10/20/2009: New [higher] limits on gifts to sponsored children
Compassion never, ever requires that we give gifts to our sponsored children, their families or projects. All gifts are monetary, made payable to Compassion International; project staff work with the parents to learn what the child wants (for birthday or other Child Gifts) or family needs (for Family Gifts). Generally, the staff then makes the purchase(s). Every dollar sent as a child or family gift is used entirely for the stated purpose, with the exception of Christmas gifts.
For those sponsors or other donors who are able and want to give gifts, here is the new policy as it came down from regional staff. Compassion’s website has not yet been updated with this information.
CSP – No individual, family or graduation gifts are allowed for beneficiaries of the Child Survival Program. (CSP sponsorships apply only to CSP projects, not to enrollees. Supporters receive periodic letters from projects.)
CDSP – Gifts for your sponsored child, including birthday but not Christmas gifts, are limited to $10 to $100* USD (maximum per year). A child gift over $100 USD will be considered a family gift, unless it is specifically designated as a final graduation gift. During the child’s final year, a gift from $10 to $2,000 USD may be given.
(*Compassion’s recommended range for birthday gifts has been $10 to $25 USD, to prevent having some children receive very large amounts, while others receive very little–or nothing. For now, I suggest checking at 1-800-336-7676 before giving a birthday gift in excess of $25; more can be sent up to the cumulative $100 maximum at another time of the year, or in increments. /VSmall)
Family – Sponsors may give family gifts ranging from $25 – $1,000 USD, maximum, per year.
Project – Some sponsors who are able to do so like to send gifts for their child’s project. Gifts so designated are allowed in amounts ranging from $100 to $2,000 USD, maximum, per donor, per year. Projects administering both CDSP and CSP may receive gifts of $100 to $2,000.
LDP – Sponsors may give $25 to $500 USD to a student. Additionally, a maximum amount of $2,000 USD will be allowed for the purchase of a computer and supplies. “Sending monies for a computer will require pre-approval from the country office through the field memo process.” A graduation gift of $10 to $2,000 USD may be given during the student’s final year in the LDP.
9/5/2009: Compassion now open in 26 countries!
This past week, Compassion opened in Sri Lanka with the Child Survival Program. Twelve CSP centers will open in spring 2010–and they’re all fully funded!
This may be the first time Compassion has opened work in a country with the CSP, rather than with the child-sponsorship program (CDSP). Sponsorship projects will open as children enrolled in the CSP become ready to graduate into the CDSP; those children will then be in need of sponsors.
Anyone can “sponsor” a Child Survival Project for as little as $20/month. Sponsorships extend to the project and not to any individual enrollees. The funds contribute to the costs of running the project (e.g., providing prenatal supplements and nutrition to pregnant moms; training caregivers in healthful nutrition, food preparation, and parenting; HIV testing in affected areas, and treatment of caregivers, children and unborn infants who are infected; and more). Project sponsors do not exchange letters with enrollees; occasional newsletters or reports are sent from the projects to sponsors. Read more about this life-saving program on Compassion’s website by clicking on the CSP link in the first paragraph, above.
8/10/2009: Charity Navigator’s highest rating
For the eighth year in a row, Charity Navigator has given Compassion its highest rating (****) for it consistent financial responsibility, leaving Compassion in the top 1% of charitable organizations rated by this watchdog group. Check it out here. (This announcement was actually made a couple of weeks ago; I’m just getting around to spreading the word.)
5/20/2009: One million children sponsored!!
In 2008, the number of children registered in Compassion-assisted projects in 25 countries surpassed 1,000,000. Now, on May 20, 2009, the number of children sponsored has reached 1,000,000! This is an incredible milestone and people who love the ministry of Compassion are celebrating!
However, that still leaves a lot of children who are registered and waiting. You can end the wait by clicking Vicki Small’s sponsorship page in the sidebar. Or, if you prefer a link embedded in the body of text, go here.
5/9/2009: Locating your child’s home and project area
The information in a child’s packet about his region within his country may be less than helpful, when you try to locate it on the small map provided. Now you can look for your child’s project number on the country map, here. Just move your mouse over the maps, which appear in alphabetical order, until you come to the one for your child’s country. The project number is the first set of digits in the Child Number; for example, for a child in Peru, the number will look like this: PE-123-xxxx.
4/29/2009: The Lowdown on Letter Writing
Ever wonder why you get only three letters a year from a sponsored child in one location, but one for every letter you write from another child, somewhere else? Ever wonder why communications between you and your child take so long? These questions and more have been answered in Compassion’s blog in various posts. Today’s post answers some and links to previous posts on the topic. Go to http://blog.compassion.com/letter-writing-reciprocal/.
4/22/2009: Kids: Take a (virtual) trip with Compassion!
Compassion has just announced creation of a section of their website specifically for children ages 6 to 10 years old! Go with Compassion to Bangladesh, Brazil, El Salvador and Ghana. Visit a Compassion-assisted project (student center) and the surrounding community. Much more awaits, so check it out at http://www.questforcompassion.org/ today!
3/20/2009: Incredible!
March 18, 2009, was designated Global Food Crisis Fund Day. Hundreds–maybe thousands– of Christian radio stations around the nation participated, putting out the message throughout the day. Tucson’s own K-LOVE participated (thank you!).
Compassion had set a goal of $1,000,000 to be raised in one day. God had a better plan, and as contributions were processed over the next couple of days, the total grew to $3.1 million! And the count continued! But that’s not all: More than 2,000 children were sponsored, as a result of the fundraising drive!
3/5/2009: Tidbits:
- Even in this difficult economy, Compassion/U.S. is seeing a growth rate of 12% in sponsorships!
- Of the 1 million or more children currently registered in Compassion-assisted projects around the world, 173,000 have been waiting at least six months for a sponsor. Of those, 20,000 have been waiting longer than 12 months!*
- One pastor reported that, after his church began partnering with Compassion, he kept a spreadsheet showing the giving to the local church among Compassion sponsors and everyone else. To his surprise and delight, Compassion sponsors gave more to their local church than other givers!
Update: As of 3/24/2009, the number of children who are registered and have been waiting longer than 12 months is down to about 12,000. Thank God for that!
2/3/2009: Great news!–connect with your sponsored child by sending a digital photo!
For some years, sponsors have been able, through the “My Account” pages on Compassion’s website, to type a letter or note of encouragement to their sponsored child in an e-mail format. “The e-mail is printed, translated and given to your sponsored child just like a hand-written letter. . . .” But here’s the news: ”If you would like to send a digital photo to your sponsored child, you can now attach the file in an e-mail to . The attached photo will be printed out in color and put into the hands of your sponsored child! We’re excited to share this new technology option with you!”
