for Young Adults list.  That means that the ALA recommends it for kids 12-18.  Some may feel the book is not appropriate for a 12-year-old, however, so the discretion of an educator and/or parent is advised.

Can Catherine Ryan Hyde Come to Speak at our  Event or to Our Group?
The founder of the Pay It Forward  Foundation and author of the novel “Pay It Forward” (and ten other novels  for adults and young adults) is cutting back severely on speaking and travel,  because of her extremely active calendar of book publications.  But we  have several other wonderful possibilities!

Renee Rongen and Trey Malicoat, our wonderful inspirational public speakers and  members of our Board of Directors, are available on a limited basis to make  appearances and presentations on behalf of the Pay It Forward  Foundation, and Anna Unkovich, our Educational Director, is often  available to speak at schools.  If you are interested in possibly hosting  such a visit, please let us know the details, including the nature and date of  the event, number of people participating (especially young people), what you  require of a speaker, and costs you are able to cover, including travel,  accommodations and speaking honorarium.

There is also the possibility  of a video-conference event with Catherine Ryan Hyde.  Please let us know  of your specific needs.  The more notice you can give us for such  requests, the more likely it is that we can accommodate them!

Would it be Possible to Speak With Catherine Ryan Hyde Directly?
As you can imagine, Ms. Hyde maintains a full writing and speaking schedule, particularly with several new books being published and/or in the works.  If your request concerns Foundation activities, a potential speaking engagement or other such request, you may email it to the Foundation.  If you have direct comments you want to share with Ms. Hyde, you may contact her by email at the address provided on her web site, www.cryanhyde.com.

Is There a Video Available Explaining the Pay It Forward Movement?
It is possible to receive a short video addressing your school directly.  Again, the more notice you can give us for such requests, the more likely it is that we can accommodate them.