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What makes International Orphans Foundation, Inc. different from other childcare organizations?
How much does it cost to sponsor an orphan?
What is an IOF Sponsor?
What specific benefits will the child I sponsor receive?
Will I be the only person sponsoring this child?
If I must discontinue my sponsorship, what happens to the child I’m helping?
What length of time is my sponsorship for?
How can I communicate with the child I sponsor?
Will my sponsored child write to me?
Is prayer important in IOF sponsorship?
In what other ways will I learn about my sponsored child?
May I send gifts to my sponsored child?
How does IOF insure that my support actually benefits the child I sponsor?
What percentage of my monthly pledge is spent on program activities?
How can I see a copy of IOF’s most recent audited financial statement?
Are my contributions to IOF tax-deductible?
How did IOF begin, and what is its current status?
Is IOF affiliated with any church or denomination?
In which countries do you work?
What makes International Orphans Foundation, Inc. different from other childcare organizations?
At IOF we believe that the best aid program for an orphan is a permanent home and loving family. Our mission has two goals. First, we assist orphans with humanitarian aid. Second, we contact churches, present workshops and attend conferences with the sole purpose of recruiting prospective parents for orphans who are legally available for adoption.
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How much does it cost to sponsor an orphan?
Sponsoring a child through IOF costs only 93 cents per day, a total of $28 per month.
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What is an IOF Sponsor?
An IOF sponsor is a very special person, like you, who reaches out to an orphan in need. Sponsors are matched with a specific child. They have the opportunity to share their love, not only by helping financially, but also by sharing letters, pictures, and prayers with their sponsored child.
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What specific benefits will the child I sponsor receive?
There are many ways in which orphans benefit from their sponsors’ support. They include:
- Educational Opportunities
- Humanitarian aid in the form of medical care, clothing, and supplemental nutrition
- Most importantly, in finding a family to provide a permanent, loving home
In addition to receiving much needed physical care and educational assistance, your sponsored child will begin to feel part of a family. He can begin learning to share his life through your correspondence with him. He will begin to understand that there are people who care about him. Your continued love and support will help to build him up and give him, or her, a level of self-confidence he has never experienced before.
During this sponsorship time, IOF will diligently seek a permanent home and loving family for all orphans legally available for adoption. Just imagine, a precious child, once given up and abandoned, will know your love. And, with your support and prayers, he will someday share that love with his very own family!
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Will I be the only person sponsoring this child?
Yes. Although long distance, this is a very personal and very important relationship. No other IOF group or individual will sponsor the child you choose to help.
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If I must discontinue my sponsorship, what happens to the child I’m helping?
We will look for another sponsor for your child immediately, doing our very best to provide uninterrupted support of that orphan.
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What length of time is my sponsorship for?
Your sponsorship will last as long as your sponsored orphan remains in our program. This could be years, or months, depending on the situation of the orphan. Ideally, through the efforts of IOF, your child will be blessed to become an adopted child. If this happens, or if there are other changes in the status of the child, we will immediately assign you another orphan with whom you can share your love and support.
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How can I communicate with the child I sponsor?
Within your sponsored child’s personal information, you will find the name and address of a contact person, a volunteer from one of our indigenous faith-based partners. As soon as you receive this information, we encourage you to write and introduce yourself and your family to him or her. A picture of you or your family is always a pleasant surprise for an orphan. The volunteer will translate your letters, and share them with your sponsored orphan.
You may continue to write your sponsored child as often as you like. Letters and pictures are tangible evidence to an orphan that he is loved. They give him something to hold on to. They encourage and uplift him. And, the more he receives, the more those feelings of self-worth are reinforced.
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Will my sponsored child write to me?
Volunteers will assist the child in writing letters to you at least three times each year. They will serve as translators, and insure the letters are sent to you. This is an important part of sponsorship for both you and your sponsored child. Your sponsored child will be developing reading and writing skills, as well as a greater understanding of how to share his or her thoughts and feelings with you. In our homes and families we have the opportunity to practice this daily as we share our lives with our loved ones. Your sponsorship will give an orphan the chance to learn about this important aspect of family life.
We suggest you keep these letters to look at through the years. They can serve as a reminder of the important work you are doing in an orphan’s life. If you have children of your own, it can be an invaluable lesson in giving. Additionally, it can remind you to pray for the many orphans in need of permanent homes and loving families.
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Is prayer important in IOF sponsorship?
It is important to pray, not only for your sponsored child, but for the needs of orphans worldwide as well.
While the needs are many, some you might remember to pray for include: health, safety, developmental and physical growth, educational, emotional and spiritual growth.
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In what other ways will I learn about my sponsored child?
Through International Orphans Foundation, Inc. you will receive periodic updates regarding your orphan, as well as the work IOF is doing with other children in other nations.
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May I send gifts to my sponsored child?
Yes, you may. You may send gifts at any time, just to remind your sponsored child how much you care. We encourage you to remember special occasions, such as birthdays.
We suggest gifts be between $10 and $25. Area volunteer workers will purchase gifts for our sponsors, and insure the gifts are received by the sponsored child.
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How does IOF insure that my support actually benefits the child I sponsor?
IOF works closely with indigenous faith-based partners. Volunteers from those organizations will be watching over your sponsored child, insuring he or she receives all the benefits designated for that child. These volunteers report regularly to IOF to substantiate expenditures for their program.
In addition, internal and external audits are conducted regularly to ensure that funds are properly tracked, managed and allocated.
If at any time IOF becomes aware of inconsistencies, immediate action is taken to insure that aid reaches your sponsored child as intended.
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What percentage of my monthly pledge is spent on program activities?
International Orphans Foundation, Inc. is steadfastly committed to operating with integrity. Over 80 percent of our total budget is spent on program activities. Internal and external audits are conducted regularly to ensure that funds are properly tracked, managed and allocated.
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How can I see a copy of IOF’s most recent audited financial statement?
Financial reports are available upon request. For more information, please feel free to
contact us directly at 860-613-0777.
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Are my contributions to IOF tax-deductible?
Yes. All contributions, including sponsorship support and gifts, are tax deductible.
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How did IOF begin, and what is its current status?
The International Orphans Foundation, Inc. was established in 2001 by Alicia and Glenn Russo, themselves adoptive parents. Headquartered in Connecticut, the International Orphans Foundation, Inc. is a licensed non-profit organization dedicated to the premise that every child is a gift from God, and should be cherished.
Initially a grassroots effort, the International Orphans Foundation, Inc. has grown to a national organization.
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Is IOF affiliated with any church or denomination?
As a faith-based program, International Orphans Foundation, Inc. works with hundreds of indigenous churches representing several Christian denominations.
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In which countries do you work?
IOF has orphans available for sponsorship or adoption in many countries. These include Peru, Guatemala, Ukraine, and Costa Rica. In addition, we have a Journey of Hope program that works with Russian orphans.
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