FAQ
Our sponsors become cosponsors and donations will be used to purchase food to your sponsored child.
Our goal is two cosponsors for each child in Iran to ensure a stable system of support that is more independent of government turbulance. One sponsor, through our Iran partner, provides a stipend from inside Iran or another country unencumbered by US sanctions on Iran. You can be or are already the second cosponsor who, through Child Foundation, provides food. Your support will fill your sponsored child’s Child Foundation-issued student food card each month.
This card is functionally a grocery store gift card used to claim the food imported for that child.
Sponsorship dollars go to providing food for the intended child’s family. Imported food will be distributed throughout Iran via a large, independent chain grocery store. This means, each month, families can collect the food at their convenience and with complete dignity.
Child Foundation promised that the new sponsorship program would genuintely benefit children and their families, operate efficiently, withstand political turbulence, and abide by regulations in both countries. These are our commitments.
Together, we can ensure the wellbeing of our thousands of young students will be independent of government politics as food is not sanctioned and is needed more than ever.
We love it when our sponsors show extra generosity for a child’s birthday or the holidays that matter the most to them like the Iranian New Year (Nowruz). Any extra gift will be assigned to your child’s Child Foundation-issues student food card as early as possible so that they can receive extra food for their family.
Even if you want to send extra support “just because”, we welcome the gesture and your sponsored child will know you were thinking of them. Please consider sending a birthday note as well by emailing our office ( [email protected] ) with the message you want to send.
We are excited that food is not sanctioned by the US government because grocery costs are a significant burden for the average Iranian household and even more so for our sponsored students’ families as need and academic motivation are the two most important qualifications for Child Foundation scholarships. Reports from our Iran partner office indicate food insecurity is an even more urgent need now for low-income families. We can help put food in front of our sponsored children and so we will.
We have seen the Iran program’s impact in students’ reports that the financial and emotional support over the years helped them excel. We are confident that the program’s impact will continue because food is a basic need that families must meet for their young scholars to stay in school. We know that hungry students struggle to learn.
We have hundreds of children today who want to learn and qualify for sponsorship. Their families are in need. Sponsoring a child today gets food on the way to their family in the next shipment.
Keep in mind that the economic conditions in Iran have worsened. Food prices have risen alarmingly, and the problematic economy has also resulted in some food and employment shortages. These young scholars need their education and our support to get it.
Our Iran partner will issue your sponsored child’s student food card and fill it each month with credit for the food Child Foundation imported. The third party grocery store will report the food claimed to our Iran office to ensure that families struggling with the process get support. We designed a smart and agile system.
Our social workers are regularly in contact with the children and want to assure each family gets the food it needs.
Further, sponsors are welcome to reach out to their sponsored children by letter. Video and phone chats will be available again after the pandemic subsides.
The food imported may differ from month to month. As of right now, the Iranian government allows the import of the following four types of food:
- Meat (frozen)
- Legumes (beans and lentils)
- Rice
- Tea
At different harvest times of the year, the Iranian government shifts import allowances and we expect to be able to import sugar and other items in the future.
Child Foundation is concerned for the sponsored children in Iran and wants to provide stable support. The food package program is demonstrating to be both helpful and reliable for our students. For the foreseeable future, we expect to continue this program even after our new OFAC application (currently in process with the US government) is approved as this type of license’s renewal process is resource intensive and not transparent.
Given OFAC’s recent delays, we expect the review of our new application to take many months.
Sponsorship support sent to Child Foundation during the OFAC pending period are in our restricted funds. Child Foundation sent a request to the US Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Asset Control for their authorization to send donations as cash. However we can purchase food at anytime and gradually disburse it if OFAC does not respond to our request in the next few months.
US sanctions on Iran are among the strictest in the world and make working with our partner office in Iran extremely challenging. For 26 years we have supported children in Iran to the extent that US law allowed. For many years, we were able to send funds to families in Iran but that changed in 2019 when US OFAC decided in November of 2019 not to renew the license we used to do that work. We are now importing food into the country to support the thousands of young students in our program so that they can focus on their studies.
Our other programs do not have the same limitations and, as a result, we are able to support children differently in countries like Afghanistan, India or Indonesia.
Child Foundation takes US laws and regulations seriously. We also operate each program as per the laws and regulations in each country receiving our sponsors’ donations or aid. US sanctions do not prohibit the import of food. In years past, Child Foundation legally sent money to Iran for our sponsored children as per our previous OFAC license (granted by the US Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Asset Control). In January of 2020, we applied for a new OFAC license and in the meantime will only be importing food for our sponsored children.
Yes, Child Foundation still has access to the General License E from OFAC which allows us to raise and send funds for humanitarian and disaster relief efforts. This license allows us to send up to $500,000 to Iran every 12 months. We used the license to send aid after the Kermenshah earthquake and several major floodings. Our current fundraiser for Iran care packages is addressing urgent food insecurity in Iran due to the coronavirus and you are welcome to donate as this money will be sent to our Iran partner to help our most vulnerable children.
You are welcome to contact our office by email at [email protected] and by phone at (503) 224-0409. We would appreciate a personal conversation with you about these details.
Established in 1994, Child Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization registered in the state of Oregon. Child Foundation is currently supporting children in Iran, Afghanistan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Nepal, and the United States.
Our Sponsorship Program provides ongoing economic stability for children in need, enabling them 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 that they need. Generally, children sponsored through Child Foundation's programs are supported for their entire academic career. For some children, this is until high school, for others, it may include college. Sponsor a child now!
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.
Child Foundation is supervised by a Board of Directors, who are all serving as volunteers. Their names and information can be found here.
The US sanctions concerning Iran are complicated but we have excellent experience legally navigating them to benefit the Iranian people.
We have secured a General License E from OFAC which allows us to raise and send funds for humanitarian efforts. This is the kind of aid you helped us send when the recent earthquake and flood caused so much destruction.
For several years, we had permission to transfer cash stipends in our Iranian student sponsorship program. In November 2019, we are denied a third renewal of that original OFAC license and are in the process of returning the program to a food package sponsorship system. Food is not subject of sanctions. Given the increase of good prices in Iran, such packages will relieve some of the burden felt by vulnerable families and help children focus on their education.
You can go to our sponsorship page located here. You can also call our office and have our sponsorship department help you choose a child to sponsor.
Sponsorship of an Iranian child is a cosponsorship. You, as a sponsor, would provide half of the child's support with $20.00 per month while a sponsor in Iran would provide the other portion. Our minimum sponsorship level starts at $30,00 per month for children in Afghanistan, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Nepal. However, to adequately address the needs of any given child, between $40.00 - $70.00 per month may be required, sometimes covered by multiple sponsors.
You can cancel your sponsorship at any time by calling (503) 224-0409 or sending an email to [email protected].
If you wish to cancel your sponsorship, please inform us at least one month in advance so that we can replace you with another sponsor. This way there will not be any interruption in our services to the child that you have been helping.
No. Child Foundation does not set an age limit for sponsored children. However, we strive to commence supporting children in their early years. Generally, sponsorship starts when a child enters the first grade.
The children enrolled in our programs are first and foremost in need. Child Foundation makes use of social workers and teachers to identify children who are studious and talented. Usually, these children have a desire to succeed and work extremely hard, despite financial and societal barriers.
The children enrolled in our programs are first and foremost in need. Child Foundation makes use of social workers and teachers to identify children who are studious and talented. Usually, these children have a desire to succeed and work extremely hard, despite financial and societal barriers.
Child Foundation works closely with an accountant experienced in nonprofit accounting and financial management to ensure funds are spent in accordance with our donors’ intention. We voluntarily perform an annual audit each year that complies with the Internal Revenue Service’s regulations. Full financial statements are available on our website.
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. You can check their website to see how they've rated us.
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Charity Navigator: America's premier charity evaluator has given Child Foundation their highest rating (Four Stars)
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GuideStar: The national database of nonprofit organizations operating in the U.S. has given Child Foundation its gold rating (The Gold Participant)
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Independent Charities of America: ICA has provided Child Foundation with their highest seal of approval (Best). Out of over a million charities in America, fewer than 2,500 have been awarded this seal, and Child Foundation is one of them.
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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).
Child Foundation's annual and fiscal reports are always available to the general public. You can read our annual reports here and view our financial reports (done by an independent auditor) and our tax returns here.
Yes, in 2012 the audit committee of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) examined all of Child Foundation's accounts for the last five years and concluded that all income, expenses, and credits had been reported accurately. According to the IRS letter, Child Foundation continues to qualify for exemption from Federal Income Tax and will continue to hold a 501(c)(3) status.
Additionally, a 13-month IRS audit recently came to a close. The IRS examined two years' worth of documentation including all governing instruments, contracts, licenses, board and committee meeting minutes, and accounting and financial statements. Specifically, the IRS auditor examined:
Every wire transfer sent by Child Foundation USA over the last two years including those sent to Afghanistan and Iran.
Each memorandum of understandings (MOU) which set out how Child Foundation USA works with each affiliate office around the world.
Each contracted trustee, officer, director, and key employee contract to ensure transparent, reasonable wages.
All donations, tracing their being applied to the intended campaign or child with only reasonable and reported overhead cost reductions.
The criteria for selecting children eligible for programs and how needs were assessed. We explained our internal auditing process which verifies that resources are received by children and used to support their education.
Our independent auditor and their records.
We received a flawless finding from IRS with no changes to our status as a non-profit, tax-exempt organization. The successful audit was no surprise to Child Foundation. We are proud to be a top-rated and transparent organization who put the welfare of children at the center of all we do.
Child Foundation takes enormous pride in making sure that the funding we receive from our sponsors and donors is used for our programs in an optimal manner. In the 2018-2019 fiscal year, ending May 31, 2019, approximately 90.5% of your donations were used directly for our programs that benefit children. If your contribution to your child is greater than the child's needs, the remainder of your donation will be used for other children in need.
Child Foundation maintains low overhead through a myriad of methods: 1. Providing programs to large number of children in concentrated areas, helping us to efficiently and effectively distribute services. 2. Making sure our social workers are trained volunteers who live in that country or region. 3. Actively pursuing donations from corporations and companies. 4. Organizing fundraising events with trained volunteers. 5. Maximizing resources by operating with a small staff who each assume a variety of roles. 6. Utilizing volunteers throughout the United States and other countries who help Child Foundation.
Twice a year, you will receive a progress report from your child. This report will update you on your child’s academic progress, their living conditions, and any changes in your child’s mental or physical health. Along with this report, you will receive an updated picture, a letter from your child and a letter from your child’s social worker.
Bi-annual progress reports are usually available to new sponsors after they have continuously sponsored a child for the full length of a reporting cycle. There are two reporting cycle in each year, first cycle starts at the beginning of spring, which is the start of the Persian new year, and the second one starts at the beginning of fall.
Due to the large number of sponsored children and the nature of the work, it can take up to three months after this time to receive progress reports. Depending on what time of year you start your sponsorship, it could take anywhere between eight to twelve months to receive your first progress report. Once you enter your second year of being a sponsor, you will receive two reports per year regularly.
Afghanistan, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Nepal Sponsorship Programs
Your donated dollars will be sent to the child or children you are sponsoring in the form of a stipend. The stipend supports the child's education by helping with their school-related costs and living expenses so they can focus on learning.
Iran Sponsorship Program
Your donated dollars will purchase and distribute food packages for each student and their family. The food will be shipped to Iran, adhering to US sanction which do not require a license to send food, medicine, and medical equipment. We will prioritize non-perishable and culturally-typical foods like rice, lentils, beans, and oil.
Absolutely! A face-to-face meeting will give you the opportunity to witness firsthand how your sponsored child is doing. It also enables you to see how your contributions are being used and what opportunities it has opened for your sponsored child.
Yes! You will receive two progress reports and letters per year from your sponsored child. You can also write to your child as often as you wish.
Yes. All contributions made to Child Foundation are deductible from taxable income in the U.S. Every January, Child Foundation sends an official statement to its donors that reflects all of their donations from the previous year. Our tax ID number is 93-1148608.
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 contributions. Simply contact your human resources department and ask if your company has a Matching Gift Program for public charities.
Although Child Foundation's main goal is to help children stay in school, we do provide humanitarian aid to help children and their families when there is an urgent need. Child Foundation was very active when deadly earthquakes hit Afghanistan, Haiti, Japan, Pakistan, and Turkey and collected both in-kind and cash donations to help rebuild the countries. Our Afghanistan office regularly organizes blood drives to help children with thalassemia and provides free rides for their blood transfusions. We also fundraise for children who need to undergo expensive surgeries or treatments that they cannot afford.
There are many ways that you can help Child Foundation assist children in need.
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Sponsor a child: Go to our Sponsor page and choose one or more children to help.
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Donate: You can visit our one-time donation page and choose any of our humanitarian projects in which you are interested in, and help launch or continue that program through your generosity.
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Volunteer: Please complete our volunteer application, and we will contact you to see how we can work together to help children in need.
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Spread the Word: Talk to your friends and family about Child Foundation's humanitarian activities and share your own experience with them. If you need additional copies of our annual magazine, annual report, or just a list of our children waiting to be sponsored, please contact us and we will send them to you.
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Follow us: We are on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram. You can follow us on our social media outlets or just send us your e-mail and we will send you our bi-monthly newsletter.