Connect with Your Child

Send a letter or email to your sponsored child

WRITE TO YOUR CHILD

Connect with Your Child

Send a letter or email to your sponsored child

WRITE TO YOUR CHILD

Sponsorship FAQ

Find answers to common questions about your child sponsorship

Q: How does child sponsorship through Children of Promise work?

Child sponsorship through Children of Promise is directed and run by local leaders in the countries where the children live. Children of Promise’s local leaders in more than 30 countries around the world identify children in their communities who would benefit from child sponsorship. The leaders build relationships with the children and their families and understand the unique needs of each child. As a part of Children of Promise, these local leaders are connected to a global network of other leaders, sponsors and donors, who can help provide the specific resources each child needs. The local leaders help ensure the support that goes to sponsored children addresses their greatest areas of need and makes the biggest possible impact in their lives.

Q: How is the money from my monthly sponsorship used?

At Children of Promise, we work to ensure as much of your monthly donation as possible goes directly toward supporting sponsored children. Here is what that looks like for a sponsorship of $32 per month:

20% goes toward global administrative costs. This is $6.40 for a $32 per month sponsorship.
The balance ($26.50) is sent to the national Children of Promise ministry in your sponsored child’s country. No more than 10% ($2.56 per child per month) may be used for office supplies, photography, public transportation, bank fees, postage, and other expenses to run the ministry.
The majority of the donation ($23.94-26.50 monthly) goes toward purchasing food, school uniforms, school fees and supplies, health care, and medicine. Christian education and activities are led by teachers and volunteers in local Church of God congregations
The national leaders of Children of Promise in each country are responsible for distributing funds to site committees that purchase items for children. No money is given to a child or a parent directly.

Q: How often will I hear from my sponsored child?

You will receive at least two letters and a new photo* each year from your child. The country director determines the dates the children will write and send letters. If you are a new sponsor and it takes a little while to hear from your child, just be patient. It may take several months for a letter from your newly sponsored child to arrive from their country.

*The global pandemic has made it increasingly difficult for our directors around the world to collect letters and photos of your sponsored children. We are working closely with them to keep you updated, but please be patient as we are limited by the far reaching effects of the virus.

Q: Can I write to my sponsored child?

Of course! Your sponsored child would love to hear from you and get to know you better, and we encourage you to write to him or her. Feel free to share about your family, church, work, hobbies and interests. Make sure you also let them know you want to be their friend and will be praying for them.

It’s easy to write to your child online.

Q: Can I communicate with my sponsored child through social media?

DO NOT communicate with your child via social media. This includes FaceBook, Twitter, Instagram, and WhatsApp, among other services. This is for your protection and also for the protection of the child.

Q: Can I send a gift to my sponsored child?

If you want to provide a gift for your sponsored child’s birthday or Christmas, you can make a monetary donation toward gift funds for birthdays and Christmas here. 100% of the amount you donate toward gift funds will go directly into the funds. Your gift will be combined with the gifts of other sponsors and divided equally among all the sponsored children globally twice a year.

If you wish to give a special gift in addition to birthday and Christmas, any monetary donation you give will be divided equally among the children at your child’s specific site.

Q: Is it possible to visit my sponsored child?

Yes! Trips are regularly organized to visit and serve the local leaders and sponsored children around the world. Sponsors who go on these trips have the opportunity to meet their sponsored children. Find out more about how you can travel with us here.

Q: How long does a sponsorship last?

As long as a child meets the requirements of the program, their sponsorship will continue until they complete secondary school.

Through the years, you will see your sponsored child learn and grow in their relationship with Jesus. As you also grow in your relationship with Jesus, both you and your sponsored child have the amazing opportunity to become more whole through God’s love and experience the journey together.

Q: What happens when my sponsored child graduates or leaves the program?

Sponsored children remain in the Children of Promise program until they have finished secondary school (high school). Depending on when children are able to begin primary school, they may be older than typical high school age when they complete their high school education. Some students have an opportunity to complete vocational training as a part of their secondary education.

Upon completion of secondary school, some students may wish to further their education in the university setting or other training programs. We do not guarantee that those children will be assisted with the costs associated with their post-secondary plans, but some sponsors wish to continue providing financial assistance beyond high school. If the country director is able and willing to administer those additional educational funds, we are willing to continue to send them on behalf of the sponsor but those students are no longer part of the regular Children of Promise sponsorship program.

There is no expectation for sponsors to continue supporting those students beyond high school. We do our best to send a letter to sponsors a few months prior to their child’s graduation in anticipation of the completion of their child’s time in the Children of Promise program.

Q: What if I need to end my sponsorship?

We understand that circumstances may arise where you have to end your sponsorship. If this is the case, please give us three-month notice so we are able to find a new sponsor for your child and ensure they have the ongoing support they need.

Q: Are there other ways I can support Children of Promise in addition to sponsoring a child?

There are several ways you can support Children of Promise in addition to your child sponsorship. You can make a one-time contribution, provide regular support for a ministry in a country that works with many local children (like a day care), set up an endowment or make a memorial contribution, or even offer to serve on a trip. Find out more

Q: Is there a way to set up automatic payments for my monthly sponsorship?

You can set up recurring payments through Automatic Bank Withdrawal (ACH), your Debit or Credit Card, or Bank Bill Pay. Because ACH helps us save on costs associated with bank fees, labor, paper and postage, it is the most efficient and preferred way to make your monthly donation.

Q: Is my monthly sponsorship tax deductible?

Yes, donations are tax deductible in the United States. Children of Promise is a registered 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization. Each time you make a donation for sponsorship, you will get a receipt. The receipt states the time period that your donation covers.

Your Monthly Sponsorship at Work

The program directors in each country have flexibility to decide how to allocate the remaining funds. For example, if education costs in their country are inexpensive, they can use a smaller percentage toward education and have more funds available for nutrition or health care.
This gives program directors the freedom to distribute resources in the way that works best in their countries and helps them meet the unique needs of the children in their care.

Make Your Monthly Payment

You can pay your monthly donation in one of these ways:

Automatic Bank Withdrawal (ACH) – This sets up a recurring payment from your checking account. Because this method saves bank fees, labor, paper and postage costs, it’s the most efficient and preferred way to make your donation.
Debit Card or Credit Card Payment – Make a one-time payment or set up a recurring payment. Please keep in mind that Children of Promise will be charged transaction fees for debit card and credit card payments so setting up a recurring payment with ACH helps us keep our costs down.
Personal Check or Money Order – Make your check out to Children of Promise and mail it to: Children of Promise
PO Box 2316, Anderson, IN 46018
Bank Bill Pay – Contact your bank to set up bank bill pay.

Children of Promise is a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (EFCA). This stamp of approval is the result of procedural and financial scrutiny and indicates integrity in ministry activities. An annual audit is conducted according to national accounting standards by an independent accounting firm. The audit report is submitted to the Children of Promise Board of Directors and ECFA.