How does sponsorship work?

Why should I sponsor a child?

For a child facing extreme challenges like poverty, hunger or violence, the future often looks bleak. But ChildFund alumni often say the knowledge that someone far away believed in them gave them courage to pursue their dreams. Sponsored children tend to achieve a higher level of education, which translates to a better chance at economic security as adults. And it's not only the sponsored child who benefits. In every community where we work, we partner with local organizations to invest in the health and education of all children. Depending on local needs, these partners may provide access to safe water, build latrines, construct or improve schools, support government initiatives to immunize children and distribute bed nets to prevent malaria, conduct life-skills and leadership trainings or establish early childhood development programs. When communities work to transform themselves to meet children's needs, they become places where children can thrive and achieve their potential. As a sponsor, you are part of all this. And as you communicate with your child, you have a front-row seat, no matter how far away!

How much does sponsorship cost?

A little more than a dollar a day. Sponsoring a child overseas costs $39/month, or $468/year.

What tangible benefits does the child receive from sponsorship?

Your donations provide your sponsored child with critically needed services. These vary from community to community, because we work directly with local organizations and parent committees to identify and offer the services that address the most pressing needs of that community. Typically, interventions include family-oriented projects that promote access to health care, safe water, nutrition, education and training programs. You'll learn the specifics of our work in your sponsored child's community through annual progress reports and direct communication from your child. And remember, your child is not the only one to benefit. ChildFund combines donations from all sponsors to benefit children, their families and their communities.

Will I be this child's only sponsor?

Absolutely, as long as you continue to contribute. Once you're matched with a child, he or she is no longer visible on our public website.

If you selected a child online, you will also receive an email confirmation that includes a photo and a brief description of this child, normally within 24-48 hours. (The delay is due to the time necessary for processing your first donation.)

How are these children chosen?

In all the countries ChildFund serves, we work through local organizations. These local partners seek out the most vulnerable children in their communities ― those who are not already receiving assistance from another organization ― and then they try to saturate the area by assisting as many families as possible. To prevent discrimination or preferential treatment, our local partners post eligibility requirements publicly. And they involve parents in the enrollment process. Parents must consent to their child's active participation in ChildFund's programs. As our local partners conduct area assessments to determine the number of vulnerable families in their communities, they evaluate potential children based on ...

• economic need (defined in monetary terms, amount of possessions or access to essential services).
• age (children must be no older than 13 at the time of enrollment).
• proximity to the program sites (to ensure full participation in ChildFund's activities).
• family integration into the local community (to ensure commitment and retention).
• level of impact from HIV and AIDS, such as AIDS orphans or children of HIV+ parents.

Children cannot be discriminated against based on religion, gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, language, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age or political conviction.

How is my sponsorship donation spent?

ChildFund pools sponsorship donations and uses them to operate community-based programs implemented by our local partner organizations. ChildFund has chosen to work through local partners because we believe local ownership of change is fundamental to the social change process. Local partners are responsible for delivering the programs and services that children need at different stages of their lives, and the pooled funds allow them to serve children, families and their communities most effectively. Through these partnerships, ChildFund reaches children directly while also involving parents, teachers, local governments and larger systems in upholding children’s rights to health, nutrition, safety, education and more.

How will I know I'm helping this child?

Your sponsored child will write to you ― and we hope you'll write back! Each year, you'll also receive a Child Progress Report from our local partner organization that works directly with your child and his or her family. Every six months, these local partner organizations check in with each enrolled child to make sure he or she is still living in the community and participating in our programs. They also check on the child’s health and education status.

If you have questions or concerns, don't hesitate to contact our Supporter Care team at 1-800-776-6767 ― or submit your question online to questions@childfund.org, and we can assist you in getting answers about your sponsored child. Please allow 3-4 weeks for a reply from the country office, as time is needed to relay information to and from the local community and for any necessary translation, and some projects are located far from the supervising country office.

Can I send gifts to my sponsored child?

Children like to receive special gifts, and you can always enclose small, flat items with your cards and letters. Paper dolls, stickers, coloring or puzzle pages and picture postcards make wonderful gifts. Due to high customs duties and the likelihood of loss, we ask you not to send packages. Please note: If you sponsor a child in Ecuador, they cannot receive any physical gifts and packages.

You can also recognize birthdays, holidays or other special occasions and accomplishments in your child's life with a special monetary gift, which is not done within your direct correspondence with your child but through ChildFund, to ensure your child receives it safely.

There are three ways to send a gift to your sponsored child:

• Through your online sponsorship account
• By including it with your sponsorship donations ― just add your gift on the Sponsorship Reply form attached to your statement
• By calling us at 1-800-776-6767 ― our representatives will be happy to help.

Ideally gifts for special occasions such as birthdays and holidays are sent at least two months in advance, so there is enough time for processing and delivery to ensure your sponsored child receives your gift in time for his or her special day. The best amounts are between $20 and $50.

Please know that your child will receive 100% of the money that you send. We would love for you to include a $3.50 handling fee to help cover delivery, processing, added security and foreign currency fees.

Monetary gifts are distributed once a month to ChildFund's national offices. Our local staff will ensure your gift is delivered to your sponsored child's family in local currency. All gifts will be acknowledged and confirmed with the amount your sponsored child received.

What is the difference between sponsorship funds and special gifts sent directly to my sponsored child?

Sponsorship funds support local partner organizations with which children are enrolled and ensure that the assistance you provide is long-lasting and most appropriate to local needs. This may be helping to build or refurbish a school, training teachers or providing supplies that enable children to attend school. ChildFund may support a community clinic where children receive medical services or the training of community health workers. In consultation with the children and families of the community, local partner organizations determine which needs are most dire and use the sponsorship donations for that area accordingly.

Special gifts are additional amounts you may choose to send which are given directly to your sponsored child and his or her family. This is money for them to use based on what is best for improving their situation whether for personal items, household furniture or farm equipment. We would love for you to include a $3.50 to help cover delivery, processing, added security and foreign currency fees. All gifts will be acknowledged and confirmed with the amount your sponsored child received.

Is sponsorship tax deductible?

Yes, your donations are tax deductible. ChildFund International is a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Can I post about my sponsored child on social media?

We know many sponsors re excited to share about their sponsored child, and this is great! It's a special relationship in your life that deserves to be celebrated. Child protection and safety is so important. If you choose to share about your sponsored child on social media or elsewhere, please withhold the child's last name, sponsorship identification number, detailed family information or specifics about where they live. This shows respect for the child's privacy and helps to keep them safe! For example, if your sponsored child's name was "Fatime Jallow" and she was from Brikdama, The Gambia, you could mention "Fatima" from The Gambia, but not the more specific information. Feel free to contact us with any questions you might have.

When you send a letter through our system, our in-country staff prints it, reviews it, translates (if necessary) and delivers it to your child on their next trip to the field.

There is still some delay between sending the letter and receiving a response from your child. Your child will see the same information you saw in the preview step before sending the letter, including a photo, if you attached one. 

What happens if my sponsored child leaves ChildFund's programs?

Children leave our programs for a variety of reasons, and many explanations are related to natural life changes. When your child leaves our programs, ChildFund will propose another child, of similar background, for you to sponsor. If you'd prefer to select a child yourself, please contact our Supporter Care team at 1-800-776-6767. We hope that you'll continue your generous support of children experiencing hardship, either through sponsorship or through other giving opportunities.

How long does sponsorship last?

Your sponsorship of a specific child lasts as long as you maintain your contributions, the child stays in our programs and the child remains in a community served by ChildFund. Most children will graduate from our programs between the ages of 18 and 24, depending on continued program participation and education status. If a child moves away from his local community, marries or no longer participates in any educational or community programs, we may have to prematurely end the child's enrollment for sponsorship. On rare occasions, ChildFund leaves a community or country due to political or economic problems, or to a lack of appropriate local partners to administer our programs. More frequently, we can "graduate" an entire community as self-sustaining and ready to successfully continue supporting themselves. In these cases, ChildFund offers you a different child to sponsor.

What happens if I cannot make my monthly sponsorship payment?

Your sponsorship will stay active for up to six months after a pledged donation is not received. At this point, we will close your sponsorship and begin the process of finding a new sponsor for your sponsored child. We do have options to help you if you cannot meet your original commitment.

Why do I see an old photo of my sponsored child on my account?

We currently post the first photo of your sponsored child you received when you began your sponsorship. You will continue to receive photo updates in live letters and annual progress reports from the field.