The sponsorship experience changes lives. Although sponsors often express they receive more from the experience than they give, becoming a sponsored child can fundamentally alter a child’s life trajectory.
Though all child sponsorship charities can work to benefit children, there are many distinctions between them. And choosing the best child sponsorship program for you - one that aligns with your own values as well as one that is proven efficient and effective at ending poverty for the child - is an important decision.
We invite you to explore more about Children International and our collective mission of bringing people together to end poverty for good. We hope the information below helps you decide on the best child sponsorship organization for you to partner with.
There are key similarities and differences to consider when researching child sponsorship charities, such as:
Organizations that focus on individual child sponsorship foster a direct, personal connection between sponsor and child. This model often involves regular communication, such as letters and photos. The primary benefits of this approach include providing the child with access to education, healthcare, and nutrition, which are crucial for their development and future success.
Charities that adopt a community development approach focus on improving the overall conditions of the community where the children live, such as providing clean water or emergency relief after natural disasters. This approach ensures that the benefits of sponsorship are not limited to individual children but extend to their families and the entire community.
Thank you for considering child sponsorship - an effective, efficient and proven way to bring real and lasting changes to the life of a needy child and their family.
When selecting a child sponsorship organization, it's important to consider the following factors to ensure alignment with your personal values and preferences:
By carefully considering these factors, you can choose a child sponsorship organization that truly resonates with your values and goals, ensuring a meaningful and rewarding experience.
| Child Sponsorship Program Features | Children International | ChildFund | Compassion | Food for the Hungry | PLAN USA | Unbound | World Vision |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1936 |
1938 |
1952 |
1971 |
1937 |
1981 |
1950 |
|
|
Monthly sponsorship amount |
$39 |
$39 |
$43 |
$38 |
$39 |
$40 |
$39 |
|
% of funds used for program support |
83 |
78.6 |
80.7 |
80 |
74 |
90.2 |
89 |
|
Community or direct child-focused support |
Child |
Community |
Child |
Community |
Community |
Child |
Community |
|
Receives government funding |
No |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
|
Religious affiliation |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Operates dedicated community centers |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Provides regular medical care and checkups |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Provides empowerment and emotional wellness programs |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Has a U.S. program |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Can view current and past photos of children online |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*Sponsorship price and % updated February 2025 based on information found on the English US websites or, if unavailable, on Charity Navigator.
Children International's hybrid approach to child sponsorship not only transforms individual children's lives through personalized support and education, but also focuses on empowering families and entire communities by providing vital resources, health care, life skills, economic opportunities and much more. This comprehensive strategy ensures lasting change and a brighter future for generations to come.
Our organization carries out many of its transformative programs through dedicated centers rooted in the hearts of the communities we serve. These safe havens serve both younger and older sponsored children, where they spend time with caring mentors while receiving the support needed to break the cycle of poverty for good. Local staff also take essential programming and activities into neighborhoods that are farther out from our community centers. This flexibility helps ensure these life-altering interventions are delivered to the most vulnerable children in the most effective way.
Other charities provide access to medical care, but Children International is among the few to also prioritize dental care. Poor oral health can lead to lifelong health problems, workplace discrimination, and low self-esteem. By prioritizing oral health, we help kids face the future with a confident smile and a positive outlook. We also help ensure that children and families can access health care services whenever they need them.
We work to measure specific results that are directly related to our goal of graduating healthy, educated, empowered and employable adults. These outcomes are interconnected and essential to achieving the big goal: helping break the cycle of generational poverty.
You can write and send photos anytime. Your letters provide hope and encouragement for your child to do well in school, participate in programs and to work hard to break the cycle of poverty.
We encourage you to visit your child to see in person the impact your sponsorship is having! Learn more about planning a visit.
A child’s sponsorship lasts until they turn 19.
You can cancel your monthly giving at any time, for any reason. And once a child is in our program, we make a commitment to be a part of their lives until they graduate - so your child will still receive the opportunities and benefits of our program.
Yes, we consider these “extra gifts” and your child and your child’s family will be excited and thankful to know you are thinking of them.
Yes. Being a part of multiple children’s lives is a generous and rewarding way to learn more about different cultures around the world!
Child safeguarding is both a necessity and a top priority for us. Children International’s Child Safeguarding Policy encompasses protocols, reporting guidelines, abuse prevention steps, staff and volunteer training, ethical use of materials, and measures for safe sponsor-child interactions—all aimed at ensuring the safety of children and youth.
Some of the most trusted names in the industry have taken notice of how efficiently we use your donations. Charity watchdog groups like Charity Navigator, GuideStar (now Candid), Charity Watch, Great Nonprofits, and the Better Business Bureau all give Children International top ratings.
Children International has received 4 out of 4 stars by Charity Navigator, with the highest score of 100 in the area of accountability and transparency.
CharityWatch named Children International as a top-rated charity with an “A-” grade. This rating is based solely on financial efficiency measurements.
Great Nonprofits has recognized Children International as a Top-Rated Charity, based entirely on feedback from volunteers, donors and people served by nonprofits.
Children International has earned GuideStar’s Platinum Seal of Transparency, the highest level of recognition offered.
Children International meets the Better Business Bureau standards for charity accountability on all 20 of the categories measured.
