Project sponsorship and feedback

Why can't we sponsor our own project or programme?

CAFOD must ensure that its money is spent in the most effective way. Funds raised for a specific project must, by law, be given to the programme for which they were intended, regardless of whether they are needed or not.

This could mean that certain programmes may receive too much money and others too little.

Providing feedback to supporters about their chosen project would also increase administrative costs.

To avoid this, CAFOD does not encourage fundraising for a specific project.

Donations, which aren’t raised for a specific project, but instead for CAFOD’s general funds, can be directed to wherever the need is greatest at any given time.

Why doesn't CAFOD offer child sponsorship?

CAFOD recognises the good intentions of those who give generously to provide for a child.

However CAFOD does not support child sponsorship because we believe that such schemes are more of a response to the needs of the donor than the needs of the child.

Child sponsorship schemes are expensive to run and administer meaning that less money goes to those who need it most.

There is also a danger with child sponsorship schemes that they can create inequality within communities, and that correspondence between the relatively rich sponsoring family can produce false hopes or feelings of inferiority in the sponsored child.

CAFOD's approach is to work with in partnership with communities overseas.

Will CAFOD be able to report how the donation has been spent, for instance, if given by a parish?

CAFOD will not always be able to say with absolute certainty what a particular donation has been spent on.

Exceptions to this would include money raised for a specific emergency.

What if my parish, school or local group wants to fundraise for a specific project or programme?

CAFOD would encourage community fundraisers to use a particular project as a focus for their fundraising, and to see it as a good example of how their money may be spent rather than as the actual recipient of their money.

CAFOD values highly the trust placed in it by supporters to find the best use of funds based on current needs.

see also

If none of the above covers your enquiry, you can contact us directly

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