First, we love people who do their homework, especially when it comes to how they spend their giving dollars. In 2018, 88% of our total expenses supported the programs and activities that help our kids. We work hard to keep our overhead costs low, so that our kids can have as many benefits as possible.

Many of our expanded programs need additional funding to allow more children to participate. So occasionally we ask supporters to donate to specific programs. We develop these programs so that each country can deliver customized support to our kids based on their specific needs where they live.

We look at areas with the highest concentration of poverty, usually urban slum communities. Using government data and statistics, we identify major cities and then seek to understand what the need is and what other services are offered in those communities.

Our local social workers determine which families need the most help. After meeting with family members, we use an assessment tool to determine if they are eligible. The social workers look at aspects such as a family’s source of income, how reliable it is, the number of family members living in the home, the number of beds, the amount and types of possessions, and whether the household is led by a single parent.

You can donate by debit or credit card, PayPal, check or money order. (If you’re sponsoring a child, you can choose a monthly, quarterly, semiannual or annual schedule.)

To help end global poverty. And we believe the best way to solve poverty is to start with children and teens.

Most kids born into poverty have very little control over their lives and futures, so we’re working to change that. We believe we can make a difference in the world and poverty is a solvable issue. We also believe once you break the cycle of poverty for one child, you’ll impact generations to come.