WHAT IS SPONSORSHIP, AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
The sponsorship relationship enables a donor to support a child by means of monthly contributions and, if the donor so desires, through the exchange of correspondence. 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 value the financial help they receive. Our current monthly sponsorship rate is $35, and it goes toward providing basic necessities, such as school supplies and fees, food, clothing, and access to healthcare, among other services.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO VISIT MY SPONSORED CHILD?
It is possible to visit sponsored children; however, since we work with a network of volunteers and sites, and circumstances vary from area to area, we cannot guarantee that all affiliated sites are open to sponsor visits. If you are interested in visiting a sponsored child, please contact us for specifics relating to the child and the location.
If your child’s affiliated site does allow visits, we ask that you contact us at least 45 days prior to your planned visit. One of our sponsorship managers will assist you in making arrangements with the affiliated site, parents, and site volunteers. Children Incorporated has forms to request the visit and a child protection policy that we ask sponsors to follow. This includes a background check at the sponsor’s expense.
HOW LONG CAN I SPONSOR A PARTICULAR CHILD?
We hope that you will assist your sponsored child until he or she leaves our program. This typically occurs when a child graduates from high school or moves out of our service area. Due to the transient state of many families and the trying circumstances of the regions where they reside, we cannot predict or guarantee how long a child will remain enrolled in the Children Incorporated sponsorship program, although we make every effort to provide services to children for as long as possible.
WHAT IF I NEED TO CANCEL MY SPONSORSHIP?
Sponsorship is not a binding agreement, and you may cancel your child sponsorship at any time. We recognize that circumstances change, and you may be unable to continue your regular contributions. We simply ask that you notify us of your decision so that we may find a new sponsor for the child you sponsor. If you would like to continue supporting Children Incorporated, there are many ways you can help that do not require a monthly contribution. Please see “Other ways to give” for more details.
WILL I RECEIVE UPDATED INFORMATION ON THE CHILD I SPONSOR?
Yes. 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 on the child’s grade level in school, hobbies, and interests.
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.
MAY I SEND PACKAGES TO THE U.S. CHILD I SPONSOR?
Yes! Sending a gift can be a great way to give your sponsored child extra help at certain times of the year or to simply let the child know you are thinking of him or her. Here are some suggested guidelines: Please send monetary gifts directly to our North Chesterfield, Virginia office, as our site coordinators are not able to process checks or cash. Packages of already-purchased items should be mailed directly to your sponsored child’s site address. We recommend using a tracking service, if possible, when shipping a package to the child you sponsor.
MAY I SEND PACKAGES TO THE INTERNATIONAL CHILD I SPONSOR?
Due to high customs duties and the likelihood of loss, we do not recommend sending packages to our sites outside of the U.S. Children Incorporated cannot guarantee receipt of any packages you send internationally.
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?
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 any pets you may have.
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 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.
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?
When a child leaves our program for any reason, our policy is to promptly notify you by mail and provide you with information on another child who is equally in need of your support and encouragement in the hopes that you will accept him or her as your new sponsored child. If, in the event that your sponsored child leaves the program, you would like for us to contact you before sending information on another child, please let us know by telephone or email.
Unfortunately, we usually lose contact with children once they leave our sponsorship program. Rest assured: the positive impact of your generosity on each child, as well as on his or her community, endures for a lifetime!
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How do I sponsor a child with Children Incorporated?
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; or go online to our sponsorship portal, create an account, and search for a child in that is available for sponsorship.