For your convenience we have provided a FAQ page. Below you will find answers to some frequently asked questions. If you have a question that is not answered here, please do not hesitate to contact us by email at cfmain@childfoundation.org
or by telephone at (503) 698-4084
1. Q. Who is Child Foundation and where do you work?
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Established in 1994, Child Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization registered in the state of Oregon. Child Foundation's programs currently serve children in: Afghanistan, Indonesia, Iran, and the United States. |
2. Q. Where are most of your sponsors located?
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Almost all of our sponsors live in the United States. |
3. Q. What is sponsorship?
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Sponsorshp provides ongoing economic stability for a child in need, enabling him or her to remain in school. Sponsorship creates a unique relationship between an individual donor and a sponsored child. By pairing up a child with one or more sponsors, this child is able to obtain the necessary relief and aid that he or she needs. Generally, children sponsored through Child Foundation's programs are supported for their entire academic career. For some children this is up until high school, for others it may mean throughout their college years. |
4. Q. How much does it cost to sponsor a child?
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Only $20.00 a month. This small amount makes Child Foundation one of the most affordable sponsorship organizations in the country. However, to provide a child with the assistance that he or she needs, our sponsored children generally receive monthly support equal to $45.00 - $60.00. |
5. Q. Is there any age limit for a child who wants to be sponsored through your organization?
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No. Child Foundation does not set an age limit for sponsoring a child. However, we strive to commence supporting children in their early years. Generally, sponsorship starts when a child enters the first grade and continues throughout his or her college years. |
6. Q. What criteria do you use to select children for your sponsorship programs?
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The children enrolled in our programs are first and foremost in need. Child Foundation uses social workers and teachers to identify children who are gifted and talented. Usually, these children have high IQs and have the talent and desire to succeed. |
7. Q. What is the gender ratio of children enrolled in your sponsorship programs?
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Our vision is based on the belief that all children have the right to access education as well as the right to have a happy and successful life. In support of the United Nation's 2015 Millennium Development Goals, Child Foundation has focused on increasing access to education and gender equality in the classroom. Today, 62% of the children sponsored through Child Foundation's sponsorship programs are females. |
8. Q. What is Child Foundation's mission and purpose?
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Our mission and purpose as a public charity is to help gifted and talented children who are economically disadvantaged remain in school. Child Foundation supports children and their respective families to overcome the burdens of poverty so that they can become healthy, educated, self-sustaining and contributing members of society. |
9. Q. What does my child receive for $20.00?
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This donation provides relief and aid in the form of food, clothing, medical assistance and educational materials. In countries other than Iran, we are able to assist with shelter and to provide emergency funding for the child as well as his or her respective family.
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10. Q. How do you ensure that the funds you receive are spent as your sponsors intend?
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We are able to ensure that funds are spent accordingly because we have established financial accountability using thorough independent accounting specializing in nonprofit organizations and financial reporting procedures. Child Foundation's annual fiscal audits comply with the Internal Revenue's tax requirements for nonprofit organizations and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Full financial statements are available upon request by calling (503) 698-4084 or by emailing us at cfmain@childfoundation.org.
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11. Q. How can I evaluate Child Foundation's financial history and operations?
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There are many ways that you can check Child Foundation's financial history and operations. As a public charity we are registered with the following organizations:
- Charity Navigator, America's premier charity evaluator, http://www.charitynavigator.org
- The Better Business Bureau (BBB), Wise Giving Alliance, www.give.org
- Guidestar.org, the national database of nonprofit organizations operating in the U.S.,www.GuideStar.org
Child Foundation’s programs have been endorsed by the United Nations and we are currently registered with the Department of Public Information Non-governmental Organizations (DPI.NGO). As an international charity serving children in need around the world, we are very careful to follow the rules and guidelines mandated by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the U.S. Department of Treasury. Child Foundation’s annual and fiscal reports are always available to the general public.
Click here to View Reports |
12. Q. How much of my $20.00 donation is actually used to assist the child I am sponsoring?
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Child Foundation takes enormous pride in making sure our sponsors' and donors hard earned income is not over spent on operational costs and expenses. In the 2006 fiscal year, Child Foundation's operating costs were kept to a low 9%. This means that 91% of your donation, or $18.20 of your $20.00 gift, directly supports the children we serve through our programs. |
13. Q. How is Child Foundation able to operate with such low overhead expenses?
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Child Foundation maintains low overhead expenses by doing the following:
1. Providing programs to large numbers of children in concentrated areas, helping us to efficiently and effectively distribute benefits.
2. Making sure our social workers are trained volunteers who live in that country or region.
3. Purchasing supplies such as food, clothing, medicine and educational materials in bulk.
4. Actively pursuing donations from corporations and companies.
5. Orchestrating fundraising events with trained volunteers.
6. Maximizing resources. Currently, Child Foundation has only seven employed staff members, all of whom share one small office located in downtown Portland, Oregon. |
14. Q. How often will I receive updates and reports on my sponsored child's progress?
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Every six months you will receive a progress report from Child Foundation. This report will update you on your child’s academic progress, living conditions as well as any changes in your child’s mental or physical health. Together with this report, you will receive an updated picture, a letter from your child and a letter from your child’s soical worker.
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15. Q. Does Child Foundation have any political or religious agenda?
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Not at all. Child Foundation has no political, religious, ethnic or racial affiliations. We are a public charity established solely to help children in need obtain an education and remain in school. |
16. Q. How does Child Foundation send my contribution to my sponsored child?
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How a child receives donations and gifts largely depends on what country he or she is living in. Child Foundation is committed to following the rules and regulations mandated by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC ) of the U.S. Department of Treasury as well as the rules and regulations of the countries receiving our aid. Currently, sanctions in Iran prevent us from sending anything other than food, clothing, medical assistance and educational materials to the children supported through our programs. By law, Child Foundation is not permitted to send cash or any other goods other than the humanitarian items mentioned above. In other countries where US sanctions do not apply, it is possible to purchase other goods and services for the children we serve.
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17. Q. Can I visit my sponsored child?
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Of Course. Meeting your child face-to-face gives you the opportunity to witness firsthand how he or she lives. It also enables you to see how your contributions are being used and what they provide. |
18. Q. Can I write to my sponsored child, and can he or she write to me?
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Yes! You will receive two letters per year from you sponsored child. You can also write to your child as often as you wish. |
19. Q. Is my gift tax-deductible?
A. Yes. All contributions made to Child Foundation are U.S. income tax deductible.
20. Q. How can a Matching Gift Program help my child?
A. Many sponsors participate in their company's Matching Gift Program.
Matching Gift Programs enable employers to double, triple and sometimes
quadruple their employee's charitable contribution. It's easy to start a Matching
Gift Program, simply contact your human resources department and ask if your
company has a Matching Gift Program for public charities. If they do, they will
provide you with a simple form to fill out. Fill out the form and either email, fax or
mail it back to us.
Email: cfmain@childfoundation.org
Fax: (503) 297-1546
Mail: Child Foundation
Attn: Matching Gift Programs
P.O. Box 1364
Clackamas, OR 97015
Once we receive this form, Child Foundation will notify your company to
ensure that their matching gift goes directly to Child Foundation. If your company
does not currently offer a matching gift program, be sure to suggest that they look into it.
21. Q How can I review Child Foundation’s financial reports and tax forms?
A. Child Foundation takes greats pride in its fiscal accountability so that we do
not waste your contribution and hard earned income. Child Foundation
arranges for an annual financial audit through an independent auditing firm and we
outsource our accounting to an accounting firm that specializes in nonprofit
organizations.
Please Click this Link to view our 2006 financial report and IRS 990 Forms. You can also view these reports by visiting www.Guidestar.org
Thank you for your interest in Child Foundation. Please click this link to return to our home page.
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