Charities offering child sponsorship have been successfully soliciting the public for decades. Usually, potential donors are asked to contribute a monthly amount to assist needy children within a community overseas or in the United States. Many of these groups also offer sponsors the opportunity to receive letters from the child being assisted. For some donors, this connection with an individual helps provide a better understanding of how their dollars are making a difference and creates an emotional connection with the cause.  You’re not just helping the needy, you’re aiding little Anna.

It is important to keep in mind, that not all child sponsorship organizations operate in the same way. While some organizations might offer the ability to have a one-on-one donor-connection with an individual child, the more likely circumstance is that donations are pooled with others and are used to support projects intended to benefit the local community where the child lives. For example, building schools, providing medical care, digging water wells or distributing food. The charity’s website and materials should clearly explain how they carry out their sponsorship work.

While child sponsorship charities also offer the ability to donate one-time gifts for certain projects, the child sponsorship option generally involves a longer commitment of continuing contributions. This is all the more reason to verify the trustworthiness of the group by visiting Give.org to see if it meets the BBB Charity Standards.

For additional information about child sponsorship considerations, visit the following page on Give.org.

As part of our Building Trust Video series, we are pleased to provide a video that features Janet Mintzer, President & CEO, Pearl S. Buck International (a BBB Accredited Charity) which carries out international exchange programs, cultural appreciation and education programs, child sponsorship, humanitarian aid, public exhibits, and the preservation and interpretation of the Pearl S. Buck House.  

We are always working with charities to publish or update reports for donors. Visit Give.org or local BBBs to check out any charity before giving. Our recently evaluated charities include:

• Association on American Indian Affairs
• RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association
• U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants  

Finally, remember to let us know by going to https://give.org/ask-us-about-a-charity1/ if you are  interested in seeing a report on a charity not on the list and we will do our best to produce one.   

H. Art Taylor, President & CEO
BBB Wise Giving Alliance