Your support changes lives. By writing and connecting with your sponsored child, you give more than financial help—you share hope, encouragement, and love.
Children at NPH look forward to hearing from their sponsors. Your letters and messages help build a relationship rooted in care and trust. Even a short note can brighten a child’s day and remind them that someone is thinking of them.
Below, you’ll find everything you need to know about writing to your sponsored child, including how to send correspondence, what to write, what items you can send, and the guidelines that help protect children and sponsors.
How to Send Mail to Your Sponsored Child
Our correspondence guidelines help protect the safety, privacy, and dignity of both children and sponsors.
To send a card or letter by mail:
· Place your letter in an unsealed envelope and label it with your sponsored child’s full name, country, and your name. (To avoid confusion, please do not put return addresses on the envelopes.)
· Place the unsealed envelope into another envelope and mail it to the national NPH USA office:
Child’s Full Name c/o NPH USA 20 North Wacker Drive
Child’s Full Namec/o NPH USA20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 4000Chicago, IL 60606-3193
What to Write to Your Sponsored Child
These tips can help you make the most of writing to your sponsored child:
· Keep your letters simple. Write about things your sponsored child will understand, such as family, pets, hobbies, and activities.
· Encourage your sponsored child’s learning and interests such as art, dance, sports, or school subjects.
· Ask specific questions and highlight things you have in common.
· Share encouragement and positive messages. Your words help build confidence and self-esteem.
· Avoid discussing material possessions, which can emphasize differences.
· Include photos of yourself and your family when appropriate. These often become meaningful keepsakes.
What You Can Send to Your Sponsored Child
If you would like to send a small item along with your correspondence, please follow these guidelines:
· Postcards and photos are welcome and meaningful.
· Flat items such as bookmarks, stickers, coloring pages, flat magnets, and prayer cards are appreciated.
· Flat and lightweight clothing items (such as shirts or socks) in modest quantities may be sent. Please contact our team in advance for sizing guidance.
· Please limit gifts to the size of a 12” x 9” envelope or similar.
Please do not send: money, food, jewelry, large toys, battery-operated items, or bulky or expensive gifts.
Correspondence Guidelines for Child Sponsorship
· Please do not include direct contact information such as physical addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, social media handles, or workplace details.
· All correspondence must be sent through the NPH USA national office.
· Handle child photos and personal information with care and respect. Please do not post them publicly or on social media.
· NPH reviews all correspondence to ensure it does not contain inappropriate, abusive, exploitative, or unsafe content.
· Letters from children are also reviewed to prevent inappropriate requests or solicitations.
These guidelines help ensure that every exchange remains safe, respectful, and supportive for everyone involved.
Manage your sponsorship, write to your sponsored child, and learn how to use the portal by watching this short video.
Sharing is a core value at NPH. The Sharing Fund ensures that additional gifts benefit all children, so no one feels left out and every child can experience joy, celebration, and care beyond their basic needs.
Where Your Gift Goes
Below are examples of how Sharing Fund gifts are used to create meaningful experiences for children across NPH homes.
1 board game OR 4 movie tickets OR 30 popsicles.
4 zoo tickets OR 25 boxes of crayons OR 25 ice cream cones.
7 waterpark passes OR 25 boxes of crayons OR 125 ice cream cones.
A trip to the movies for 65 children, including popcorn and soda.
The prices listed represent averages at the NPH homes. Each donation is contributed to the Sharing Fund and pooled with others to support gifts, outings, and special experiences at NPH’s discretion. Gifts to NPH USA, Federal Tax ID #65-1229309, are tax deductible as provided by law.
The OneFamily program at NPH supports children who have transitioned from NPH homes back to their families. While some children remain in NPH care until adulthood, others are placed temporarily due to family hardship or child welfare referrals. In line with United Nations guidelines for alternative care, OneFamily provides ongoing family support so parents and caregivers can safely care for their children and protect their rights, wellbeing, and development.
Your sponsorship continues to provide education, healthcare, and emotional support to children in the OneFamily program. Sponsors receive two updates per year and are encouraged to write letters of encouragement, which are deeply meaningful to the children and families.
The OneFamily program supports children and families in Bolivia, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Peru.
This section explains how NPH provides ongoing care and support to children and families through the OneFamily program and child sponsorship services. Here you’ll find details about the types of support children receive, how family reintegration is managed, and answers to common sponsor questions
How Children and Families Are Supported After Reunification
When a child transitions from an NPH home back to their family, NPH creates a personalized care plan tailored to that child’s needs and circumstances. A team of qualified specialists develops and manages this plan to support the child’s wellbeing, education, and safety over time.
During the first six months after reintegration, NPH teams conduct intensive home visits to monitor the child’s health, emotional wellbeing, academic progress, and overall development. Children continue to receive annual health and wellness exams and support for major medical needs.
Families receive a monthly stipend to help cover essential costs such as food, clothing, school tuition, uniforms, and transportation. Children are also encouraged to remain connected to their NPH family through visits, events, and ongoing communication, helping maintain stability, belonging, and emotional support.
How does my sponsorship donation support my Godchild?
Your monthly donation will help NPH provide the full breadth of care needed for the safety, growth and wellbeing of your sponsored child. This includes food, clothing, shelter, health care, an education, and/or other provisions to the children in your Godchild’s home—whether this is a child in an NPH-operated home or one we sponsor in the community. Your donation is stewarded by NPH staff in that country and not given directly to your Godchild.
Am I the only Godparent to my child?
As we know, “It takes a village to raise a child,” and raising an NPH child (affectionally known as pequeños) is no exception. On average, each child has approximately $500 per month in basic needs. As such, children may have more than one Godparent, and what a blessing that is!
May I sponsor more than one child?
Absolutely. Each child in each of the nine countries where we operate is different but in great need of support. Whether sponsoring a child in an NPH home or in the community, the core values and great positive impact you will make is the same with every child.
After registering to sponsor a child, what happens next?
You will soon receive an NPH Sponsor Welcome Packet which will introduce you to your Godchild and all the ways you may communicate with him/her. If you opt to receive the packet via standard mail, it should arrive within two weeks. If you request delivery via email, you should receive the electronic version shortly after sign-up.
How long will my Godchild need a sponsor/Godparent?
You can be a sponsor/Godparent to your Godchild for as long as he or she is being served by NPH. We encourage you to continue your sponsorship for as long as you are able, because children need love and encouragement every day of their lives.
After secondary school, each NPH youth has the opportunity to finish a technical course or pursue a university degree. In return, those that attend college must volunteer for a year of service (año de servicio or año familiar) at NPH before or after the completion of their studies.) During this, you can continue to sponsor your Godchild even through their year of service.
Occasionally, there are changes in circumstances in the life of a child or their family that merit a full transition to independence from our programs and support. In these cases, although NPH will remain a resource for future support through our alumni program (“Hermanos Mayores” – Older Siblings), the support no longer merits the continuation of a child sponsorship. In these cases, a Godparent will be offered the opportunity to transfer sponsorship to a new child. It is important to note that the path of each youth is as unique as they are. Most youth leave our NPH programs when they feel fully prepared to live independently. Some youth leave NPH and start working after secondary school, while others attend high school, vocational training or go on to university. It is our goal for all of the children we serve to reach full independence equipped with tools and preparation to support their success. When your Godchild graduates or completes their personal life plan with NPH, we will offer the opportunity to continue your sponsorship with another child in great need.
I’ve been notified that my sponsored child is transitioning from living at an NPH home to residing with their biological family. What does this mean?
While many children in our care live at our NPH homes until they reach independence, others may be entrusted to our full care only temporarily because their family is unable to fully provide for them or because they are referred to NPH through the local child welfare system. In accordance with the United Nations Guidelines for Alternative Care released in 2010, NPH has developed specific programs and parameters to provide a continuum of care to children who transition from our homes to reintegrate with family, ultimately helping to strengthen the families and communities we serve. This is simply a change in living circumstances and is not an end to your child sponsorship. While your Godchild no longer resides at the NPH home, they very much need continued support to survive and thrive.
Can I stay in touch with my Godchild when he or she leaves NPH?
If the specific circumstances of your Godchild’s reintegration with their biological family allows for, and merits the consistent continuation of ongoing support through one of our family support programs, you will continue to receive updates during your support. However, if the circumstances allow for full independence as a result of the reintegration and your Godchild in turn leaves our NPH programs entirely, they are no longer in our active care and we are not able to forward your correspondence. In this case, we will notify you and encourage you to sponsor another child in need of your support.
What if I am unable to commit to a relationship with a child but I want to support and get involved with the children in one of the countries you support?
Some sponsors have a particular interest in the children in one of the countries where we operate and so we offer the “Mi Casa Sponsorship.” With this alternative, your sponsorship dollars support a particular home and community instead of a specific child. As such, your donation helps provide essentials for all the children there and you will receive regular country updates to keep abreast of news and the tremendous impact of your support. Click here to learn more.
May I request an update on my Godchild?
Yes! Please contact our sponsorship team at 1-888-201-8880 or sponsorship@nphusa.org. Update requests may take 2-4 weeks to process. (It may be more or less, depending on the child’s location.)
How can I connect with my Godchild?
There are multiple meaningful ways you can connect with your Godchild, including through handwritten letters, electronic correspondence, and even physical visits to meet them in their NPH home country and community. You have the opportunity to develop a special life-long bond with your sponsored child that is sure to enrich your own life. Please consult the Sponsorship Guide in your Welcome Packet for specific details.
Please click here to register to the e-correspondence portal.
May I connect with my Godchild through social media?
No, for safety and privacy, we ask that Godparents do NOT contact their Godchild through social media.
May I post about my Godchild on social media?
Yes, you may, but with limitations. Sharing the story of your sponsorship may inspire others to become Godparents as well, however we ask Godparents to respect the privacy of the children and their families by refraining from posting personal information about their Godchild, such as the child’s full name, date of birth, and community information (e.g., name and location). Additionally, federal law in some of the countries where we operate prohibit sharing photos of children under age 18.
To protect the privacy of both our sponsors and our children, no outreach or exchange of contact details should take place directly between sponsors and their sponsored children, including through social media such as Facebook.
If you have questions or concerns about our policy or have been contacted directly by your sponsored child through social media, please contact our sponsorship team at 1-888-201-8880 or sponsorship@nphusa.org.
What if my Godchild reaches out directly via Social Media, email or other means?
Depending on the age of your sponsored child, if they are in high school or university, for example, this may very well happen. We ask that you simply let us know so we can help redirect the communication through appropriate channels and help navigate the interactions. Don’t worry… your Godchild won’t get in trouble. We just want to help ensure privacy and protection for both you and your Godchild.
Why have I seen my Godchild in NPH USA external communications but s/he has a different name?
Whenever NPH children are featured in publicity, we use an alias to protect their privacy.
May I visit my Godchild at the NPH home?
Yes! NPH USA organizes trips to the NPH homes on a regular basis, making arrangements for accommodations, ground transportation, and activities. If you are the Godparent to a child who lives in the community, then extra planning is often necessary to ensure a successful visit. These visits are the backbone of NPH; providing life-long connections between NPH supporters and NPH children. Click here for our upcoming trips.
For all the information you need about making a visit to your NPH Godchild, please contact travel@nphusa.org.
May I send a gift to my Godchild?
Yes, you may send small gifts, such as stickers, drawings, photos, and cards to your Godchild through NPH USA. Please make sure that your gift is flat and fits into a 6” X 9” envelope.
Due to increased international shipping costs and a variety of different customs regulations, NPH USA cannot accept packages larger than 6" X 9". However, you are able to donate to the Sharing Fund, which allows the staff at the home to purchase a gift for your Godchild on your behalf. Click here to learn more.
If you need more information about sending gifts, please don’t hesitate to contact us at sponsorship@nphusa.org or 1-888-201-8880.
How much is my sponsorship, and is my contribution tax deductible?
Sponsorship is a minimum of $50 per month, and your contribution is fully tax deductible.
Why might my billing reference “Friends of the Orphans"?
If you pay for your sponsorship by credit card, the charge may appear as “Friends of the Orphans,” which is dba (doing business as) NPH USA.
Can I make sponsorship gifts electronically?
Yes, your sponsorship gift can be charged directly to your credit card or deducted from your checking or savings account.
Is there an option for automatic payments?
Yes, automatic payments are an efficient way to sponsor a child. For all the information you need to set up automatic payments, please click here: Start automatic payment.
When can I expect to receive my tax letter?
In January, we will send you a receipt detailing all your tax-deductible donations for the previous year.
Can my employer match my Sponsorship gifts?
Many employers match gifts. Please click here to learn more and search for your employer.
How can I change my giving method or update my credit/debit card information?
If you’d like to update your payment method or details, reach out to giftprocessing@nphusa.org.
To make a one-time gift, please click here.
Please note that if you pay for your sponsorship by credit card, the charge may appear as "Friends of the Orphans".
How can I change my mailing address?
Click here to change your mailing address.
How can I change my e-mail address?
Click here to change your e-mail address.
Can I cancel my sponsorship?
Yes. To cancel your sponsorship, please send an e-mail to sponsorship@nphusa.org or call 1-888-201-8880. Please note that if you are paying by credit card or automatic bank withdrawal, we need a minimum notice of five business days to cancel the next donation.
Are there additional ways I can help the children of NPH?
There are many other ways to help besides sponsorship!
How do I know my donations are being used appropriately?
Not-for-profit organizations must be fully accountable to the public. We follow accounting procedures established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and are audited annually by an independent CPA firm. We publish an Impact Report outlining our income and expenses. (You may call 888-201-8880 or e-mail us to request a copy.)
We proudly adhere to the Donor Bill of Rights and have been noted by Charity Navigator for our responsible stewardship of donor funds.
Click here for more financial information, including our latest Internal Revenue Service Form 990.
What is your privacy policy?
NPH USA proudly adheres to the Donor Bill of Rights and is committed to respecting the privacy of our donors. When personal information is provided to us by a donor, it will only be used to support the donor’s relationship with NPH USA. NPH USA retains donor information on file to provide gift receipts for tax purposes and to tailor subsequent communications to the donor. Information is used to complete a transaction, communicate with the donor, and update the donor on child sponsorship, special events and other news. All donor information is kept in a password-protected database on a secure server and is carefully managed. For electronic donations made by credit card or bank account, all donor information is in a password-protected system and stored in a secure location. Credit card and bank account information is used only for processing donated funds and is not retained for any other purposes.
To receive important mailings or e-mail from NPH USA, we will need an up-to-date email address. If, at any time you wish to be removed from mailing lists, you can notify us by phone, e-mail, or mail and we will remove your specified contact information.
If you have questions about your sponsored child, your correspondence, or your sponsorship account, our team is here to help.
Explore these tools and guides to help you manage your sponsorship, stay connected with your sponsored child, and learn more about your impact.
Sponsorship Guide
Make a One-Time Sponsorship Payment
Frequently Asked Questions
Write to Your Sponsored Child