2 people found this review helpful
Review from CharityNavigator ChildFund International
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July 3, 2011
2 people found this review helpful
I have been a CCF Sponsor for many years. Each year on my sponsored child's birthday I send a $100 cash gift. For this service I was charged $2.50 over and above the amount of the gift to the child. This year I find that CCF is taking 20% of the money($20.00), intended for the child and his family, for this service.
When I originally became involved with CCF it was my understanding that my monthly contribution went directly to provide services for my sponsored child, but now in rereading their mission statement I find that they say that they combine the monthly contributions to help people in the area where my sponsored child lives.
Recently, I received a telephone call from a Childfund Fundraiser trying to get me to agree over the phone to sponsor more children.
The more that I hear the more this is starting to sound like an organization that thinks they know best what to do with my money.
Kind of reminds me of the government.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I have always been satisfied with the performance of CCF until now.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Return to functioning with the children's best interests and the wishes of the sponsors as their first priority.
June 30, 2011
My family has been a donor to CFI for several years now. I am a mother to 4 children and find that children's charities hold a special place in my heart. With so many charities out there it is important to find one where your money is best spent. I am impressed with all of ChildFund successes. Thank you for doing what is obviously a labor of love.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
sponsoring a child and I have received gifts from the ChildFund catalogue.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
add more TV commercials. I think these can be very effective, reaching right into the living rooms of possible donors.
June 28, 2011
2 people found this review helpful
I've been a donor for more than 20 years, and when the child I currently have is finished with ChildFund, I will be finished too. They used to be a good charity back when it was Christian Children's Fund, but now they are in the business of ripping off donors. The new policy of taking 20% of any money gift to your child for "processing" is a complete highjack! It doesn't seem bad if you are only giving $20, but if you want to give your child $100 they take $20! You don't have to look far to find much better charities, PLEASE DO! I am giving them a one star rating only because the system won't let me give them NO STARS!!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
when I have called my concerns were met with disrespect and indifference.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
change back to the way CCF used to operate.
June 27, 2011
After more than 10 years of sponsoring a child in Brazil, I came to be very
disenchanted with ChildFund International. The letters from my child were all the same--from age 5 to age 15 plus--even when the 'child's' favorite subject was English never did I receive a letter written by my child. The handwriting was all the same and I came to believe it was all a scam. Year after year, I sent money for birthdays and Christmas....usually $50 per occasion but sometimes $100. Long before ChildFund announced it would skim 20% of the gifts, they were ALREADY skimming off the gifts! I no longer trust this charity and I don't even know if the 'child' I sponsored even exists!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I have come to question whether or not my sponsored 'child' even exists! I sent money to this child for gift and I sent the monthly donation faithfully and now I don't even know if the child I came to love even exists!
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
STOP THE GREED. Stop skimming off of gifts to children. Let the older children write their own letters. How can a child write letters in Portuguese in exactly the same handwriting for more than 10 years? It doesn't make sense and I think ChildFund International is scamming donors!
June 17, 2011
I have sponsored children through Christian Children's Fund - now ChildFund - for over 30 years. I was very sad when they shed their Christian identity. I tried to dialog with two of their staff members over the change when it happened and was extremely dissatisfied with the way they skirted my questions.
I still have three children sponsored with ChildFund, and I will continue to support them, but I will not replace them when they graduate from the program.
I sent $20 to a child for his birthday recently and he only received $16. That much of a bite out the gift is unacceptable to me, knowing how much value the money has overseas.
I have already begun to sponsor a child with World Vision, and my strategy is to transfer all my support to that organization over time.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Received letters from children.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I would make sure the children receive the full value of the gifts sponsors send.
1 person found this review helpful
June 12, 2011
1 person found this review helpful
I was happy with this organization when it was the Christian Children's Fund, when I first became a sponsor 27 years ago. Now, not so much. They take way too much money out of the donation before giving it to the child. The other day I received a notepad with my sponsored child's name on it, with a request to send it back to the organization with a donation. Where is the logic in this? Why didn't they just sent the notepad to the child? I don't intend to stay with this organization after my sponsored child comes of age. I'd rather find another organization now, but that doesn't seem fair to the child.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
N/A
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I would take less out of the donation, and stop the gimmicks such as the notepad mentioned above.
June 2, 2011
I have sponsored a child for a number of years -- since before my own children were born. And it's been a fantastic experience. I've learned so much about her country, her way of life, her family environment, and most of it leaves me speechless. To know that I can help such a beautiful child, even in such a small way, is so humbling. I've received letters from her, and from her family members, as well as drawings. And when I look at the pictures she's drawn, and I know they are for me -- that's an incredible feeling. This little person on the other side of the globe took time out of her day to draw me a picture. It's very special. Over the years I've also received photographs of my sponsored child. And I've seen her grow taller, but still, so thin. And I see her clothes, and cannot help but to compare them with the brightly colored, well-fitting clothes my own children wear. Though comparisons like this are of course saddening... the experience of sponsoring a child has brought something so unique and wonderful to my life. I think every year there is something else I could put that money towards. And when I know that I'm not going to spend it, but rather share it, I feel at peace. I would recommend ChildFund to anyone wishing to add a new dimension to their lives. Every letter I've ever written has been answered, and every donation I've sent has brought me a heart-felt thank-you. Whenever I've had to contact the national office I've had a quick response and positive experience. I don't feel like my donation is going "out there" somewhere. I feel like I am actually connected to this little person, and when I get the letters detailing what she spent her birthday money on, again, I am humbled. It's easy to get caught up in the "there are so many organizations out there, I don't know which is best." From my point of view, ChildFund is one of the absolute best. I took a chance on ChildFund, and I am so glad to have this in my life.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
The updates I receive about my sponsored child, and the continuing effors of ChildFund in her home country.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I don't know. It's been a great experience.
May 31, 2011
I've been sponsoring children through Child Fund International for over 25 years now. I have such admiration for this wonderful organization and would encourage anyone who is considering sponsoring a child to go for it! Words can't express how rewarding sponsorship has been for me.
I started sponsoring one little girl in India in 1985, added a young boy in Bolivia in 1987, and now sponsor six children. Each one is different, but special in their own way. We exchange letters and it is so gratifying to hear about their successes, see how their confidence grows and know that CFI and my sponsorship has really made a difference in their lives.
Here are some examples of the wonderful things "my kids" are accomplishing:
Mae, in the Philippines, is now attending college, studying Electronics & Communication Engineering.
Deekshith, in India, is studying for a Bachelor of Commerce degree.
Mariama, in The Gambia, is first in her class and plans on becoming a nurse.
I am so proud of them, and am really not sure that all this would have happened without the support from CFI.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I correspond with the children and receive annual progress reports on the child and the project.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I wouldn't change a thing.
More feedback...
Was your donation impactful?
Definitely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
May 26, 2011
1 person found this review helpful
I am extemely unhappy with CFI. I have been a sponsor for years (since it was Christian Children's Fund) and I am not sure what happened when they changed the name from Christian Children's Fund to CFI, but there is a marked difference in this organization for the worst. The last three cash gifts to one of my sponsored children have not been received as far as I am aware. The first time I called to ask if she received it since I had not received an acknowledgement, I was told "I can guarantee she received it". After the third concurrent occrance, I do not believe them. I used to suport all of their endeavors, but no more. I will not drop my current sponsored children since I have a commitment to them, but I will not sponsor another child through this organization. I am also disappointed that they dropped "Christian" from their name. I was led to believe that they were sharing God's word through their missions which I have since found out is not the case. If one of your goals is that your sponsored child learn about the Gospel, this is not the organization for you.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
N/A
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
N/A
May 25, 2011
When money is tight, you watch every dollar you give away very carefully. We have cut back our giving to only a very few organizations and CFI is definitely one of them. Their work on behalf of children worldwide is outstanding and you can trust that every dollar you send is spent appropriately.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
their support for children based on what I have read.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
increase their publicity so more people will know about their good work.
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