Fact Check - Is the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Giving COVID-19 Relief Funds Through This Website?
By Nyakerario Omari
This link of a website with the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) logo has been making rounds across various Whatsapp groups. It claims to be offering COVID-19 relief funds.
Stavros Niarchos Foundation is a Greek philanthropic foundation known for its work in supporting arts and culture, education, health and sports and social welfare.
Background
According to the site circulating on WhatsApp, to get the fund, one has to answer three questions. The first is your age range.
After selecting your age range, it then directs you to the next page that requires you to select the amount of money you want to receive.
The third page then asks you to declare your employment status.
Finally, the site directs you to a page that requires you to share the link with friends and family so as to qualify for the relief fund. It further requires you to click “Get Withdrawal Code” to receive the funds.
Verification
Running this website’s domain name on WhoIs, the information available shows it was registered recently on March 24, 2021.
Comparing this information with that of Stavros Niarchos Foundation’s official website, results show, SNF’s website was registered on October 12, 1995 by the Network Solutions, LLC.
According to the SNF official website, grants are awarded only after applications have been made through the grant portal. It further adds that,
“any source outside SNF’s official website that website that may use a logo of SNF, make reference to its global COVID-19 relief initiative, or to other information related to SNF and claiming to give grant support or request information from interested applicants via other platforms is not affiliated in any way with SNF.”
So far, this foundation has had seven official announcements of COVID-19 relief funds published on its website.
Additionally, Piga Firimbi has looked into a similar website claiming to give COVID-19 relief funds.
Verdict
NO, this is not an offer for COVID-19 relief funds by Stavros Niarchos Foundation.
This story was produced by Africa Uncensored in partnership with Code for Africa with support from Deutsche Welle Akademie.
