Making a difference, through being different: The promise of UCOF

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BY: Jamil Khan

Logo of United Colors Of Fashion (UCOF)

JOHANNESBURG –United Colors Of Fashion (UCOF) was founded three years ago with a dream to improve lives and a bold promise that all money raised for UCOF’s programs would be used solely for that purpose. How does this make UCOF special, you ask? You thought that’s how all charities operate, didn’t you? Well not exactly.

Let’s look at the unique qualities that make UCOF one of the most remarkable non-profit organizations around:

1. All donations are 100% tax deductible

This means that when you file your income tax return, you may claim the amount you donated back from the government. UCOF is a 501 (c)(3) organization from which you will receive a letter stating that you’ve donated to UCOF and you are eligible for a full refund on that amount. The beauty of it is, that nobody but the charity receives any portion of the money you donate.

2. UCOF ensures that 100% of your donation reaches the beneficiaries

Sponsors, private donors and the board of directors cover the daily operating costs of UCOF. Nobody that works for UCOF gets paid and all work is completely voluntary which makes it unique already, as other non-profit organizations have paid staff. The Fashion Education Program is also unique as it is offered free of charge to under-resourced youth of New York. The only reward we receive is the knowledge that we are making a difference to the life of someone, who is less fortunate than we are.

3. Our work is completely transparent

UCOF proves everything it does through pictures and video. We document and post every initiative on our website, Facebook and Twitter. Interviews, surveys and stories are up for all to see, share and comment on, hence the work we do is completely transparent and public. All questions about the work UCOF does can be answered through these forms of media.

4. A diverse compliment of staff

Our staff is made up of people from all walks of life, which selflessly volunteer their time and expertise to the humble cause of UCOF.
A group of Wall Street bankers, investment and insurance executives, designers, writers, teachers, producers and artists make up the exuberant staff of UCOF. This leaves your donation in the hands of only the best team.
Last year, Jan Malan, our official show producer came from South Africa to produce our annual gala free of charge. This is the extent of the generosity of our staff.

Despite having a full time job as an Account Executive for a Retirement and Global Asset firm, Ciano Clerjuste, founding partner, president and chairman of UCOF still dedicates in excess of 30 hours per week to UCOF.

Clearly loving what he does, Clerjuste says: “My most rewarding gifts and fragments of my journey on earth right now are knowing that l am able to use my talents, valuable time, expertise and fashion for humanitarian causes. The best part of all this is, in return, l do not get any tangible compensation, whereas making that huge difference in someone’s life is mesmerizing, remunerating, and enchanting.”

UCOF is a charity in every sense of the word. We have a mission of raising $1 million this year and in order to keep our promise of using the donations wholly for our Fashion education Program and Charity Care Program we need investment.
Our board of Fashion Angels is made up of individuals that donate on a monthly or annual basis to pay for our operating costs. These are the people that make keeping our promise possible and we are inexplicably grateful for them.

If you would like to join the board of Fashion Angels please contact:

Juan Torres, Executive Assistant to the President/Communication Manager,

E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 917-266-4171

Jamil Khan is a Psychology graduate from Stellenbosch University with a keen interest in fashion, social upliftment and research. He is a United Colors Of Fashion press intern, based in Johannesburg, South Africa.