Every penny of support goes toward releasing children from poverty. Each dollar is broken into three categories: grant dollars, administrative costs and fundraising costs.
Compassion sends the sponsorship funds we receive to the local church caring for the child you sponsor, ensuring they receive consistent care from a loving church in their community.
Your donation is used to provide care to the child you sponsor, including the hope of the gospel, protection from abuse, medical care and so much more.
At Compassion International, our mission is to release children from poverty in Jesus’ name. But we can’t do it alone. Your monthly child sponsorship donation of $43 enables us to equip a local church in a child’s community to care for their needs.
We commonly receive questions like this from our loving sponsors:
“I am getting a bit concerned with the cost to sponsor a child. Where is the money going that isn’t going to the children? I would hate to think it is for a glossier overedited over advertising or staff bloat to make sponsors feel better.”
We know how important it is for you to see that your donation is being used to release children from poverty. That’s why we’re transparent, taking our financial accountability seriously.
Below, we share how much of your donation goes to the child you sponsor and how your efforts are making a true difference in their life.
How Much Money Goes to the Child I Sponsor?
Every penny of your support goes toward releasing children from poverty in Jesus’ name. There are three main categories that each dollar is broken down into:
Grant dollars: These funds go directly to the local church partner, empowering them to run child development centers. At these centers, children receive physical, emotional, mental and spiritual care. These grant dollars ensure every child, even those who are currently waiting for sponsors, can still receive care, including an introduction to the gospel, medical checkups, education, nutrition support, hygiene training, protection and more.
Administrative costs: We use a portion of each dollar for staff salaries and the expenses of running the business end of our ministry.
Fundraising costs: We use a portion of each dollar to advertise our program so we can reach new audiences. Through these efforts, we can find even more people just like you who want to join us in the ministry of releasing children from poverty in Jesus’ name. An estimated 412 million children live in extreme poverty. Through your support and the support of others, we can reach them.
Our Financial Accountability Pledge
The total of administrative and fundraising costs never exceeds 25 cents from each dollar. For the past 20+ years, that cost has averaged around 20 cents from each dollar. You can trust that every dollar we receive is prayerfully used to reach as many children as possible with life-changing care and the hope of the gospel.
Does the Money Go Directly to the Child?
Compassion sends the sponsorship funds we receive to the local church caring for the child you sponsor. This approach ensures the child consistently receives the critical care they need from loving church staff and volunteers in their community. Sending donations directly to the child you sponsor can have negative consequences. For example, a child’s family may misuse the funds, leaving the child without necessary care. Or a child may develop an unhealthy dependence on the money they receive.
Our approach ensures the child is cared for while they’re also being empowered to later support and care for themselves.
Want to learn more about how your donation is carefully stewarded? Read our most recent Financial Accountability report.
How Is My Donation Use to Help the Child I Sponsor?
Once your child sponsorship donation is received by the local church, it covers the cost of the care the child receives. Some examples of what a child receives include:
The gospel: The child you sponsor hears the gospel and experiences Jesus’ love for them through the care of the local church.
Protection from abuse and exploitation: The child you sponsor is surrounded by loving adults trained in child protection who keep them safe and teach them how to advocate for themselves.
Care for their health: The child is monitored for malnutrition, gets a yearly checkup and receives critical medical care whenever they become sick or hurt.
Education: The child receives a quality education, tutoring and vocational training, enabling them to reach their dreams and become thriving adults.
Disaster response: The child you sponsor receives emergency aid, including clean water, shelter and trauma counseling when disaster strikes.
With their physical, emotional, mental and spiritual needs met, the child you sponsor will be empowered to overcome poverty and help others do the same.
Why Compassion International?
When it comes to choosing a child sponsorship organization, we know we’re far from the only choice you’ve got. Beyond our dedication to financial accountability, what sets us apart from other organizations? Why should you entrust your gifts to us?
Compassion International is:
Christ-centered: Jesus is at the center of everything we do, so every child in our program hears the gospel and sees it in action through local church pastors, volunteers and sponsors.
Church-driven: We empower local churches in impoverished communities to serve children in need. This enables churches to fulfill their role as sources of light and hope, representing Christ and making disciples in their communities.
Child-focused: We exist to release children from poverty in Jesus’ name. As children grow into thriving followers of Jesus, they can transform their families, communities and nations.
Whether you’re a current sponsor or considering becoming a sponsor, thank you. Know that through your yes to being the hands and feet of Jesus, you’re changing a child’s life for eternity. We’re so grateful for you!
