What Makes Chalice US Different from other Catholic Child Sponsorship Programs?

a group of women in India sitting together learning to empower their families and themselves.

What makes Chalice US different from other Catholic nonprofits? Chalice US empowers families and communities of sponsored children by implementing Direct Family Funding (DFF). Within this model, guardians are empowered to make positive changes for their children, themselves and their communities.

Direct Family Funding (DFF)

  • Sponsorship funds go directly to child guardians (typically mothers or grandmothers).
  • Funds are deposited into personal bank accounts.
  • Guardians must belong to a Small Community Group (SCG) and be actively engaged.*
  • SCGs are supported on an ongoing basis by sponsor site staff.
  • Families determine and address the needs of their own families (within the context of education, nutrition, health, clothing and/or family or community development) with the assistance of a Social/Field Worker.
  • If a guardian or parent is not capable of managing sponsorship funds properly (e.g. addictions, mental health issues, etc.) other arrangements are made to ensure that the child receives their sponsorship benefits and that the family is supported.
  • Families participating in DFF receive financial literacy training on subjects like managing household finances, budgets, loans, balancing expenses, micro-finance and others.

Advantages of DFF over Typical Child Sponsorship Programs

  • Parents or guardians determine what their child needs not the sponsor site
  • This offers a more dignified approach to administering sponsorship funds
  • Many opportunities to empower families and communities are provided
  • Sponsor site staff is relieved of tasks of purchasing, inventory, and benefit distribution
  • Staff is freed up to provide training and counseling to families to assist in management of sponsorship funds.

Under the leadership of Fr. Pat Cosgrove and the direction of Fr. Rich LoBianco, the child sponsorship model is being used in a responsible way. Your sponsored child still directly receives your donation, but their entire family and therefore their community becomes stronger too. When you sponsor a child, not only do you make a connection with them, but their family as a whole feels your love.

*Ed. Note: Regionally, SCGs are also known as "Family Circles" and "Circle Groups".

Our ImpactLinda Gurklis