My Nonprofit Reviews
snkams155
Review for ChildFund International, Richmond, VA, USA
I began donating in 2010 when I lived in Maryland. I started out with three kids and gave faithfully every month. I contacted them, sent them stickers, letters and greetings. After having my child I had to scale back to sponsoring one child because I became the primary caretaker of our child. Over the last year I've become burdened by the constant letters about more donations. Every two weeks for the past couple of months I receive a letter telling me there's an emergency and they need me to donate to "save" my child. Next I receive emails telling me that my child needs a gift! And on top of that ChildFund then sends me some kind of printed gift to send to my child. They tell me it will cost $9 for "shipping and delivering", but I didn't believe that. I decide to go to the post office instead. I paid $2 to send the gift and got a letter from my child saying he received the letter and gift. Where does that other $7 go when someone chooses to send a gift through ChildFund? If something as simple as sending a letter is overpriced, what about the other donations people make?
I was preparing to send something else to my child today, then I get accosted with yet ANOTHER set of letters and emails telling me that I need to increase my donation, because my child already has so little. I don't need to look up what ChildFund is doing with their money. I already know they are spending WAY too much on fundraising. If you want to join ChildFund, get ready to constantly be hassled about not giving "enough" when you can give "more". I have an elderly family member that is struggling to pay the rent, I think it's time that I stop giving to Childfund, where they are unsatisfied with my $30/month, and give to someone that is grateful for whatever I can afford to give.
More Feedback
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
1. Stop making donors feel their contribution is "not enough". 2. Stop lying to donors and making them think that sending small, flat mail will cost $9 or more, when in fact USPS can send these letters for $2-$3. 3. Stop sending so much "emergency" mail to donors, ASK them if they want to receive letters when increased donations are needed, for floods, etc. Some people cannot AFFORD to give more! 4. Use your fundraising money to actually help the programs you sponsor.
Was your donation impactful?
Unlikely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
No
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
No
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2013
We appreciate your feedback. We have honored your request to stop receiving mailings. We understand that, like you, many of our sponsors and donors often make personal sacrifices to help a child in need, and we sincerely appreciate those efforts. The $9 contribution for the card covers the postal mailing costs and also includes the expenses of delivering to the child in-country and acknowledgement back to the sponsor. ChildFund places a high emphasis on stewardship and accountability. Last year, we devoted 82% of revenues to program services for children; 11 percent was used for fundraising so that we can reach more supporters and 7% went to management and general operations. For more information, please visit our website http://www.childfund.org/accountability and contact our Sponsor Care team at 800-776-6767.
