Yes! Multiple independent studies have proven the long-term effectiveness of sponsoring children and sponsorship programs in general. Independent university research evaluating World Vision’s programs specifically shows that participation leads to multiple improvements in kids’ lives, such as:

• Being happier and more hopeful
• Enjoying good health
• Having higher levels of school attendance

Teen participation in World Vision activities was associated with higher levels of social support, resilience, and life satisfaction.

The research also found that World Vision’s sponsorship programs foster collaboration and build bridges that strengthen communities. Across the five area programs that were evaluated, sponsorship was successful in involving vulnerable and marginalized groups as well as including communities of both Christian and non-Christian faiths.

When you sponsor through us, you’re connected with one specific boy or girl. But sponsored children don’t receive direct cash benefits. Instead, your monthly donation is pooled with other donations to fund development projects that benefit your sponsored child, their families, their community, and other children in need — ensuring you have maximum impact. And it works! Because of our community-focused solutions, for every child you help, four more children benefit, too.

The best organization to sponsor through depends on what’s most important to you. There are several reputable sponsorship organizations with different but effective approaches, all of which you can research on Charity Navigator. The World Vision difference stems from our goal — life in all its fullness for children, especially the most vulnerable. We value every boy and girl as a precious gift from God, made in His image and valuable in His sight. We see them as whole people, and seek to support their entire well-being: physical, emotional, social, and spiritual. This shapes our approach to working with children to become all God meant them to be — in body, mind, and spirit. If these values resonate with you, then you’re likely to agree that we will be the best organization for you to sponsor through and donate to.

Your sponsorship is an ongoing commitment that supports your sponsored boy or girl, their families, and their community, helping them overcome poverty for the long term. We partner with communities, typically for 10 to 15 years, until they can sustain improvements on their own. Your ongoing sponsorship allows you to witness the progress firsthand, for as long as you’re able.

With us, each child is matched with only one sponsor, and yes — they’re real people with real stories. Get to know your sponsored children and their families through letters and emails, photos, progress updates, and more. See your sponsored children and see firsthand how your donation is helping to transform their community and foster growing hope for the future.

When you sponsor children through us, you’ll get instant access to information about your sponsored child and their region of the map through a My World Vision account or by downloading the World Vision app! In your account, you can see the latest updates, view photos and videos, read progress reports, and more. You can also send your sponsored boy or girl an email right from the app. Your new sponsored child will write you an introductory letter, which will arrive in the mail.

As a sponsor, you’ll also get our award-winning World Vision magazine two times a year, with beautiful photos and stories about the work you help make possible. And once a year, you’ll get a progress report with updates about improvements in your child’s community and how your child has benefited from area-specific programs.

World Vision clearly identifies as a Christian organization, no matter where we go, and we demonstrate our Christian faith in inclusive and culturally sensitive ways that are appropriate for the people we serve. Wherever possible, we work and partner with local churches and Christian organizations to support and strengthen their ongoing ministry so that everybody can learn about God’s love for them, grow in their faith, and nurture hope. In communities where sharing the gospel is limited by law or culture, we believe that the selfless acts of our staff are a testimony to God’s love and goodness. We serve every person we can, of any faith or none.

No, writing letters to your sponsored children is not required. When you first sponsor, you’ll receive a letter from your boy or girl introducing themselves. You don’t have to respond, but we make it quick and easy for you to do so by sending your them an email through your My World Vision account (which our staff will print and deliver to them). You can also send a card or care package. Kids really value a life-enriching connection with their sponsors. Your encouragement can give your sponsored boy or girl hope and confidence — a tangible reminder of God’s love!

There are two ways to sponsor: You can 1) choose a child to sponsor based on their age, gender, location, or type of need, or 2) put the power to choose in a child’s hands by signing up to be chosen by a kid. You can donate monthly by credit card, debit card, or Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT).

To sponsor in another country through World Vision costs $39 per month. To maximize your monthly gifts, we combine them with other donations to fund programs that create long-term access to essential resources — like clean water, food, education, healthcare, and more — for your sponsored child, the community, and other vulnerable kids. Because of our community-focused solutions, for every child you help, four more children benefit, too! Everywhere we serve, our aim is to strengthen and empower the entire population, so all people have the chance to experience fullness of life.

Sponsorship pairs one caring sponsor with one kid in need in a mutually rewarding connection. When you sponsor through us, you support a boy or girl’s entire community to establish long-term access to essentials — like clean water, food, education, and more — according to the children’s  and community’s needs. You also get to connect with your sponsored child through letters, photos, small packages, and your prayers for them. Our programs are Christ-centered, children-focused, and community-based. Learn more about what makes our child sponsorship programs unique.

Sponsoring is the most personal, effective way to fight poverty — and support children and families as they work toward better lives and futures. When you sponsor through us, you build special relationships and encourage the most vulnerable people with hope for the future. Plus, your donations join forces with other sponsors to empower your child, their community, and other kids to lift themselves out of poverty for good. Everything we do has one aim — fullness of life for every child. Your support enables the physical, emotional, spiritual, and social well-being of those in need.

You can sponsor in almost any region:

• Africa
• Asia
• Central America
• Eastern Europe
• Middle East
• South America

Where are you most passionate about helping end poverty? What country or region is on your heart? Sponsoring through World Vision means you’ll support solutions that are tailored to equip your child’s neighborhood for lasting change. In fact, 99% of our staff work in their home region, and our area program staff live in or close to the districts where they serve — meaning they understand local challenges and opportunities and walk alongside families to achieve a shared dream of hope for children.