What is sponsorship?
When you sponsor a child, you are the key that provides that child an education, along with the basic needs of food, clothing, healthcare and shelter. Sponsorship is NOT adoption. Most of our children in the CI program have parents or guardians, who for different reasons are unable to adequately provide their children with these needs. By becoming a sponsor, you are affording your sponsored child opportunities that may never exist, otherwise.
Sponsorship is not a one-sided experience. Most of our sponsors agree that assisting a child provides the sponsor with a deep sense of satisfaction resulting from the commitment to make a difference in a child’s life.
How long can I sponsor a particular child?
It is our wish at CI that your sponsorship of a child continues until he or she graduates or leaves the program. However, at times some of our children and their families will move in search of better employment opportunities. Should the family, out of necessity, relocate and enroll their child in a school not affiliated with our program, we then select a new child from our rolls as a substitution. It is our sincere hope that you would accept the new child and continue your kind support.
Is a sponsorship for a specific length of time?
A sponsorship may be continued for as many years as a sponsor wishes. However, because life holds so many uncertainties a sponsor may cancel a sponsorship at any time. We simply ask that you notify us of your decision so that we may find a new sponsor for your child.
What happens to a child when a sponsor discontinues the sponsorship?
CI tries to find another sponsor for the child as soon as possible.
Are all CI children orphans?
Some are orphans. Some are abandoned children. Some have one parent. Some have both parents who, because of illness or misfortune, cannot support their families. CI's concern is to help as many needy children as possible, whether or not they are orphans.
Will I receive progress reports on my child?
Yes, you will receive updated information about your sponsored child every other year. The usual information included in such reports is: performance in school, special interests and hobbies, new talents, and a health update, including living conditions and any immediate needs.
Where does my $28 gift go?
Of the $28 monthly donation, $16 goes directly to the project for your child, $3.50 goes to administration, and $8.50 to project-related emergencies, advertising, and fundraising. Of the total money received by CI, 81.9% goes to child program services.
Will I receive a bill each month?
We do not send you a bill or statement. Instead, when you make a contribution you will receive a receipt with attached payment coupon and envelope that may be used for your next contribution. If you choose to make quarterly, semi-annual, or annual contributions, a reminder will be sent to you when your next sponsorship donation is due. You may also opt to have us automatically charge your contribution to your American Express, Visa, or Mastercard. Please contact our office at 800-538-5381 or email sponsorship@children-inc.org for more information about this plan.
Does my gift qualify for a tax deduction?
Yes. Children, Incorporated has been a registered 501(c)3 charitable organization since 1964. All gifts and donations made to Children, Incorporated are U.S. tax deductible.
Does CI qualify for a Matching Gifts Program?
Yes, and corporate matching gifts are greatly appreciated! Your company may be one of many that matches gifts made by employees to nonprofit organizations such as ours. Please contact your Human Resource Department to see if they have such a plan. Just let us know and we will process the forms to double your support through your company’s Matching Gift Program.
How do I send money gifts for birthdays, holidays, etc., over and above usual monthly donations?
Additional money gifts (Designated Funds), whether they are check, money order, or credit card, should be sent to our Richmond, VA headquarters. The full amount of money will then be forwarded on to the volunteer project coordinator for your child, where they will purchase or assist with purchasing the gift(s) according to your instructions. To avoid lost or stolen cash, please send money gifts to our Richmond, VA office, so we may provide you with a receipt and ensure that your child receives the gift.
To send a Designated Funds gift to your child, please make sure the gift arrives in our Richmond, VA office NO LATER THAN:
- Christmas: October 10th.
- Summer vacation: March 10th
- Birthdays: two months prior to the child’s birthday
How can I provide for my sponsored child's future?
You may want to consider our “Trust and Education Fund” (We refer to it as the T&E Fund). This is a means of setting aside money for your child’s future use, especially higher education, special training, graduation, and/or personal expenses upon leaving the project. Unlike some trust funds, the money in this account can be transferred if your present child leaves our program, for any reason, and you accept the assignment of another child. Or, you may want to consider our Planned Giving options which can ensure the futures of the children and Children, Incorporated, while at the same time offer you and your family multiple tax benefits. To inquire more about the T&E Fund, or Planned Giving, please contact our Richmond, VA office and we will be glad to forward the information to you.
How else can I provide for my sponsored child?
As you can imagine, there are always urgent needs to be met, and a donation to the Children, Incorporated General Fund can help us do this. The General Fund makes it possible for Children, Incorporated to provide assistance to your child, and other children, who have special medical or educational needs. Through our General Fund, we are also able to help with the repair and maintenance of the buildings and equipment at our affiliated projects and provide assistance in the event of natural disasters.
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Can I send packages to my U.S. child?
Should you desire to send packages to your sponsored child, we suggest the following guidelines: Please ensure all packages are mailed to your sponsored child’s school address.
1. If possible, please use UPS (United Parcel Service) or FedEx for the best tracking service. In some locations, the US Postal Service does not have a regular post office, so the US mail is handled by individuals, not US postal employees. Packages sent via US mail are delivered inconsistently and have been harder to track once they enter the reservation.
2. Please enclose a “packing list” itemizing and showing the cost of items sent for your child. This will not only assist our volunteer coordinators in expediting the process, but will also provide a more accurate cost of your kind gift for income tax purposes.
3. Should you wish to send a Christmas gift, please mail packages to the school address no later than mid-November.
4. For summer gifts, please mail your packages no later than April 15th as most schools close by mid-May. This will allow the project coordinators time to sort and deliver all packages.
Can I send packages to my Foreign or Latin American child?
Due to high customs duties and the likelihood of loss, please do not send any packages. There is absolutely no guarantee that your sponsored child will receive such packages. Likewise, we ask that you not send money directly to your sponsored child, as money sent directly also risks being stolen or lost en route. Please send any money through our Richmond, VA office. We will forward the funds to the project coordinator to provide for your sponsored child’s needs, according to your instructions, and issue you a receipt that may be used for tax purposes.
How do I write to my sponsored child?
Corresponding with your sponsored child can be a delightful experience. Please remember, though, that our organization is not designed to be a “pen-pal” program. Within the brochure about your sponsored child is your child’s correspondence address. Our volunteer project coordinators will translate your letters, if necessary, and deliver them to your sponsored child. When your sponsored child writes to you, the letters are translated (if needed) at the projects. They are sent to the Richmond, VA office and forwarded on to you. If your child is too young to write, or is handicapped, either a project coordinator, or a parent will write or assist with the letter. Please note that mail service in remote areas can be slow. It can take up to 6 weeks (if a U.S. child) and 12 weeks (if a Foreign or Latin American child) to complete the letter exchange for overseas projects.
Do children write to their sponsors?
Yes, but the first letter must be written by the sponsor, as some sponsors prefer not to carry on a correspondence. For those who do wish to write to and hear from their children, there is nothing more rewarding than exchanging letters and cards. If a child is too young to write, a teacher or housemother will write for him and letters to and from children in foreign countries are translated. The originals of the children's letters are sent, along with the English translation, to the sponsors.
What contact is allowed with the projects?
In the United States, our program is administered through the public schools. If you must call the school directly, please keep your conversation to a minimum, as many of our coordinators are school employees. Should you have questions or concerns regarding your sponsored child, it is best that you contact the Richmond office (via email, phone, fax, or mail).
Due to the remoteness of many of our Foreign and Latin American projects, phones and email are not an option. You are welcome, at any time, to write the coordinators personally, using the address provided in your assignment brochure. You may also feel free to contact the Richmond, VA office (via mail, phone, fax, or email).
Is it possible to visit my sponsored child?
Yes! All of our projects, US, Foreign, and Latin American, welcome visits by sponsors who want to see their children in person. Such visits are experiences of a lifetime for child and sponsor, alike. We do ask that you first coordinate your plans for a visit through our Richmond office. In this way, the Division Director will be able to assist you in making arrangements with the project, parents, and volunteer coordinator.
Due to this age of heightened concern over school violence, child kidnappings, and terrorism, the US schools insist on stringent security. Therefore, please keep in mind that any sponsor who shows up unannounced may be denied a visit.
What other helpful suggestions might I consider before visiting my child?
Please be aware that each child’s personality differs. If your sponsored child seems shy or timid, then temper your approach accordingly. On the other hand, if the child is outgoing, then feel free to respond appropriately. If your sponsored child is from a country other than the U.S., please remember he, or she, may have customs and traditions different from your own. We simply ask that you respect the child’s culture and way of life. Understanding your child’s history should make your visit an uplifting experience for both of you.
Where can I find your Form 990?
Where can I find a summary of your latest financial statement (Allocation of Funds)?
Where can I find your latest financial statement in its entirety?
Is Children, Incorporated connected with other welfare agencies or churches?
Children, Incorporated is not affiliated with any other organization, but we work with churches, schools and welfare centers, assisting children of all races and creeds.