Start Spreading the Word

Posted on behalf of Deron Denton

Last year was, in many ways, the Year of Giving Big. Warren Buffet pledged $37 billion dollars to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The Clinton Global Initiative hosted a conference that read like a “who’s-who” of philanthropy: non-profit, corporate and political leaders from across the globe pooled their expertise and wealth to tackle issues of poverty, climate change, global health and education.

In 2006, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to a Bangladeshi man who founded a bank that helps poor people by providing them affordable loans to start their own small businesses. U2 front man Bono seemed ubiquitous: he was at the White House, in Africa, and everywhere in between. Scores of other celebrities were not only getting involved with humanitarian causes – they were talking about it. (The fact that they talked about it bugged me. But more on that in a minute.)

The same trend appears to be continuing this year…the actions of the rich and famous are being replicated by the rest of us. It is estimated that two-thirds of Americans gave to charity last year.

The friends and family who began sponsoring children since I started working for Children International 3 years ago seem to confirm this trend. Most of them, I think, already donated time or money to humanitarian causes prior to signing up for sponsorship. But when they learned about what Children International does, they wanted to be a part of it.

I know that two of those friends have provided special donations to their children’s families. One of them told me, more than once, that sponsorship has made him more aware of just how fortunate he is. The fact that we are not one of the 3 billion people on the planet struggling to survive on less than two dollars a day, he says, makes us wealthy. At least, we are wealthy beyond the dreams of half the people with whom we share this planet.

I don’t know if you can relate to this or not, but I have a tendency to not talk about the charitable endeavors I am involved with. Somehow, I think, this cheapens it. I’m not sure where that comes from, but I’ve had that notion for a long time now. So when I see celebrities talking about their involvement with certain humanitarian causes, it tends to turn me off.

But I have come to realize just how eager people are to help the less fortunate. And if we are passionate about something, that passion is contagious. Letting friends, family and co-workers know about the philanthropy that energizes us is a way to get more people involved. The more people we get involved…well, I think you get the point.

Very few of us are famous. But that doesn’t matter in terms of getting other people to hop onboard the train of charitable giving. We can still spread the word. Even fewer of us are billionaires. Nonetheless, most of us can afford to support a humanitarian cause…even if it’s just a small, once-a-year gift.

And talking about it, in terms of how giving helps the recipients – and how giving is its own reward – is a great way to further the cause.

Driver Puts Poor Children in Victory Lane

NASCAR driver Juan Pablo Montoya gets the checkered flag for winning his first Nextel Cup race and giving impoverished children hope through Children International. The NASCAR road race in Sonoma, California, last Sunday was the first win for Montoya in 17 Nextel Cup starts.

The Colombian-born stock car champion donated $6,300 in 2006 to provide medical attention and therapy for children suffering from orthopedic health conditions. Montoya also funds a soccer school that provides 34 sponsored teens with training to help them improve their athletic skills.


“We have worked with Children International through our foundation in Colombia, and I have to say I am really grateful with all their help and support because thanks to them we have been able to create a foundation. I think it’s an amazing organization that has done so much for my country, and I am very grateful for that,” Montoya said in a 2006 interview.

Jim Cook, president and CEO of Children International, says, “Juan has always been a champion in our eyes. He has allowed us to give so many children in Colombia hope for the future. ”

Congratulations on your victory JP!

Got Questions?

Earlier this week, someone asked me (in front of a large group of people), “So…how much of what people give your organization actually goes to the children?”

It really felt good to be able to answer with confidence....

People who care enough to give also care enough to be concerned with how the money they give is spent. We feel this is one of the reasons so many of our sponsors have been with us for years – particularly those who have actually visited their sponsored children and seen their sponsorship dollars at work.

One of the things we really, really believe in is transparency. That’s why we welcome it when people check out the way we use sponsorship money. We believe we’re doing a good job of using what you give; however, we also want to know if there are ways we can improve.

That’s why we’re proud to share with you that we’ve been evaluated by a number of consumer protection groups – and that we’ve passed with flying colors! The American Institute of Philanthropy (AIP), Consumers Digest, BBBOnLine …all of these organizations agree that with 80% of our income being spent on programs that directly benefit sponsored children, giving through Children International is a wise way to channel your charitable contributions.

From time to time, you’ve probably had questions. Jennifer and I would love to answer any questions you may have on how Children International operates…or anything else you’d like to know about how we help children. Let us hear from you!