Frequently Asked Questions

General FAQs

Answers to frequently asked questions. If you have further queries, please reach out - we'd love to connect!

Who is ChildFund?

ChildFund is a development and humanitarian aid organisation dedicated to working with children, families, and communities.For over 80 years ChildFund has worked to help people realise their true potential and create a better life for themselves. ChildFund operates in 60 countries worldwide and is helping over 12 million children and families in need regardless of their religion, gender, creed, or national origin.

Why is poverty still an issue?

Poverty is a complex issue. There is no one reason for poverty that is true for all communities and so there are no one-size-fits-all answers.

World events like the COVID-19 pandemic, economic crises, climate change, and conflict also contribute to poverty experienced by communities around the world.

Our vision for a world where every child can thrive sustains our belief that positive change is possible. We remain committed to addressing barriers caused by poverty and supporting children and their families the best we can. We’re grateful for supporters who join us on this journey.

Why do I receive communication from CCF and Christian Children’s Fund?

ChildFund used to be Christian Children's Fund and more recently CCF. As an international agency we embarked on the change to ChildFund in 2009 and you may still get correspondence from your child and their national office on Christian Children's Fund and CCF material.

Why is regular giving important?

A regular gift or recurring donation allows ChildFund to plan ahead with confidence and ensure children receive the ongoing care they need. It also helps us to be more efficient.

Does ChildFund help all children?

As a private non-sectarian organisation, ChildFund provides help to children in need regardless of their race, religion, or gender. We respect the cultural heritage, personal pride, and dignity of the families that we assist.

How is ChildFund held accountable?

ChildFund has comprehensive auditing procedures to ensure that money is spent effectively.

ChildFund New Zealand is audited annually by KPMG and the Statement of Accounts in published in our Annual Reports every year.

Our New Zealand based Programme Managers typically visit our projects to carry out specific monitoring and evaluation work up to 2 times per year.

Supporters are welcome to contact our team for updates on our projects and programming at any time.

Why do you spend money on printout and letters?

Fundraising activities and engaging with supporters are an important part of supporting children around the world. Our team are committed to producing materials that are as cost effective as possible. We also work closely with partners and suppliers who provide generous discounts on materials and services.

We monitor the results of our fundraising activities closely and in most cases, for every dollar we spend, we raise a further give dollars. This additional income is vital in supporting children in the communities we work alongside.

Can I volunteer to work in a ChildFund supported community?

We do not offer this opportunity to sponsors and do not run volunteer programmes for visitors. There are several reasons for this:

ChildFund’s policy is to engage with local people as volunteers to help increase their skill base, to empower the local community and provide local role models for the children.
Strict child protection policies preclude sponsors from spending an extended period of time with their child or in their child’s community. Visitors are accompanied by a ChildFund staff member at all times.
Visitors are an added stress on community resources. Even when staff from New Zealand or other Alliance members visit, we try very hard to minimise the time of our visit and the burden we place on local people and resources.

Still have Questions?

Get in touch with our team today.

Gifts in Wills FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions about bequests and legacy gifts.

Why should I include ChildFund in my Will?

A Will ensures that your wishes can be carried out after death. If you die interstate - without making a will - there are laws that determine what happens to your money and property. These might be quite different to what you would have wished and for many in New Zealand who die without making a will, this results in problems for those who are left behind. It can also result in your estate going to the Government.

When should I write a Will?

We encourage everybody aged over 18 to write a Will. You don’t need to wait for a significant life event, such as a marriage or the purchase of a new home, to write a Will.

Why should I leave a donation in my Will to ChildFund?

ChildFund’s projects ensure that change is community-owned and community-led.We cannot know what our communities will look like in fifty years’ time or where our help will be needed most.What we do know is that our help will always be needed.Your donation will go towards community-led, socially responsible projects that provide opportunities and pathways out of poverty.

What if I change my mind?

You are free to change your mind at any time. There is no obligation to inform us that you will be leaving a bequest to ChildFund.

What is a residual bequest?

A residual bequest is a gift that is made after family and friends have been taken care of, and after all debts and expenses have been paid. Residual bequests are typically a percentage of what is left over from your estate.You can leave anything from 5% to 100% of your residual estate to ChildFund. In call cases, your gift will be invested to make lasting change.

Does ChildFund need to know that I’ve left a bequest?

You are under no obligation to inform ChildFund that you have left a gift in your Will.One of the reasons we would like to know is to ensure that you are thanked and are kept up to date with our work.If you do decide to let us know, you do not need to tell us the value of your gift. Notification of a bequest will always be treated with respect and kept in confidence.

Do I have enough money to leave a gift in my Will to ChildFund?

Every gift makes a difference. Alongside others who share our values, your gift will be invested to make transformational change for the children and communities they impact.

Still have Questions?

Get in touch with our team today.

Gifts that Grow FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions about Gifts That Grow, ChildFund's charity gifts catalogue.

How does Gifts that Grow work? If I buy a goat, am I really buying a goat?

Gifts that Grow is ChildFund’s charity gift catalogue. It’s a collection of items that represent the life-changing work that we’re doing around the world right now.

For example, if you gift a goat, you’re giving a donation to our Livestock and Farming projects. If you gift school supplies, you’re supporting our Education and Learning projects.

Funds are pooled together and sent to our community partners to support the implementation and delivery of all our projects. For example, this could include the procurement of goats or school supplies from local businesses.

Should ChildFund receive funds greater than needed for any item or project, your donations will be directed to a related project wherever needed most.

What happens if too much of a certain item is purchased?

If we receive more funds than required for a particular item, funds will be directed towards a related project – whether it be livelihoods, health, education, or the protection of children. This allows us to direct donations to where the need is greatest.

What is the purpose of the cards?

For every item you buy from the Gifts that Grow catalogue, you can choose to receive a beautiful greeting card representing your gift. You can then write a special message inside, and give to loved ones, friends, or colleagues to tell them about the difference they’ve made in a child’s life.

Can I make a Gifts that Grow purchases at any time of the year?

Yes! The catalogue is updated every year to reflect the work that we are doing. Gifts that Grow gifts are available to be purchased at any time until the following year’s catalogue is released. Stock up now, so you are prepared for any occasion!

Still have Questions?

Get in touch with our team today.

About Us

At ChildFund, we’re committed to creating long-lasting sustainable impact. Our unique approach empowers communities to achieve self-reliance, leading to increased independence among families, improved health, education, and confidence in children, and a sense of purpose among young people.

OUR PURPOSE

We see the potential in every child. And we know you see it too

Our work is centred around helping children and youth to thrive. We work alongside local partners to implement programmes that improve child wellbeing and support communities on their development journey of reaching self-reliance.

Our Impact

Thousands of children worldwide are positively impacted by the support of ChildFund and our caring supporters. Through comprehensive plans (Road Maps), we can create lasting change where children and communities can become self-sustainable and thrive.

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Our Approach

It takes a holistic approach to help children thrive. We build meaningful relationships in communities and collaborate with local organisations to implement programmes and solutions that address barriers caused by poverty. The ultimate goal is for each community to achieve self-reliance, where local organisations and families can continue their journey independently.

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OUR PURPOSE

We see the potential in every child. And we know you see it too

Our Impact

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Our Approach

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Stories and Updates

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DONATE TO CHILDFUND

Your donation today will go towards unleashing the potential within every child. Your support enables ChildFund to partner with dedicated communities to ensure children are educated, nourished, protected from harm and have a sense of wellbeing.