Breaking the cycle of poverty takes more than one approach. Children Incorporated has helped more than 300,000 children access education, healthcare, and basic necessities since 1964 — and there are many ways to be part of that work. Whether you want a direct relationship with a sponsored child, the flexibility of a one-time donation, or the scale of a corporate partnership, this guide covers every giving path available to you.
1. Sponsor a Child — $35/Month
Child sponsorship is the foundation of Children Incorporated’s mission.
For $35 a month, you are matched with a specific child living in poverty across one of 20 countries, including the United States. Unlike programs that distribute pre-packaged goods, Children Incorporated works through local volunteer coordinators — teachers, social workers, and community members who know each child personally. They use your monthly gift to individually source custom-fit clothing, proper shoes, school supplies, and medical care tailored to that child’s actual needs.
Sponsors receive letters from their child and annual photo updates, creating a real, lasting relationship. Roughly 10,000 children are enrolled in the sponsorship program each year.
Who this is for: Donors who want a direct, personal connection to the child they’re helping.
2. One-Time or Recurring General Donation
Not ready for a monthly sponsorship? A general donation — one-time or automatic monthly — keeps Children Incorporated’s programs running and ensures that resources can be deployed wherever the need is greatest at any given moment. These flexible funds support operational oversight, volunteer coordinator networks, and the community infrastructure that makes individual sponsorships possible.
Who this is for: Donors who want flexibility without a long-term commitment.
3. Honor and Memorial Donations
Give a gift that means something. Donations made in honor of a living friend or family member — for a birthday, anniversary, or holiday — are a meaningful alternative to a traditional present. Memorial donations celebrate the legacy of someone who has passed. Children Incorporated sends a personalized card to the honoree or their family acknowledging your tribute.
Who this is for: Donors looking for a purpose-driven gift for someone they love.
4. Host a Fundraiser
You don’t have to give alone. Children Incorporated actively supports donors who want to mobilize their own networks. Options include:
- Online birthday fundraisers on social media platforms
- School supply drives in your neighborhood or workplace
- Community walk/run events
- Charity dinners or local gatherings
Hosting a fundraiser multiplies your personal impact and introduces new donors to a cause that changes children’s lives.
Who this is for: Community organizers, teachers, local businesses, and anyone with a network ready to rally around a cause.
5. Specialized Giving Funds
If you want your gift to address a specific, immediate need, Children Incorporated manages four dedicated funds:
- Shared Hope Fund — Ensures children on the sponsorship waitlist receive basic necessities while they wait to be matched with a sponsor.
- Hope in Action Fund — Provides rapid-response emergency support — food, clothing, and medical care — for families facing natural disasters or personal crises.
- Feeding Programs Fund — Funds consistent, nutritious meals for school-aged children so hunger doesn’t become a barrier to learning.
- Higher Education Fund — Scholarships and financial aid for students pursuing college or vocational training as a path out of generational poverty.
Who this is for: Donors who want to target a specific area of need rather than give to a general fund.
6. Fund a Special Community Project
Children Incorporated partners with local communities to build and improve the environments where children learn, play, and grow. Special Project donations fund infrastructure improvements that benefit entire groups of children at once:
- Classroom construction and expansion — Building or renovating educational spaces and sanitation facilities
- Playgrounds — Safe, dedicated spaces for play, physical development, and social skills
- Community and school gardens — Teaching self-sustainability while providing a steady source of fresh food
Who this is for: Donors who want to see a tangible, community-level result from their giving.
7. Corporate Partnership
Children Incorporated’s Corporate Partnership program is designed for businesses that want meaningful, measurable corporate social responsibility (CSR) impact. Rather than sponsoring individual children, corporate partners typically fund an entire project or fully support an affiliated site — a school, orphanage, or community center. This creates a clear, direct line between your company’s investment and the outcomes it produces.
Children Incorporated works with 225 affiliated sites across 8 U.S. states, Puerto Rico, and 19 foreign countries, giving corporate partners a wide range of communities and causes to engage with.
Who this is for: Companies seeking scalable CSR impact with visible, reportable outcomes.
8. Legacy Giving and Bequests
For donors who want their impact to outlast them, legacy giving allows you to name Children Incorporated as a beneficiary in your will, trust, or life insurance policy. Your gift continues to fund education, health, and opportunity for children in need for decades to come — a lasting expression of your values.
Children Incorporated has been a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit since 1964, and contributions may be tax-deductible. Consult your tax advisor for guidance specific to your situation.
Who this is for: Donors engaged in estate planning who want their generosity to create a generational legacy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Giving to Children Incorporated
How much does it cost to sponsor a child? Child sponsorship is $35 per month. That gift is used by a local volunteer coordinator to individually purchase clothing, school supplies, and medical care for your specific child.
Is Children Incorporated a legitimate charity? Yes. Children Incorporated is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has operated since 1964. It has no religious or political affiliation and has assisted more than 300,000 children worldwide.
Can I give a one-time donation instead of a monthly commitment? Yes. One-time general donations and one-time gifts to specialized funds are both available and help Children Incorporated direct resources where they’re needed most.
What happens to children waiting for a sponsor? The Shared Hope Fund provides for children on the sponsorship waitlist so they aren’t left without support while waiting to be matched.
Can my company partner with Children Incorporated? Yes. The Corporate Partnership program allows businesses to fund entire projects or fully support an affiliated site, creating large-scale, measurable impact.
Choose Your Path
Every giving path — from a $35 monthly sponsorship to a corporate grant to a bequest in your estate plan — funds the same core mission: giving children living in poverty access to education, healthcare, and the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Explore all giving options at Children Incorporated →
***
Join Us in Making a Difference
These stories reveal just a glimpse of your support’s impact. Will you help us write the next story?
You can sponsor a child in one of three ways:
- call our office at 1-800-538-5381 and speak with one of our staff members
- email us at sponsorship@children-inc.org
- go online to our sponsorship portal and search for a child that is available for sponsorship.
Sources: https://www.thenationalliteracyinstitute.com/2024-2025-literacy-statistics?