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At $22 a month, Children International has the lowest cost of the most well-known sponsorship organizations, followed by Plan USA at $24 a month, Christian Children’s Fund at $26 a month and Save the Children at $28 a month. Programs vary too. Most of these organizations concentrate primarily on community-based initiatives, while Compassion and Children International focus on one-to-one sponsorship that provides tangible benefits and meaningful services to individual children, as well as the personal connection they develop with sponsors. And only Children International has an organized, fully developed youth program, which offers scholarships for vocational training or continuing education, leadership training, team building and community involvement projects. While we believe Children International offers you an excellent and affordable choice for making a lasting impact on one child’s life, choosing any of these organizations will bring positive change to those who need it most. |
| CHILDREN INTERNATIONAL | Christian Children's Fund |
Compassion | Plan USA | Save the Children | World Vision | |
| YEAR FOUNDED | 1936 | 1938 | 1952 | 1937 | 1932 | 1950 |
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CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS COMPONENT |
No discrimination based on religion or culture. Helps children based strictly on need. | Provides help to children regardless of religious affiliation. | Partners with local Christian churches and conducts Christian outreach. | Respects local cultures and religions. | Respects local traditions and cultures of children. | Where appropriate, partners with local churches. Arranges for interested participants to learn more about the Christian faith. |
| SPONSORSHIP COSTS | $22 per month | $24 per month | $32 per month | $24 per month | $28 per month | $30 per month |
| WHO ARE THE PRIMARY BENEFICIARIES? | Sponsored children are the primary recipients, but programs also assist families and communities. | Funds are pooled to help the whole community. | Programs are focused on individual children. | Programs benefit the children, their families and communities. | Community- based programs benefit children, families and communities. | Addresses the needs of the community with programs geared toward children and families. |
| SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM DESCRIPTION | Direct child to sponsor relationship | Community based with child to sponsor relationship | Direct child to sponsor relationship | Community based with child to sponsor relationship | Community based with child to sponsor relationship | Community based with child to sponsor relationship |
| AS A SPONSOR, WHAT DOES MY MONEY PROVIDE? | Direct assistance to your sponsored child, including health and dental care, medicine, malnutrition screening and treatment, educational assistance, clothing and shoes, material aid for families, gifts for holidays, youth programs, disaster assistance and community improvement projects. | Health, nutrition, educational and livelihood projects, as well as assistance during emergencies and disasters. |
Educational assistance, health and nutritional opportunities, and supplemental feeding as needed. |
Help building schools, training teachers and providing school supplies. Clean water initiatives, building medical centers and latrines and training health care workers. | Childhood development programs, primarily through education, school health and nutrition, youth development and HIV/AIDS prevention. | Programs that provide food, clean water, health care, educational assistance and spiritual growth. |
| AS A SPONSOR, WHAT WILLL I RECIEVE FROM THE ORGANIZATION? | A welcome letter from the director of your child’s project, community information, a subscription to Children International’s magazine, Journeys, and other publications, as well as access to “My Account,” a sponsorship management tool on Children International’s website. | An annual progress report, and a subscription to different CCF publications. | Periodic updates, a biannual publication as well as newsletters about your child’s country and Compassion’s programs in that country. | Annual program information and a subscription to Plan Passport, a bi-annual magazine. | Publications regarding programs and special stationary for writing your child. | A welcome kit that includes family data and community information. Regular statements about programs. |
| WHAT WILL I RECEIVE FROM MY CHILD | Two letters a year, an annual photo and a progress report, plus updates for any special gifts or holiday contributions you make. | Two letters a year and a response to every letter you send. | Letters from your sponsored child. | An annual photo and family profile. | A new photo each year, letters and drawings, plus updated biographical information. | Initial photos and a letter from your child. Each year you will receive an updated photo and progress report. |
| YOUTH PROGRAM DESCRIPTION | Youth participate in leadership training, civic lessons, community improve-ment projects, educational seminars and team-building exercises. | No global youth program. Individual countries responsible for youth development programs. | Christian participants have the opportunity to receive develop/enhance leadership skills. | No global youth program. Individual countries responsible for youth development programs. | No global youth program. Individual countries responsible for youth development programs. | No global youth program. Individual countries responsible for youth development programs. |
| IS THERE CONTINUING EDUCATION AVAILABLE FOR YOUTH IN THE PROGRAM? | Yes, qualified participants can apply for assistance with vocational training, careers fairs, skills programs and college tuition. | No specific campaign to support continuing education. | Provides qualified candidates with an opportunity to receive an undergraduate degree. | No global program, however, a scholarship fund covers the cost of vocational education or secondary school in Uganda. | Education fund is available but not specifically for continuing education. | No specific campaign to support continuing education. |
| NUMBER OF COUNTRIES THAT INCLUDE SPONSORED CHILDREN? | 11 | 26 | 24 | 44 | 24 | 49 |
| CAN I SPONSOR A CHILD ONLINE | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| CAN I MANAGE MY SPONSORSHIP ACCOUNT ONLINE? | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| CAN I VIEW PHOTOS OF MY CHILD ON LINE |
Yes Current and Past Photos |
No | No | No | Yes, current photo only | Yes, current photo only |
| CAN I VIEW INFORMATION ABOUT MY CHILD ON LINE? | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| CAN I WRITE AND VISIT MY CHILD? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Please note that the information for this comparison chart was gathered from the websites of the individual organizations listed here.
To learn more about Children International, or to sponsor a child today, CLICK HERE!
