Tag Archives: best sponsorship organization

Renee Kube | May 28, 2026

The mountains of Eastern Kentucky are breathtaking. Rolling hills stretch for miles. Horses graze quietly in green pastures. The Red River Gorge draws visitors from across the country to hike towering cliffs and explore the beauty of Appalachia. But beyond the scenic overlooks and winding mountain roads, many families are quietly struggling just to get by.

Recently, our Director of US Programs, and our Assistant Director visited Wolfe County, Kentucky — one of the poorest counties in both the state and the nation. In Wolfe County, poverty rates remain staggeringly high, often reaching more than double the national average. Many families live paycheck to paycheck. Others rely on grandparents raising grandchildren on fixed Social Security incomes. Parents work hard in low-paying jobs, seasonal work, farming, or service industries, yet still struggle to afford essentials like clothing, school supplies, hygiene products, or reliable transportation. We can see firsthand how sponsorship is helping children face these challenges with dignity and confidence.

Wolfe County: “Proud as Peacocks”

In Wolfe County, poverty rates remain stuck between 28–37%, more than double the national average. Once supported by coal and logging industries, the county now relies heavily on schools, healthcare, tourism, and low-wage service jobs.

At Wolfe County High School, coordinator Connie Burks described how sponsorship helps students feel confident during some of the hardest years of adolescence. She organizes shopping trips so students can choose clothes, shoes, hygiene items, and essentials many families cannot otherwise provide. “It’s so rewarding to see the students come to school ‘proud as peacocks with their new clothes,’” Connie shared.

For many students, these experiences are completely new. Some are being raised by grandparents. Others are helping support their families while trying to stay focused on school and their future. There’s Austin, a senior accepted into a technical institute to study diesel mechanics. There’s LaDella, who worked after school jobs to help her struggling family before deciding she wanted to pursue nursing. And there’s Ricky, who visits the resource center almost daily — sometimes for a pencil, sometimes for deodorant, and sometimes simply to say hello. At Wolfe County Middle School, coordinators spoke openly about how difficult middle school years can be for children living in poverty. “Most are desperate to fly under the radar, and to fit in with their peers,” the report explains.

New clothes and shoes do more than meet physical needs. They ease embarrassment, reduce bullying, and help children feel accepted during years when fitting in feels incredibly important.

Food insecurity remains a constant concern throughout the county. While a local food pantry has helped, transportation barriers and long wait times often prevent families from accessing help consistently.

At Campton Elementary School, the Family Resource Center serves as a lifeline for struggling families. Coordinator Becky Dickey and assistant Tom Yeager maintain food supplies, hygiene items, and a clothing closet for students who may come to school without weather-appropriate clothes, properly fitting shoes, or clean outfits.

Sometimes the needs are urgent and immediate. During one visit, a student came into the resource center wearing shoes and pants that were far too small. She left excitedly carrying heart-covered leggings and sandals she had chosen herself. That moment captured the heart of sponsorship in Eastern Kentucky: meeting practical needs while also restoring dignity.

At Campton Elementary, 87% of students come from low-income families.

There’s seven-year-old Jacey, who loves horses, unicorns, and caring for chickens on her family’s small property. Her father works hard doing handyman jobs and small farming projects, but inconsistent income makes supporting six children incredibly difficult. “There are so many reasons they need a well-stocked closet,” Becky explained.

At nearby Rogers Elementary School, coordinators shared stories of grandparents raising grandchildren on small Social Security checks, families living in mobile homes, and children whose sponsorship support has become “a lifeline.”

Breathitt County: Poverty, Flood Recovery, and Resilience

In neighboring Breathitt County, many of the same struggles continue.

The county remains deeply affected by generational poverty and, more recently, by the devastating 2022 Eastern Kentucky floods. Even four years later, flood damage remains visible across the region — damaged homes, boarded windows, warped siding, and families still struggling to rebuild. At Breathitt County Junior/Senior High School, coordinator Kelli Gross described how poverty affects every part of students’ lives. “Some students are staying up all night to make sure a parent doesn’t overdose,” she explained. “Others are taking care of younger siblings late into the night.”

For some students, school simply cannot become the priority it should be because survival at home comes first. Many families rely on government assistance, low-paying retail jobs, school system employment, or nursing home work. Grandparents raising grandchildren is common here as well. Kelli shared that some middle and high school students had “never been inside a store before and didn’t know how to shop for themselves.” Through sponsorship shopping trips, students slowly gain confidence — not just in choosing clothes, but in themselves. At Jackson City School, sponsorship has become woven into the culture of the school itself.

Unlike many schools where students may feel embarrassed receiving support, coordinator Ashley Combs explained that students openly celebrate the program and talk proudly about their sponsors. Ashley described one student with an insulin pump who used to hide the tubing beneath long sleeves, even during warm weather, because he felt self-conscious about the adhesive patches on his skin. With consistent access to supplies and support, he eventually grew more confident. Recently, she saw him wearing short sleeves at school for the first time. “It felt like a small but meaningful victory,” she shared.

At Highland-Turner Elementary School, sponsorship helps children navigate the vulnerable years before transitioning into much larger schools. Coordinator Linda Oaks emphasized how meaningful sponsor relationships become for students. One student proudly shared that she named her black chicken “Smudgy” after her sponsor’s cat because she feels so connected to the family who writes to her.

Those relationships matter deeply.

Children Incorporated doesn’t simply provide clothing and supplies. It creates consistent, caring connections in places where many children desperately need stability and encouragement. At Breathitt Elementary School, coordinator Amanda Miller described how students “light up” when they hear something has arrived from their sponsor. For children being raised by grandparents or living in financially unstable homes, those moments mean more than sponsors may ever fully realize.

A Home Visit That Told the Whole Story

One of the most moving moments of the trip came during a home visit with grandparents Jack and Marilyn Fugate. Now in their late seventies and early eighties, the couple is raising four grandchildren after their daughter passed away from cancer in her thirties. Their only income comes primarily from Social Security.

Jack proudly showed staff the barn he built himself decades ago, once filled with horses he trained and showed throughout the Southeast. Dust-covered trophies still line the shelves inside. Then he walked visitors to the home he also built with his own hands. The couple spoke with deep gratitude for the support their grandchildren receive through Children Incorporated. “It was clear that the assistance makes a meaningful difference — not just in meeting basic needs, but in easing some of the daily pressure they carry.”

That sentence could summarize the entire trip.

Sponsorship is a source of hope

Across every school visit, one message remained clear: sponsorship matters deeply.

It helps children arrive at school prepared to learn. It eases pressure on caregivers already stretched thin. It provides confidence, stability, and encouragement during difficult seasons of life. In places like Wolfe County, poverty is not simply about income. It affects education, transportation, nutrition, emotional well-being, and future opportunity.

But sponsorship creates a connection powerful enough to interrupt that cycle.

Through the support of compassionate sponsors, children in Eastern Kentucky are receiving more than clothes or school supplies. They are receiving reassurance that someone believes in them, cares about their future, and wants them to succeed. And for many children, that hope can make all the difference. What they found was not a lack of love or determination among families. Instead, they witnessed the ongoing realities of generational poverty, limited opportunities, food insecurity, and the daily challenges that children face simply trying to attend school ready to learn.

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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.

SPONSOR A CHILD

Rachel Luginbuhl | April 14, 2026

At its heart, literacy is about possibility. It’s about giving a child the tools to learn, to dream, and to choose their own path forward. When we invest in literacy early, especially in underserved communities, we aren’t just teaching children how to read: we are helping them write a different future.

current literacy issues

79% of adults in the U.S. are functionally literate. That means roughly one in five adults struggle with basic reading and writing skills past a sixth grade level. That number is staggering. Literacy affects so much more than the person, it affects whole families, communities, and entire countries.

20% of Americans read below the level needed to earn a living wage.
Almost half the adults in the U.S. earn well below the poverty level because of their inability to read.
Illiteracy costs U.S. taxpayers an estimated $20 billion each year.
Across Latin America and the Caribbean, an estimated 28 million young people cannot read or write, and rural communities bear the brunt of this inequality.

Book Fairs and their impact

For many children, a book fair is a moment of excitement. Colorful displays, new stories, and the joy of choosing a book that feels like it was meant just for them. But for children growing up in underserved communities, book fairs are much more than a special event. They are a meaningful literacy intervention and, in many cases, a child’s first opportunity to truly own a book.

In communities facing persistent poverty, from rural areas of Kentucky and inner-city neighborhoods, to the Navajo Nation, New Orleans, and remote regions abroad, access to books is not guaranteed. Homes may have few, if any, age-appropriate reading materials. Libraries can be far away or under-resourced. Schools often stretch limited budgets just to meet basic needs. As a result, many children fall behind in reading not because they lack ability or motivation, but because they lack access.

This is where book fairs matter.

Research consistently shows that children who have books at home read more, develop stronger vocabulary, and build confidence as learners. Book fairs help bridge the gap between school and home by putting books directly into children’s hands, books they choose themselves, books they are excited to read, and books they can return to again and again. That sense of ownership is powerful. It transforms reading from an assignment into a personal experience.

Book fairs also play a critical role during the early years of education, when literacy development has the greatest long-term impact. Children who are not reading proficiently by third grade are significantly more likely to struggle academically in later years. In underserved communities, where educational setbacks are often compounded by economic stress, early literacy support can change the course of a child’s entire educational journey.

Beyond early childhood, book fairs reinforce the idea that reading has value: that stories matter, learning matters, and the child matters. For students who may feel overlooked or underestimated, choosing a book can be an affirming experience. It tells them that their curiosity is worth nurturing and that their education is something to invest in.

Internationally, the impact is just as meaningful. In remote areas of South America and other underserved regions, access to books can be especially limited by geography and infrastructure. Book fairs and book distribution initiatives help reach children who might otherwise have little exposure to reading materials beyond a classroom setting. Even in countries where national literacy rates appear strong, rural and indigenous communities often face hidden barriers that make access to books inconsistent or unreliable. In these settings, a single book can spark a lifelong love of reading.

What makes book fairs especially effective is how they work in partnership with broader educational support. When paired with school supplies, meals, encouragement from teachers and coordinators, and the stability that sponsorship provides, book fairs become part of a larger system that helps children stay engaged in school and continue learning despite the challenges they face.

At their core, book fairs represent something simple but profound: opportunity. They meet children where they are and give them tools to move forward. They remind students that learning can be joyful, personal, and empowering.

When we invest in book fairs, we invest in literacy, and when we invest in literacy, we invest in a child’s future. Every book placed in a child’s hands is a step toward confidence, independence, and possibility. For children in underserved communities, that step can make all the difference.

books at the dorm

Many Native American students live in such remote areas that they spend most of the academic year in dormitories. Although not all students board, these residential programs make it possible for many young people to receive the education they need and deserve. Children Incorporated, through our sponsorship program and generous donations from caring individuals, helps ensure they have the supplies they need to grow and thrive in these settings.

Over the summer, staff at Dzilth Community School in New Mexico shared a simple but powerful request: more books. Not just “educational” titles, but fun, engaging stories that spark curiosity and make kids want to read.

Our Hope in Action Fund exists for exactly this reason. With donations to this fund, we provided small bookcase libraries for the residential buildings, giving students easy access to books. These new libraries have already inspired more reading and kindled the students’ interest in learning.

vending machines

At many schools a quiet and exciting addition to resource classrooms is being delivered. Through grant funding and community sponsorship, we have several schools within our program that have been gifted book vending machines. These do not operate on money, but rather coins that are distributed to students as a reward for a myriad of positive reasons. Keeping a good grade in a subject, helping others, positive attitudes, all are joyous reasons to be rewarded with a chance to choose a book from the machine.

Besides being a fun tool, there are drastically important cognitive lessons at play with book vending machines. Besides being a healthy reward, it gives a child positive reinforcement, they allow them the control of picking their own item, as well as a chance to express themselves with the choice they make. To them, it isn’t about literacy, it is about the freedom of getting to make your own decision and being acknowledged for their hard work, which carries a tremendous weight in the positive growth of the child, especially one living in poverty.

Children Incorporated has been able to participate as well by providing funding for more books as they are needed through our Hope In Action Fund. As more and more of these book cases are installed in schools around the country we will continue to provide resources for as long as possible.

Thank you sponsors and donors!

Sponsorship provides more than just financial assistance—it offers hope, stability, and opportunity. Whether through education, healthcare, or the simple encouragement of knowing someone cares, children are growing into capable, hopeful young adults. To our sponsors: your support is the reason these opportunities exist. Thank you for walking alongside these children on their journey to a brighter future.

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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.

SPONSOR A CHILD

Sources: https://www.thenationalliteracyinstitute.com/2024-2025-literacy-statistics?

Ben Scandlen | February 28, 2026

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 →

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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.

SPONSOR A CHILD

Sources: https://www.thenationalliteracyinstitute.com/2024-2025-literacy-statistics?

Children Incorporated | January 8, 2026

Thank you for your interest in changing a child’s life, and your own, through sponsorship. Whether you’re a part of the Children Incorporated family or just beginning to explore how sponsorship works, we’re glad you’re here.

Below, you’ll find answers to some of the most common questions about becoming a sponsor. We strive to make every step simple, transparent, and authentic, so you can focus on what matters most: giving a child the chance to learn, grow, and dream.

Together, we’re building a brighter future, one child, one sponsor, and one act of kindness at a time.

What Is Sponsorship?

Sponsorship connects a caring donor with a child in need through a monthly gift of $35. Your support provides essentials such as food, clothing, school supplies, and healthcare. In addition, your act of care provides encouragement and kindness to the sponsored child.

Start Sponsoring a Child ›

Why Sponsorship Matters

In addition to financial assistance, sponsorship builds hope. Many children treasure the relationships they form with their sponsors just as much as the assistance they receive. Every letter, photo, and exchange reminds a child that they are seen and valued.

WILL I RECEIVE UPDATED INFORMATION ON THE CHILD I SPONSOR?

Yes! You’ll receive an annual update and photo of your child, along with information about their school progress, interests, and achievements. These updates let you see how your support is changing lives over time. All children will write at least one letter a year to their sponsor, but of course you are welcome to have a written communication with them anytime!

WHAT IF I HAVE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS REGARDING THE CHILD I SPONSOR?

Please call us at 1-800-538-5381 or email us at sponsorship@children-inc.org. Depending on the nature of a child-specific question, we may need to contact our volunteer coordinator at your sponsored child’s affiliated site. We will get the requested information to you as soon as possible, as long as it does not violate the child protection and privacy laws to which we adhere.

MAY I WRITE TO THE CHILD I SPONSOR?

Yes! Corresponding with your sponsored child can be a wonderful experience. Our site volunteers will translate your letter, if necessary, and deliver it to your sponsored child. You will find the affiliated site’s mailing address in your child’s information brochure.

Children Incorporated provides resources for children in need in the United States and abroad because we passionately believe that children everywhere deserve education, hope, and opportunity.

WHAT SHOULD I WRITE ABOUT?

Writing to your sponsored child can be simple, heartfelt, and fun. The most important thing is to be genuine, kind, and respectful; your sponsee will be excited to hear from you no matter how short or simple your letter is. You can find a detailed description of a guide to writing to your child here.

Can I send packages to the child I sponsor?

For U.S. children: You may send packages directly to your sponsored child’s site address. Please send monetary gifts directly to our North Chesterfield, Virginia office, as our site coordinators are not able to process checks or cash. We recommend using a tracking service, if possible, when shipping a package to the child you sponsor.

For international children: Please send monetary gifts only, as mailed packages can be delayed or lost.

You’re always welcome to send extra financial gifts for birthdays, holidays, or special needs. YOUR additional gift directly benefits your sponsored child and their community.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO VISIT MY SPONSORED CHILD?

Depending on the child’s location and local site policies, visits are sometimes possible. If you’re interested in planning a visit, please contact us for details specific to your child and their site. If the location does allow visits, reach out at least 45 days in advance so we can help with arrangements.

A member of our sponsorship team will guide you through the process. We will ensure that you can complete our visit request forms easily and we’ll make you aware of our child protection policy, which requires a background check (at the sponsor’s expense).

We’ll do everything we can to help make your visit a safe, positive, and unforgettable experience for both you and your sponsored child.

MAY I SEND ADDITIONAL GIFTS FOR MY SPONSORED CHILD (FOR BIRTHDAYS, HOLIDAYS, BEGINNING/END OF SCHOOL YEAR NEEDS, ETC.)?

Yes. Contributions beyond regular monthly sponsorship amounts are always welcome, and there are no minimum or maximum amount restrictions.

With these additional gifts, the needs of the child you sponsor will be addressed first and foremost, and any remaining funds may be shared among other children in need at the same affiliated site at the volunteer coordinator’s discretion. Children Incorporated will designate 10% of your additional contribution to cover our administrative and processing costs; this means your sponsored child and possibly other children at the same affiliated site will benefit from 90% of the total you send as an additional monetary gift.

HOW DO I PAY FOR MONTHLY SPONSORSHIP?

Sponsorship contributions may be made by check, money order, credit/debit card, or ACH transfer (debit from a checking or savings account). Please call us or visit our website if you would like to set up automatic recurring contributions on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or yearly basis.

ARE THERE DEADLINES FOR SENDING ADDITIONAL MONETARY GIFTS FOR THE CHILD I SPONSOR?

Yes. It takes time to process a gift and send it to the child you sponsor, particularly if your child lives in a foreign country. To send additional monetary gifts to your sponsored child, please ensure the gift arrives in our Richmond, Virginia office at least sixty days before the date you would like it to be received by the child.

WHAT HAPPENS IF THE CHILD I SPONSOR LEAVES THE PROGRAM?

Sometimes, children graduate or move out of program areas. If that happens, we’ll notify you immediately and share another child’s story so you can continue making a difference.

Rest assured: the positive impact of your generosity on each child, as well as on his or her community, endures for a lifetime!

What if I Need to Cancel My Sponsorship?

You can cancel your sponsorship whenever you need; you never have to worry about being locked into a long-term agreement. Sponsorship is flexible, because life and finances can change.

If you need to stop your monthly contributions:

You may cancel at any time.
Please let us know of your decision so we can find a new sponsor for the child you currently support.

Your past gifts have already made a meaningful difference in that child’s life, and we are deeply grateful for your generosity.

Other Ways to Stay Involved

If you’d like to remain connected but cannot commit to a monthly gift:

You can explore other ways to give that do not require ongoing sponsorship.

One-time donations, special project support, or other forms of involvement can still provide vital help to children and communities.

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Ready to Make a Difference?

Sponsorship changes lives, both yours and the child you choose to support. With a small monthly gift of $35, you can help provide education, nourishment, and hope where it’s needed most.

Every sponsorship begins with one simple step.

SPONSOR A CHILD

Thank you for believing in a world where every child has the opportunity to thrive.

Children Incorporated | January 7, 2026

your sponsorship is more than just financial, it is a path to changing lives

We are so excited you are considering the life changing opportunity of child sponsorship. For around the same amount as a “pizza night” you can provide clothing, food, healthcare needs, and most importantly: hope. Many children living in generational poverty see the greatest impact when they know someone out there believes in them – and that is what a sponsor provides.

Sponsoring a child with Children Incorporated is a very simple process! For $35/month the needs of a child are provided by your contribution. You can begin sponsoring 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.

Where are you able to sponsor?

We are currently in over 30 countries around the world providing life changing support to children. For a full breakdown of all of the countries we are affiliated with you can scroll and search here. We partner with already-established schools, group homes, and community centers to address the specific needs of the children they serve, offering each child basic needs every month. The wonderful part of our program is when you chose a child, you are the only person sponsoring them – they know you are their sponsor and you are able to write to them, receive letters and updates, and stay informed of their progress.

When searching for a child on our database

For each child, his or her photo (if international), name, country in which he or she lives, and birthday and age will display by default. You may view additional details about a specific child (such as his or her current grade level and favorite school subject or color) by hovering your mouse over his or her “About [Child Name]” link. Unfortunately, photos of children in the United States are not displayed on our website. This is due to the abundance of caution within our child protection policy. But rest assured, if you chose to sponsor a child in the United States, you will receive a physical photo of them with your welcome packet.

To narrow your search to a specific age range, gender, and/or country, please use the corresponding dropdown fields, located along the left side of the screen, to select your preferences and then click “SEARCH”.

Once you have found a child you’d like to sponsor, click the child’s “SPONSOR ME” button. Then, to finalize the sponsorship process, click the heart-in-cart icon within the popup window that appears OR located in the top right corner of the screen.

It is very easy to sponsor a child by going to our website, calling our office, or emailing Children Incorporated.

Lastly, if you have not already logged into or created your Children Incorporated web account, the site will prompt you to do so now. Then/otherwise, you may select your desired frequency for recurring sponsorship contributions (monthly, yearly, etc.), select or add a method of payment, and click “CHECK OUT”.

Congratulations! Once you have completed these steps, you will receive a confirmation email, and, within a few business days, you will also receive a sponsorship welcome packet containing additional details about your sponsored child or children!

DIFFERENT OPTIONS FOR GIVING

Outside of sponsoring a child, we also have other ways in which you can donate to help children in need. Donations to our special funds help children, families, and communities in need by offering support beyond sponsorship, often due to unexpected emergencies. These funds include our Clothing Fund, Back to School Fund, Mosquito Net Fund, Hope In Action Fund, and Feeding Programs Fund.

You can also donate to our Special Projects, which allow our donors to support construction projects, expansion projects, community and school gardens, and other efforts to help improve our affiliated sites around the world. Throughout the year, our volunteer coordinators inform us about Special Projects at their particular sites. You can donate directly to these Special Projects online through our Hope In Action Fund. If you would like to receive additional information about our current Special Projects to make a donation to a particular type of project, please contact us today.

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SPONSOR A CHILD

Ben Scandlen | November 28, 2025

You’ve probably seen child sponsorship programs before and wondered: does this actually work? Does my money really reach a specific child, or does it disappear into an administrative black hole?

Those are fair questions. And for Children Incorporated, the answers are yes, yes, and here’s exactly how.

For $35 a month, you’re matched with a real child — a specific boy or girl living in poverty in one of 20 countries, including the United States — and you stay connected to their life as they grow. If you’ve been looking for a way to give that feels personal and real, here are ten reasons child sponsorship with Children Incorporated might be exactly what you’re looking for.

1. Your $35 Goes Directly to One Child

This isn’t a donation that gets pooled and distributed across thousands of programs. Your monthly gift is tied to a specific child. It pays for their school uniform, their medicine, their shoes. When you sponsor a child with Children Incorporated, you know exactly whose life you’re changing — because it’s one life, not an abstraction.

2. You Watch Them Grow Up

Sponsorship isn’t a transaction. It’s a relationship that unfolds over time. Every year, Children Incorporated sends you an updated photo and a progress report on your child — their school performance, their interests, their milestones. You’ll see their face change from year to year. That’s not something most charitable giving offers you.

3. They Get What They Actually Need — Not a Generic Package

Here’s what makes Children Incorporated different from a lot of child sponsorship organizations: they don’t send identical pre-packaged boxes to every child in every country. Instead, they work through local volunteer coordinators — teachers, principals, social workers — who know your child personally. Those coordinators use your sponsorship funds to shop for your child individually, based on what that specific kid actually needs right now. The right size shoes. The specific medication their doctor prescribed. The school supplies their classroom requires. It’s personal in a way that generic aid programs simply can’t be.

4. You Become Proof That Someone Cares

For children growing up in severe poverty, one of the most painful experiences is feeling invisible — like the world doesn’t know they exist. When a child learns that someone in another city, another country, knows their name and chose them specifically, that matters in a way that goes beyond the material support. Your sponsorship tells a child: you are seen. That message is powerful, and it’s one only you can send.

5. You Help Break a Cycle That Can Last Generations

The most lasting thing Children Incorporated provides is education. And education is permanent — once a child learns to read, write, and think critically, no one can take that away from them. Your sponsorship keeps a child in school, stable, and supported through the years when it would be easiest to drop out. That investment doesn’t just change one life. It changes the lives their children will live, too.

6. Your Letters Give Them a Reason to Learn

Sponsors and children exchange letters. For a young student still building their reading and writing skills, that correspondence isn’t just heartwarming — it’s a real-world reason to practice. Local volunteer coordinators help with translation and delivery, but the motivation is yours: a child working hard on a letter because they want their sponsor to be proud of them. It’s one of the more quietly remarkable things about this program.

7. You Support the Whole Child, Not Just Their Schoolwork

True support doesn’t stop at the classroom door. Your sponsorship addresses your child’s full development — physical health through nutrition and medical care, emotional wellbeing through the consistent encouragement of having a sponsor who shows up every month, and social development by giving them the stability to simply be a kid alongside their peers. Children Incorporated thinks about the whole person, not just the test scores.

8. You Can Actually Meet Them

This one surprises people. With proper planning, a background check, and coordination through Children Incorporated’s child protection process, you can arrange an in-person visit with your sponsored child at their school or community center. Very few sponsorship organizations offer this. The experience of meeting a child whose life you’ve been part of — in person — is something sponsors describe as genuinely life-changing.

9. You’ll Feel It Working

There’s no guessing whether your money is doing anything. When a handwritten letter arrives from your child, or when the new annual photo shows a kid who looks healthier and happier than the year before, you don’t have to take anyone’s word for it. The impact is right in front of you. That kind of feedback loop is rare in charitable giving, and it’s one of the reasons sponsors tend to stay sponsors for years.

10. One Child’s Success Ripples Outward

When a child grows up supported, educated, and believing in their own potential, they don’t just improve their own life — they go on to uplift their families, contribute to their communities, and often become the kind of adults who help other children. Your $35 a month isn’t just an investment in one kid. It’s a small bet on a better world, placed one child at a time.

Frequently Asked Questions About Child Sponsorship

How does child sponsorship work at Children Incorporated? You’re matched with a specific child living in poverty. Your $35 monthly gift is used by a local volunteer coordinator to individually purchase clothing, school supplies, healthcare, and other necessities tailored to that child’s needs. You exchange letters and receive annual photo updates throughout the relationship.

Is $35 a month enough to make a real difference? Yes. Because Children Incorporated works through existing local networks and volunteer coordinators rather than building separate infrastructure, your monthly gift goes directly toward your child’s needs with minimal overhead.

Can I choose the child I sponsor? Yes. You can browse children available for sponsorship on the Children Incorporated website and choose a specific child to support.

What countries does Children Incorporated work in? Children Incorporated operates across 20 countries, including the United States, working with 225 affiliated sites in 8 U.S. states, Puerto Rico, and 19 foreign countries.

Can I visit my sponsored child? Yes, with proper planning and a background check, Children Incorporated will work with you to arrange an in-person visit at your child’s affiliated school or community center.

Is Children Incorporated a reputable charity? Children Incorporated is an independent, nonreligious, nonpolitical 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has operated since 1964 and has assisted more than 300,000 children worldwide.

Ready to Meet Your Child?

Thousands of children are waiting for a sponsor right now. Browse the children currently available and find the one you’d like to support — then begin a relationship that will matter to both of you for years to come.

Find a child to sponsor at Children Incorporated →