Frequently Asked Questions About Sponsorship

Sponsorship is a special kind of giving that creates a relationship between the giver and the community in which you are helping Save the Children to create real and lasting change. Join our sponsorship family now and together we can make the lives of children in need a little brighter.

Does sponsorship allow me to be matched with an actual child?
Individual child sponsors have the opportunity to choose a child (by region, country, gender and/or age) and to communicate with him or her if you so desire. This allows you, as an individual child sponsor, to connect with your sponsored child and to establish a friendship with him or her that will carry a special meaning for both of you.

Lifeline sponsors follow the progress of an “ambassador” child, who represents all of the children in his or her community. In addition to regular updates on Save the Children’s programs, you and all of the child’s Lifeline sponsors will receive yearly updates about his or her progress and copies of a drawing or letter that the child has created for his or her Lifeline sponsors.

Program sponsors support all of the sponsorship programs in the country of their choice. eProject sponsors support all of our programs in Ethiopia and receive all of their communications online. While all sponsors receive regular updates about the progress of our programs and stories about the children participating in them, only individual child sponsors are matched with individual children.

How much does sponsorship cost?
For only $28 a month — less than a dollar a day — you can become a sponsor and help change the lives of children in need around the world. We have many child sponsors who have supported us for over 15 years and we hope you will too!

How will my sponsorship contribution be spent?
Save the Children strives to create lasting change for your sponsored child and their community through programs that focus on early childhood development, health and nutrition, as well as primary education.

Save the Children has learned that one of the most effective ways of helping children is to combine your sponsorship gifts with those of other sponsors and donors - rather than giving them directly to your sponsored child. This system ensures that children in sponsorship communities, who may never have the opportunity to have a sponsor of their own, will still benefit from Save the Children sponsorship programs.

You can feel confident that Save the Children will spend your contributions wisely. In fiscal year 2005, Save the Children spent 91 percent of all expenditures on program services. Ninety-one percent is an average for all Save the Children’s programs worldwide; the percentage spent in a particular program may vary.

Why should I sponsor with Save the Children?

Save the Children has continued to be recognized for their fiscal accountability and programmatic responsibility. Save the Children has consistently earned the top rating from Charity Navigator, an independent rating service, as one of the most efficient and effective international humanitarian organizations. Our child sponsorship programs are also accredited by InterAction, the largest alliance of U.S.-based international development and humanitarian nongovernmental organizations. Save the Children has met the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance's standards for charity accountability.

Are my contributions tax deductible?
Yes. Please contact your tax advisor with any questions.

How long will my sponsorship last?
That’s entirely up to you. Sponsorship is a voluntary, ongoing contribution. Many of our sponsors have supported our work for 10 years or longer and we certainly hope that our relationship with you will be long-term as well.

Can I give a gift sponsorship?
Yes! You are able to share the gift of sponsorship with a loved one or colleague by selecting a sponsorship and entering the gift recipient’s information at the end of the enrollment form. The recipient will soon receive a gift card and welcome package introducing them to Save the Children’s family of sponsors.

Who can I contact if I have questions about my sponsorship?
You may email Donor Services, or contact an associate at 1.800.728.3843. Once a child sponsor, you can use go to your account on our web site to make changes.

I need more information before making my decision