What United World Schools does
United World Schools (UWS) is a London-based charity founded in 2008. It sets up free primary schools in remote, marginalized communities where children otherwise have no school to attend. It works in Cambodia, Nepal, Myanmar and Madagascar. Founder Tim Howarth started it after a 2006 family trip to rural Cambodia, and the first school opened there in 2009.
UWS builds schools together with local communities and national education authorities. It trains teachers in methods for basic reading and arithmetic, and it involves families through school committees and girls' clubs. The charity reports more than 320 community-led schools serving over 70,000 children (figures from an April 2025 profile). Its current goal is to help children reach a minimum level of reading and numeracy, not only get them enrolled.
For US donors: UWS is a UK charity (no. 1187721), but it has a US arm, United World Schools USA Inc., a 501(c)(3) based in Montclair, New Jersey. Gifts to the US arm are tax-deductible. Charity Navigator gives it three stars, and Candid gave it a 2025 Platinum Seal of Transparency. Its Candid profile puts the cost of building a school at $35,000–$50,000.
Key facts
- Works in four countries: Cambodia, Nepal, Myanmar and Madagascar (BritishAmerican Business profile, April 2025; GuideStar)
- Has set up more than 320 community-led schools serving over 70,000 children (BritishAmerican Business, April 2025)
- Opened its first school in Cambodia in 2009, then expanded to Myanmar (2014), Nepal (2016) and Madagascar (Tropic founder interview, 2021)
- Its US arm says building a school costs $35,000–$50,000, and running one costs under $10,000 a year on average (Candid/GuideStar profile of UWS-USA)
Before you give
- US taxpayers who want a tax deduction should give to United World Schools USA Inc. (EIN 84-4415835, website uwsusaglobal.net). One route is its GlobalGiving page: https://www.globalgiving.org/donate/103576/united-world-schools-usa-inc/
- UK donors can give to the UK charity (no. 1187721) directly at uwsglobal.net.
Common questions
Is United World Schools a legitimate charity?
Tax status: UK registered charity (England & Wales no. 1187721). US donors can get a tax deduction by giving to its US arm, United World Schools USA Inc., a 501(c)(3) (EIN 84-4415835). Independent ratings — Charity Navigator: 3 of 4 stars; Candid: Platinum Seal of Transparency. As with any charity, check its latest filings before a large gift.
Are donations to United World Schools tax-deductible?
UK registered charity (England & Wales no. 1187721). US donors can get a tax deduction by giving to its US arm, United World Schools USA Inc., a 501(c)(3) (EIN 84-4415835). US donors can look for gifts routed through United World Schools USA Inc. (UWS-USA), 501(c)(3), EIN 84-4415835, Montclair, NJ.
Where does United World Schools work?
United World Schools works in Cambodia, Nepal, Myanmar, Madagascar. It is based in London, United Kingdom.
How do I donate to United World Schools?
Use the Donate button on this page — it goes straight to United World Schools's own donation page on globalgiving.org. randomcharity.com doesn't process payments, doesn't see your card details and takes no cut.
Sources
- unitedworldschools.org/
- register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5154312/contact-informa
- babinc.org/united-world-schools-transforming-education-through-governm
- tropic.com/blogs/tropic-skincare/the-founder-files-united-world-school
- newsbywire.com/united-world-schools-usa-uws-usa-launched-hands-up-for-girl
- projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/844415835
- guidestar.org/profile/84-4415835
- charitynavigator.org/ein/844415835
- globalgiving.org/donate/103576/united-world-schools-usa-inc/
Profile researched and last reviewed September 2026. Ratings and figures change — the linked evaluator pages always show the current version.