FAQs

About Child Sponsorship

• Can I post about my sponsored child on social media?

  We know many sponsors re excited to share about their sponsored child, and this is great! It's a special relationship in your life that deserves to be celebrated. Child protection and safety is so important. If you choose to share about your sponsored child on social media or elsewhere, please withhold the child's last name, sponsorship, identification number, detailed family information or specifics about where they live. This shows respect for the child's privacy, and helps to keep them safe! For example, if your sponsored child's name was "Fatime Jallow" and she was from Brikdama, The Gambia, you could mention "fatimea" from The Gambia, but not the more specific information. Feel free to contact us with any questions you might have

• What is the difference between sponsorship funds and special gifts sent directly to my sponsored child?

  Sponsorship funds support local partner organizations with which children are enrolled and ensure that the assistance you provide is long-lasting and most appropriate to local needs. This may be helping to build or refurbish a school, training teachers or providing supplies that enable children to attend school. ChildFund may support a community clinic where children receive medical services or the training of community health workers. In consultation with the children and families of the community, local partner organizations determine which needs are most dire and use the sponsorship donations for that area accordingly.

  Special gifts are additional amounts you may choose to send which are given directly to your sponsored child and his or her family. This is money for them to use based on what is best for improving their situation whether for personal items, household furniture or farm equipment. We would love for you to include a $3.50 to help cover delivery, processing, added security and foreign currency fees. All gifts will be acknowledged and confirmed with the amount your sponsored child received. Related Question: Can I send gifts?

• What happens if my child leaves ChildFund's Programs?

  Children leave our programs for a variety of reasons, and many explanations are related to natural life changes. When your child leaves our programs, ChildFund will propose another child, of similar background, for you to sponsor. If you'd prefer to select a child yourself, please contact Sponsor Care, at 1-800-776-6767. We hope that you'll continue your generous support of children living in poverty, either through sponsorship or through other giving opportunities.

• Can I visit?

  Yes, please do! You're always welcome to come to your child's community to see firsthand how much your generosity has accomplished. Children, their families and the entire community love to meet sponsors. ChildFund staff will help you plan your trip and accompany you to your child's community.

  To begin planning your visit, call us at our toll-free number, 1-800-776-6767, at least four months in advance of your visit. We'll need to know the number of visitors who are, or will be, 18 years of age or older at the time of your visit. ChildFund's Child Protection Policy requires all adult visitors to complete and return three forms before the visit can be approved.

  We'll send you the necessary forms, along with a brochure titled Planning a Visit to Your Sponsored Child. The brochure provides answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about sponsor visits. Once we receive your completed forms, we'll contact the country office regarding your plans.

  We want your visit to your sponsored child to be a wonderful and joyous experience. Be prepared for quite a celebration when you arrive!

  Note: Child visitations are currently on hold.

• What are handling fee preferences?

  For special occasion gifts you send your sponsored child for birthdays, Christmas or other special events, we ask you to add $3.50 to the gift total to cover the costs of processing, delivering and accounting for your gifts. There is no additional donation requested for your regular monthly sponsorship contributions.

  The handling fee helps defray the cost of sending special occasion gifts, including

  • fees banks charge us to transmit funds to an international correspondent bank
  • fees for currency exchange
  • cost of translations
  • postage for the acknowledgement letters your child will send you
  • costs of providing safe and secure delivery to remote, rural areas by our staff

  If you send multiple gifts within the same calendar month, we ask for the $3.50 handling and delivery donation only once, since monetary gifts are processed monthly and these handling fees are transactional in nature.

  On the My Profile tab of your Manage Account page, you can set your preference of whether or not we automatically add the handling fee to your gift. If you choose no, then ChildFund absorbs the costs of delivering your gift. If you say yes, we appreciate your help!

• Can I send gifts to my sponsored child?

  Certainly! Children love to receive special gifts, and you can always enclose small, flat items with your cards and letters. Paper dolls, stickers, coloring or puzzle pages and picture postcards make wonderful gifts. Due to high customs duties and the likelihood of loss, we ask you not to send packages.

  You can also recognize birthdays, holidays or other special occasions and accomplishments in your child's life with a special monetary gift, which is not done within your direct correspondence with your child but through ChildFund, to ensure your child receives it safely.

  There are three ways to send a gift to your sponsored child:

  • Through your online sponsorship account
  • By including it with your sponsorship donations ― just add your gift on the Sponsorship Reply form attached to your statement
  • By calling us at 1-800-776-6767 ― our representatives will be happy to help.

  Ideally gifts for special occasions such as birthdays and holidays are sent at least two months in advance, so there is enough time for processing and delivery to ensure your sponsored child receives your gift in time for his or her special day. The best amounts are between $20 and $50.

  Please know that your child will receive 100% of the money that you send. We would love for you to include a $3.50 handling fee to help cover delivery, processing, added security and foreign currency fees.

  Monetary gifts are distributed once a month to ChildFund's national offices. Our local staff will ensure your gift is delivered to your sponsored child's family in local currency. All gifts will be acknowledged and confirmed with the amount your sponsored child received. Related question: What’s an appropriate amount of money to give to my sponsored child?

• What's an appropriate amount of money to give to my sponsored child?

  The best amounts are between $20 and $50. Please give monetary gifts online, through your sponsorship statement, or call us at 1-800-776-6767. We’ll make sure your gift is delivered safely to your sponsored child.

  Your sponsored child will receive 100 percent of the gift that you send. Please allow two months for processing and delivery. We would love for you to include a $3.50 to help cover delivery, processing, added security and foreign currency fees.

  Special considerations for Cambodia and Vietnam

  To ensure that all children feel equally supported, special gift donations for children sponsored in Vietnam and Cambodia are combined for use by the community partners to serve all of the children in ChildFund's programs. The strongly communal cultures of Vietnam and Cambodia require that all gifts be shared.

  Community members jointly organize activities and celebrations for the children using gift funds. Or community members may identify other uses for these funds, such as the purchase of books or art supplies to be shared, to bring the maximum benefit to the community's children.

• Can I set up a special gift online for my sponsored child?

  Absolutely. It’s easy to register our ChildFund account online via My Account. Once in your Online Account, Click on Give a Gift anywhere you see your child’s photo to set up your gift.

  Your donation request will be processed on the evening of the date that you have selected or the evening of the next business day. When your donation has been processed, you will be able to view the updated information on your account. Your thoughtfulness will really make a difference in the life of your sponsored child. All gifts are acknowledged 6-8 weeks after they are delivered.

  When you schedule a gift for special dates like birthdays or holidays, automated gifts are deducted two months prior to the occasion to ensure your sponsored child receives the gift on time.

• Can I phone my child or friend him on Facebook?

  We ask you not to communicate directly with your child or their family, even in the rare cases where there is cell phone access and English language skills are exceptional. ChildFund's child protection policies prevent direct contact between sponsors and sponsored children. You put your child's participation in our programs, as well as your continued ability to sponsor children, at risk by violating these policies.

• Why should I sponsor a child?

  For a child living in poverty, the future often looks bleak. But ChildFund alumni often say the knowledge that someone far away believed in them gave them courage to pursue their dreams. Sponsored children tend to achieve a higher level of education, which translates to a better chance at economic security as adults. And it's not only the sponsored child who benefits. In every community where we work, we partner with local organizations to invest in the health and education of all children. Depending on local needs, these partners provide access to safe water, build latrines, construct or improve schools, support government initiatives to immunize children and distribute bed nets to prevent malaria, conduct life-skills and leadership trainings or establish Early Childhood Development programs. When communities work to transform themselves to meet children's needs, they become places where children can thrive and achieve their potential. As a sponsor, you are part of all this. And as you communicate with your child, you have a front-row seat, no matter how far away!

• How does correspondence with my child work?

  Correspondence with your child is what distinguishes child sponsorship from other forms of aid. Your child will be delighted to hear from you and will cherish your letters. Your words of care and encouragement will make a difference! Please include photos of yourself and your family, because this can strengthen the connection between the two of you.

  Writing to your sponsored child can be easy and is always possible through the mail or via your Online Account. Simply visit Manage Account and select My Correspondence to opt-in for eLetters. You can eWrite your child via our website and replies will be delivered to you electronically. Using eLetters can cut down on the time it takes for your messages to arrive to your sponsored child and for his reply to return to you. It can also help save money on postage and processing.

  When your child writes to you, whether electronically or via the mail, you'll receive the original letter along with a translation if the child's language is not English. If your sponsored child is too young to write, a project worker or family member will help compose the letters.

  When you choose to send letters via the mail, please know that mail delivery in these parts of the world can be slow, and it might take several months for you to receive a response from your child. If you write frequently, letters can cross in the mail. Please be patient and know that your child will write back.

  Each time you write, please include your full name and your ChildFund Contact ID number on the letter. Your child's address includes their local community name, as well as the postal address of the ChildFund office in his or her country. Your child’s mailing address can be found in My Correspondence within Manage Account. Or contact our Sponsor Care team at 1-800-776-6767 and we can confirm the mailing address for you.

  In certain countries, the cost and/or unreliability of postal services requires us to bundle letters and ship them via courier service to the U.S., where they are mailed to you. Please don't be alarmed if you see a U.S. stamp and postmark on your letters.

  For the protection of both children and sponsors, ChildFund doesn't allow direct, unmonitored communication between supporters and sponsored children or families without our knowledge.

• Will I be this child’s only sponsor?

  Absolutely. The child you sponsor is yours alone, as long as you continue to contribute. Once you're matched with a child, he or she is no longer visible on our public website.

  If you selected a child online, you will also receive an email confirmation that includes a photo and a brief description of this child, normally within 24-48 hours. (The delay is due to the time necessary for processing your first donation.)

• How is my sponsorship money spent?

  ChildFund pools sponsorship contributions and uses them for community-based programs implemented by local partner organizations. ChildFund has chosen to work through local partners because we believe local ownership of change is fundamental to the social change process. Local partners are responsible for delivering the programs and services that children need at different stages of their lives, and the pooled funds allow them to serve children, families and their communities most effectively. Through these partnerships, ChildFund reaches children directly while also involving parents, teachers, local governments and larger systems in upholding children’s rights to health, nutrition, safety, education and more.

• How are these children chosen?

  In all the countries ChildFund serves, it works through local organizations. These local partners seek out the most vulnerable children in their communities ― those who are not already receiving assistance from another organization ― and then they try to saturate the area by assisting as many families as possible. To prevent discrimination or preferential treatment, our local partners post eligibility requirements publicly. And they involve the parents in the enrollment process. Parents must consent to their child's active participation in ChildFund's programs. As our local partners conduct area assessments to determine the number of vulnerable families in their communities, they evaluate potential children based on

  • economic need (defined in monetary terms, amount of possessions or access to essential services)
  • age (children must be no older than 13 at the time of enrollment)
  • proximity to the program sites (to ensure full participation in ChildFund's activities)
  • family integration into the local community (to ensure commitment and retention)
  • level of impact from HIV and AIDS, such as AIDS orphans or children of HIV+ parents

  Children cannot be discriminated against based on religion, gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, language, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age or political conviction.

• What tangible benefits does the child receive?

  Your donations provide your sponsored child with critically needed services. These vary from community to community, because we work directly with local organizations and parent committees to identify and offer the services that address the most pressing needs of that community. Typically, interventions include family-oriented projects that promote access to health care, safe water, nutrition, education and training programs. You'll learn the specifics of our work in your sponsored child's community through annual progress reports and direct communication from your child. And your child is not the only one to benefit. ChildFund combines donations from all sponsors to benefit children, their families and their communities.

• How will I know I’m helping this child?

  Your child will write to you ― and we hope you'll write back! Each year, you'll also receive a Child Progress Report from our local partner organization that works directly with your child and his or her family. Every six months, these local partner organizations check in with each enrolled child to make sure he or she is still living in the community and participating in our programs. They also check on the child’s health and education status.

  If you have questions or concerns, don't hesitate to contact our Sponsor Care team at 1-800-776-6767 ― or submit your question online and we can assist you in getting answers. Please allow 3-4 weeks for a reply, as time is needed to relay information to and from the local community and for any necessary translation, and some projects are located far from the supervising national office.

  Of course, you're always welcome to visit your child to see for yourself.

• Will I receive a bill or a reminder?

  Sponsors will receive a statement of giving based on the donation schedule selected (monthly or quarterly, and whether you are on a recurring automatic giving plan). Other monthly contributors will receive quarterly summaries of giving via email and post. Statements are typically mailed during the first week of the month and are current through the last day of the previous month. Sponsors who contribute to an additional campaign will see those donations reflected on their next sponsorship statements as well.

• How long does my sponsorship last?

  Your sponsorship of a specific child lasts as long as you maintain your contributions, the child stays in our programs and the child remains in a community served by ChildFund. Most children will graduate from our programs between the ages of 18 and 24, depending on continued program participation and education status. If a child moves away from his local community, marries or no longer participates in any educational or community programs, we may have to prematurely end the child's enrollment for sponsorship. On rare occasions, ChildFund leaves a community or country due to political or economic problems, or to a lack of appropriate local partners to administer our programs. More frequently, we can "graduate" an entire community as self-sustaining and ready to successfully continue supporting themselves. In these cases, ChildFund offers you a different child to sponsor. Related question: What happens if my child leaves ChildFund’s Programs?

• Can I email my child?

  Our national and project offices aren't equipped at this time to handle direct email to children. We make electronic correspondence easy, though, through our My Correspondence eLetters tool. Simply log on to your Online Account and select My Correspondence to opt in for electronic communications.

  eLetters sent via My Correspondence are printed and delivered to your sponsored child. A copy of your child’s reply and any translation required will be electronically posted in your Online Account and we’ll email you when it’s ready to view. 

ChildFund

• What is the ChildFund Advisory Network?

  Our ChildFund Advisory Network (CAN) is an invitation-only group of ChildFund International supporters who provide feedback through a variety of surveys and studies. Members of our panel have already offered feedback and insights to help shape the design of our annual Child Progress Reports, our new sponsor information package and our ChildWorld newsletter. They’ve even helped prioritize improvements and features for our website.

• How can we receive help from ChildFund International for our organization?

  ChildFund serves children with and through its local partner organizations. Our operations in each country are guided by a multi-year plan developed in collaboration with the communities where we work. In order for ChildFund to begin the process of serving children in new areas or through new partners, we ask that organizations first approach ChildFund’s operations in the country where they seek funding.

• ChildFund International is a part of the ChildFund Alliance. What is the function of the Alliance, and what does it mean for ChildFund International?

  The ChildFund Alliance is a network of 12 international child development organizations. ChildFund International is a founding member of the Alliance and maintains a central role in the group's work. Our participation in the ChildFund Alliance extends our global reach to 58 countries where children living in poverty need support.

  Membership in the Alliance and sharing the ChildFund name also increase opportunities for collaboration, including expanded programming and fundraising activities.

  Through our partnership with the ChildFund Alliance, ChildFund International is ultimately able to reach more children, more effectively. 

• How does ChildFund use my personal and financial information?

  ChildFund maintains the confidentiality of our donors. The information you provide is used to process your donations and to communicate directly with you regarding your sponsored child, donations and special ChildFund initiatives. We do not sell or rent our mailing list to other organizations that solicit donations or sell any products. However, in order to enhance our fundraising strategies and reduce our costs, ChildFund exchanges portions of our donor lists (name, address, and giving history) with select nonprofit organizations via membership in certain nonprofit “cooperatives”. These exchanges help us fundraise and reach new supporters. Please note that you will automatically be included in these data-sharing exchanges unless you opt out. You may, at any time, choose to opt out of sharing your information with such cooperatives by calling us at (800) 776-6767 or emailing us at questions@childfund.org with “do not share” in the subject line of the email. Please include your full name and address in your email so we can properly identify your record. In every case we will do our best to promptly respond to your request.

• I donated through the door-to-door fundraising program. How do I make a change to my donation?

  Please contact us at our Richmond, Va., headquarters at 1-800-776-6767, and ask to speak with one of our Sponsor Care associates. Be sure to mention where your conversation took place, and please provide your name, address, telephone number, the date you signed up and, most importantly, your Form Reference Number.

• If I donate through door-to-door fundraising, is my information confidential?

  Yes, all financial information is confidential. Donating through our door-to-door fundraising program is an effective way to support our mission. ChildFund and our vendors are all compliant with Payment Card Industry (PCI) regulations for financial data security and meet industry regulations related to door-to-door fundraising.

• How will I know if a door-to-door fundraiser is a legitimate ChildFund International fundraiser?

  Fundraising representatives will

  • Be properly dressed; most representatives will be wearing a green polo shirt or t-shirt with the ChildFund logo printed on the front.
  • Wear an ID badge with his or her name, ID number and photo.
  • Ask for regular, monthly gifts via direct debit or credit/debit card.
  • Will never ask for a cash donation nor accept cash.
  • If you have any questions or concerns about one of our fundraising representatives, please contact us at our Richmond, Va., headquarters at 1-800-776-6767, and ask to speak with one of our Sponsor Care associates, who will be happy to assist you.
• Does ChildFund participate in door-to-door fundraising?

  Yes, ChildFund is actively seeking monthly supporters via personal canvassing door to door. Fundraisers are recruiting monthly donors in many cities across the U.S., including, but not limited to, California, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Washington, D.C., Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania. This method of fundraising has proven to be effective in introducing people to the need to provide access to education, health care and nutrition to children living in poverty.

  This type of communication allows the chance to engage with a ChildFund International fundraiser giving in a personal, one-on-one conversation about the work we do and our giving programs. These representatives will also collect donations via direct debit or credit/debit card.

• What makes ChildFund special?

   Since our founding in 1938, the one-to-one connection of sponsor and child has fueled ChildFund's work with children living in poverty. Together, we help the hardest-to-reach children dream, achieve and contribute - wherever they are. We think this is the most important work in the world.

  Before children can achieve their potential, they must first have a childhood. So, ChildFund uses funds raised through sponsorship to help communities to transform themselves into places that support childhood ― places children are valued and protected.

  The individual and communal aspects of ChildFund's approach work together: The connections between children and sponsors support and inspire children's growth within an environment that's created with their needs in mind. Children learn to use their voices to make those needs known ... and, as they grow, to meet their own needs and those of their communities.

  And, when children take hold of their own lives and communities take ownership in their own development, the resulting changes are sustainable ― and life changing.

  It's all about relationships: sponsors with children, children with their families, families with their communities, community members with community members, communities with local and national governments, ChildFund with sponsors and children, ChildFund with its partner organizations ... all in the interests of children. Our 75 years' experience has shown us again and again how powerful relationships can be ― especially when their benefits reach children early, during their most rapid development. Childhood really is a one-time opportunity.

Donating With ChildFund

• How do I update my payment information?

  If you need to update your current credit or debit card or direct bank deduction information, you can easily do this from the My Giving tab of your online account.

  Scroll down to your Payment Information and select the Update button next to the appropriate funding source. You may then update your account information as needed. Click Update to send your request for processing.

• Can I donate through payroll deduction?

  Please contact Sponsor Care, at 1-800-776-6767, for assistance in setting up a payroll deduction. To ensure proper posting of funds, we will need your name, mailing address, ChildFund Contact ID number (found on the My Profile tab of your online account or at the top of your statement of giving) and designation of funds.

• Can my contributions be deducted automatically?

  Yes, you can set up automatic credit or debit card payments and bank drafts online or by calling Sponsor Care at 1-800-776-6767. To set automatic contributions online, visit the My Giving page of your Online Account. Scroll down to the Payment Information and use the Add Funding Source button to register your credit card or bank account. You may then Update your sponsorship donation or select Make a Payment anywhere you see a photo of your sponsored child.

• Can I pay online?

  If you plan to donate using a credit or debit card or direct bank deduction, you can donate online. You can choose either one-time-only or recurring donations or change your payment method.

  • To make a single sponsorship payment online from your Online Account, visit your My Sponsorships page or anywhere you see a photo of your sponsored child. Select Make a Payment next to your sponsorship listing. Select your banking information and frequency for payment. If the account you wish to use isn't listed in the drop-down menu, go to your My Giving page and scroll down to Payment Information to click the Add Funding Source button to enter it. 
  • To schedule a special occasion gift for your sponsored child, select Give a Gift from the My Sponsorships tab of your online account or anywhere you see a photo of your sponsored child.
  • To make a donation outside of sponsorship or direct gift to a sponsored child, select Donate at the top of any page of this website, then follow the prompts to make a donation. Your donation request will be processed on the evening of the date that you have selected (or on the next business day). When your donation has been processed, you will be able to view the updated information on our website. 
• How can I pay?

  You can use a check, money order, credit card or debit card. We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express. You can also arrange for automatic donations from checking or savings accounts. And you can choose to pay monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or annually.

• Is sponsorship tax deductible?

  Yes, your donations are tax-deductible. ChildFund International is a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

• How does ChildFund use my personal and financial information?

  ChildFund maintains the confidentiality of our donors. The information you provide is used to process your donations and to communicate directly with you regarding your sponsored child, donations and special ChildFund initiatives. We do not sell or rent our mailing list to other organizations that solicit donations or sell any products. However, in order to enhance our fundraising strategies and reduce our costs, ChildFund exchanges portions of our donor lists (name, address, and giving history) with select nonprofit organizations via membership in certain nonprofit “cooperatives”. These exchanges help us fundraise and reach new supporters. Please note that you will automatically be included in these data-sharing exchanges unless you opt out. You may, at any time, choose to opt out of sharing your information with such cooperatives by calling us at (800) 776-6767 or emailing us at questions@childfund.org with “do not share” in the subject line of the email. Please include your full name and address in your email so we can properly identify your record. In every case we will do our best to promptly respond to your request.

Sponsor Guide

• Can I post about my sponsored child on social media?

  We know many sponsors re excited to share about their sponsored child, and this is great! It's a special relationship in your life that deserves to be celebrated. Child protection and safety is so important. If you choose to share about your sponsored child on social media or elsewhere, please withhold the child's last name, sponsorship, identification number, detailed family information or specifics about where they live. This shows respect for the child's privacy, and helps to keep them safe! For example, if your sponsored child's name was "Fatime Jallow" and she was from Brikdama, The Gambia, you could mention "fatimea" from The Gambia, but not the more specific information. Feel free to contact us with any questions you might have

• What should I do if I see an error in my giving history?

  Please contact our Sponsor Care team with any questions! We’re happy to assist. Email us at questions@childfund.org, or call us at 1-800-776-6767.

• How much does my sponsorship cost?

  About a dollar a day. Sponsoring a child overseas costs $39/month, or $468/year.

• What is the difference between sponsorship funds and special gifts sent directly to my sponsored child?

  Sponsorship funds support local partner organizations with which children are enrolled and ensure that the assistance you provide is long-lasting and most appropriate to local needs. This may be helping to build or refurbish a school, training teachers or providing supplies that enable children to attend school. ChildFund may support a community clinic where children receive medical services or the training of community health workers. In consultation with the children and families of the community, local partner organizations determine which needs are most dire and use the sponsorship donations for that area accordingly.

  Special gifts are additional amounts you may choose to send which are given directly to your sponsored child and his or her family. This is money for them to use based on what is best for improving their situation whether for personal items, household furniture or farm equipment. We would love for you to include a $3.50 to help cover delivery, processing, added security and foreign currency fees. All gifts will be acknowledged and confirmed with the amount your sponsored child received. Related Question: Can I send gifts?

• What can I do in my online account?

  As a registered user, you can...

  • Access and update your account at any time
  • Make a donation or send a special gift to your sponsored child
  • View your statements and donation history
  • See your sponsored child's mailing address and birthdate
  • Find letter-writing tools and compose an electronic letter to your sponsored child, as well as receive replies
  • Sign up for email updates from ChildFund 
• Why do I see the message, “Note: your account has several pending transactions”?

  This simply means the registration process is communicating with the ChildFund database. Please allow 15 to 30 minutes before logging in again to view to your personal account. We appreciate your patience as we prepare your information for viewing.

• Why do I see an old photo of my child here?

  We currently post the first photo of your sponsored child you received when you began your sponsorship. You will continue to receive photo updates in live letters and annual progress reports from the field.

• How can I view my giving summary for tax planning?

  Annual giving totals are available in your Online Account on the My Giving tab. Simply log in to Manage Account and select My Giving. You can see your annual giving total as well as print and view an online statement from this page. View your January statement for any year to see a summary total of the previous year's giving. ChildFund International is a charitable organization and has not provided the donor any goods and services for the contributions received.

• Can I visit?

  Yes, please do! You're always welcome to come to your child's community to see firsthand how much your generosity has accomplished. Children, their families and the entire community love to meet sponsors. ChildFund staff will help you plan your trip and accompany you to your child's community.

  To begin planning your visit, call us at our toll-free number, 1-800-776-6767, at least four months in advance of your visit. We'll need to know the number of visitors who are, or will be, 18 years of age or older at the time of your visit. ChildFund's Child Protection Policy requires all adult visitors to complete and return three forms before the visit can be approved.

  We'll send you the necessary forms, along with a brochure titled Planning a Visit to Your Sponsored Child. The brochure provides answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about sponsor visits. Once we receive your completed forms, we'll contact the country office regarding your plans.

  We want your visit to your sponsored child to be a wonderful and joyous experience. Be prepared for quite a celebration when you arrive!

  Note: Child visitations are currently on hold.

• Can I phone my child or friend him on Facebook?

  We ask you not to communicate directly with your child or their family, even in the rare cases where there is cell phone access and English language skills are exceptional. ChildFund's child protection policies prevent direct contact between sponsors and sponsored children. You put your child's participation in our programs, as well as your continued ability to sponsor children, at risk by violating these policies.

• Will I be this child’s only sponsor?

  Absolutely. The child you sponsor is yours alone, as long as you continue to contribute. Once you're matched with a child, he or she is no longer visible on our public website.

  If you selected a child online, you will also receive an email confirmation that includes a photo and a brief description of this child, normally within 24-48 hours. (The delay is due to the time necessary for processing your first donation.)

• Can I pay online?

  If you plan to donate using a credit or debit card or direct bank deduction, you can donate online. You can choose either one-time-only or recurring donations or change your payment method.

  • To make a single sponsorship payment online from your Online Account, visit your My Sponsorships page or anywhere you see a photo of your sponsored child. Select Make a Payment next to your sponsorship listing. Select your banking information and frequency for payment. If the account you wish to use isn't listed in the drop-down menu, go to your My Giving page and scroll down to Payment Information to click the Add Funding Source button to enter it. 
  • To schedule a special occasion gift for your sponsored child, select Give a Gift from the My Sponsorships tab of your online account or anywhere you see a photo of your sponsored child.
  • To make a donation outside of sponsorship or direct gift to a sponsored child, select Donate at the top of any page of this website, then follow the prompts to make a donation. Your donation request will be processed on the evening of the date that you have selected (or on the next business day). When your donation has been processed, you will be able to view the updated information on our website. 
• How is my sponsorship money spent?

  ChildFund pools sponsorship contributions and uses them for community-based programs implemented by local partner organizations. ChildFund has chosen to work through local partners because we believe local ownership of change is fundamental to the social change process. Local partners are responsible for delivering the programs and services that children need at different stages of their lives, and the pooled funds allow them to serve children, families and their communities most effectively. Through these partnerships, ChildFund reaches children directly while also involving parents, teachers, local governments and larger systems in upholding children’s rights to health, nutrition, safety, education and more.

• How can I pay?

  You can use a check, money order, credit card or debit card. We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express. You can also arrange for automatic donations from checking or savings accounts. And you can choose to pay monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or annually.

• What tangible benefits does the child receive?

  Your donations provide your sponsored child with critically needed services. These vary from community to community, because we work directly with local organizations and parent committees to identify and offer the services that address the most pressing needs of that community. Typically, interventions include family-oriented projects that promote access to health care, safe water, nutrition, education and training programs. You'll learn the specifics of our work in your sponsored child's community through annual progress reports and direct communication from your child. And your child is not the only one to benefit. ChildFund combines donations from all sponsors to benefit children, their families and their communities.

• Will I receive a bill or a reminder?

  Sponsors will receive a statement of giving based on the donation schedule selected (monthly or quarterly, and whether you are on a recurring automatic giving plan). Other monthly contributors will receive quarterly summaries of giving via email and post. Statements are typically mailed during the first week of the month and are current through the last day of the previous month. Sponsors who contribute to an additional campaign will see those donations reflected on their next sponsorship statements as well.

• How long does my sponsorship last?

  Your sponsorship of a specific child lasts as long as you maintain your contributions, the child stays in our programs and the child remains in a community served by ChildFund. Most children will graduate from our programs between the ages of 18 and 24, depending on continued program participation and education status. If a child moves away from his local community, marries or no longer participates in any educational or community programs, we may have to prematurely end the child's enrollment for sponsorship. On rare occasions, ChildFund leaves a community or country due to political or economic problems, or to a lack of appropriate local partners to administer our programs. More frequently, we can "graduate" an entire community as self-sustaining and ready to successfully continue supporting themselves. In these cases, ChildFund offers you a different child to sponsor. Related question: What happens if my child leaves ChildFund’s Programs?