Child sponsorship is one of the most effective ways to help a child living in poverty and it also has many rewards for the sponsor. We want to offer a comprehensive guide on why sponsoring a child has such a lasting effect on impoverished children and how you can get involved in changing a child’s life.
Introduction to Child Sponsorship
Child sponsorship involves pairing a supporting donor with a child in need. The donor (who we refer to as the sponsor) donates every month to support their sponsored children with basic needs such as food, clothing, hygiene items, and educational assistance such as tuition or school supplies.
Child sponsorship is one of the most effective ways to help end child poverty. When you sponsor a child for $35 a month, you are not only meeting the most immediate basic needs of that child, but you are also providing them with an education that will allow them to go on to higher education or obtain employment in the future.
The sponsorship relationship enables a sponsor to help support an impoverished child through monthly contributions and the exchange of correspondence with a sponsored child if the sponsor so desires. A sponsor’s friendship and encouragement are priceless to a child in such circumstances. Indeed, many children value the relationships they establish with their sponsors as much as they appreciate the financial support they receive from them. There is also an opportunity to build a relationship between a sponsor and a child that can be quite profound.
Overview of how sponsorship directly benefits children, their families, and communities.
Why Sponsor a Child?
- The long-term impact of sponsorship on a child’s education, health, and future opportunities.
- How sponsorship empowers communities by creating sustainable change.
- Testimonials or stories from sponsored children and sponsors, if possible.
First of all, I want to say thank you to the sponsors and this wonderful organization for bringing hope and life into our students and families who utilize the Children Incorporated program. We have been able to use the funds in so many ways to enhance their home lives, education, health and overall wellness this year. Because of your program, we have witnessed children who have been bullied and made fun of for their appearance thrive and feel “normal.” We know that clothing and hygiene does not make our students any less of a person, but to them, they think it does. Thank you for giving to our students and helping them to feel “normal” like their peers.
For back to school, we were able to help with back-to-school supplies, shoes, and clothing so that students will have the feeling of a fresh start like their classmates. As far as holidays and birthdays go, we were able to give food vouchers to an area grocery store for the families to be able to have a family dinner, Christmas gifts and birthday gifts along with items to make a cake together as a family for some of them. This was made possible with extra funds given that were designated for these items. When the seasons changed, we were able to gift the sponsored children with new clothing and shoes for the spring and summer months. This year we had a couple of children who wanted to be able to purchase books from our school’s bookfair and were not able to due to the lack of funds from their family. The family reached out to us, and we were able to purchase these items for them to read at school and at home just like their classmates. We also had a child who wanted to be able to participate in a sport and did not have the funds to pay the registration fee and uniform. Thanks to the wonderful sponsors, we were able to cover this for the child.
Again, we are so thankful and look forward to the excitement of helping more children this year through your program.
Sincerely,
Julie
How to Select a Charity for Child Sponsorship
For 60 years, we have been providing resources to children in need in the United States and abroad because we passionately believe that every child deserves education, hope, and opportunity. As a recognized, reputable organization, we believe in full transparency of our financial management. This protects the trust that you place in us as stewards of your generosity.
- Evaluating the Charity’s Mission and Values: Ensure the organization’s mission aligns with your values and goals for giving.
- Researching Charity Reputation: Look for reviews, ratings, and testimonials, and use resources like Charity Navigator or GuideStar.
- Financial Transparency and Accountability: Check for transparency in fund allocation and financial reports to confirm donations are used effectively.
- Understanding Program Reach and Impact: Consider the charity’s history, scope of programs, and measurable impact on communities.
- Checking for Tax-Exempt Status: Verify that the charity is recognized as a nonprofit organization eligible for tax-deductible donations.
How Sponsorship Works
- Step-by-step explanation of the sponsorship process, from signing up to receiving updates.
Our sponsorship program is managed by our staff in our office and our 300 volunteer coordinators at our affiliated sites in 20 countries around the world. Our volunteer coordinators work closely with our sponsored children to ensure their particular needs are met and relay those needs to our sponsors.
Sometimes our sponsors chose a child based on age or location, or they chose a child who has been waiting the longest for a sponsor. The decision is yours. We work in 21 countries with children from ages 5-20 years old who are enrolled in schools worldwide. We would love to work with you to match you with a sponsored child that will give you both a meaningful relationship.
Ideally, a child is sponsored throughout their school years leading up to higher education or when they leave our sponsorship program between 18 and 20 years old. However, due to the transient state of many families and the difficult circumstances of the regions where they reside, we cannot always guarantee how long a child will remain enrolled in the Children Incorporated sponsorship program. However, we make every effort to provide services to children for as long as possible.
- Details on how funds are used, such as school supplies, healthcare, clean water, and community projects.
What to Expect as a Sponsor
- Types of updates sponsors will receive (letters, photos, progress reports).
We will send you updated information and an updated photo about once a year, although the frequency may vary depending on the child’s location. The typical progress report includes information about the child’s grade level in school, hobbies, and interests.
Corresponding with your sponsored child can be a delightful experience, and we encourage letter-writing between sponsors and their sponsored children. Our project volunteers will translate your letter, if necessary, and deliver it to the child you sponsor. You are welcome to write as often as you would like.
The children enjoy learning about the lives of their sponsors. Writing about your own family (children, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, etc.…) is always a good place to start. The children also like to learn about your part of the world, what you do for a living, your hobbies and interests, and about any pets you may have.
- Opportunities for personal connection, like writing letters or sending birthday cards.
- How often sponsors can expect communication and updates from the child or the organization.
How Sponsorship Funds Are Managed
- Transparency around fund allocation: breaking down how much goes to the child’s education, healthcare, and community development.
- Assurance of financial accountability and responsible use of donations.
The Lasting Impact of Sponsorship
- Real-life success stories and examples of how sponsorship has transformed lives.
- Explanation of how community projects lead to improved infrastructure, healthcare access, and sustainable growth.
The Tax Benefits of Sponsorship
- Explanation of how sponsorship contributions can be tax-deductible.
- Information on receiving an annual donation statement for tax purposes.
- Details on eligibility for tax deductions based on location (country-specific tax deduction guidelines).
- Instructions on what documents are needed to claim the deduction, and how to access them.
How to Get Started
- Step-by-step instructions on how to become a sponsor, including choosing a child and setting up contributions.
- Different options for giving, such as monthly, annually, or one-time contributions.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Answers to common questions about commitment length, tax benefits, child privacy, and more.
- Addressing common concerns, such as security of online payments and the reliability of the organization.
How You Can Get Involved Beyond Sponsorship
- Volunteer opportunities, fundraising ideas, and ways to advocate for the charity.
- Suggestions for involving friends, family, or even workplace in supporting the charity’s mission.
Closing & Thank You
- A heartfelt thank you to sponsors for their compassion and generosity.
- Encouragement to connect with the charity if they have further questions or need assistance.