F E A T U R E
Partnerships Helping Children
by Annie Tobey
artnerships: people helping expanded other programs. The Haven Fund
P
people…help people. It’s not looks out for children who haven’t yet been
a new concept, but it weaves chosen by a sponsor. The Global Pantry Fund,
itself through the history of Warm Clothing Fund and Toy Drive target
Children, Incorporated and into specific needs. The Seeds of Hope annual
its contemporary operations. fund is for unrestricted giving, covering anything
Their partnerships extend from Richmond, from basic operating expenses to emergency
Virginia and other urban locations, to the disaster relief, such as the recent typhoons and
Appalachian Mountains, to American Indian monsoons.
reservations, and into 23 other countries, A current project in Bambu, Costa Rica,
helping impoverished children. a farmers’ market, illustrates their work with
The partnership concept was apparent the communities in which their children live as
from the very beginning. Founder Jeanne well as their partnership strategy. “Not only
Clarke Wood came from a long line of are we going to make a difference in the lives
philanthropists, who encouraged her heart of the children, but now we’re also reaching
for helping children—as founders of Christian into the family itself and helping them be able
Children’s Fund over 20 years earlier, Mrs. to support themselves,” explains Liz. “We are
Wood’s parents understood. still proponents of and committed to helping
Jeanne Clarke Wood’s sense of mission to provide for the basic needs of the children,”
developed when she traveled to Guatemala Liz adds, “but now we’re trying to go a step
in the 1960s—she was in her upper 40s— beyond that, so that in 10 years they’re not still
and saw the poor living conditions of dependent on us, but they are able to sustain
children and families. She started with 95 themselves.”
children, solicited donations from her friends In Bambu, Children, Incorporated is
and contacts, took out magazine ads, and partnering with Tropical Adventures, a
raised money. The organization was built “voluntourism” organization that provides
on sponsorships—one-on-one links from opportunities for travelers who want to volunteer
sponsor to child. Mrs. Wood continued her for vacation, linking the Bambu market with
work for decades, and shared her passion “voluntourists.”
with Marion Cummings, president and CEO As always, the core partners for Children
of Children Incorporated for 37 years. Incorporated are their donors. As effective
Today, the concept of partnership is integral to the operations of Children, stewards of these donations, Children, Incorporated submits to an outside audit annually.
Incorporated in assisting 20,000 children annually. This October, they partnered with They are members of the Wise Giving Alliance with the national BBB. Last fiscal year, Liz
One Sight Foundation to help Richmond children obtain eye glasses—and with the 70- reports, 82.1% of their income went to the programs that help children. “We’re always
100 volunteers daily who helped to make the program work. They partner each year working very hard to streamline ourselves even more so that we become more efficient and
with the YMCA for the Bright Beginnings back-to-school shopping program. increase that number,” Liz reports.
In the U.S. and abroad, Children, Incorporated partners with schools, community Liz is herself an illustration of extending one’s reach through partners and contacts. She
centers, and other organizations that see children regularly, better to assess their needs learned of the job six years ago from a friend who was working as the nonprofit’s web
and manage the programs. At each location, a staff member will volunteer to oversee master. She began writing the backstories of sponsored children—the tales that illustrate
the work, ensuring knowing eyes and lower overhead. why these children need the help of a sponsor. As she saw other ways her talents could
“These wonderful volunteers are angels on earth,” exclaims Liz Sweeney, Director benefit the work of this nonprofit, her ideas extended her responsibilities. Now, as Director
of Marketing & Donor Development, “and we would not be able to deliver our services of Marketing and Donor Development, partnership is her second language.
without them. They identify the children; they also identify their needs and any special A history major in college, Liz hadn’t envisioned herself in the nonprofit world. “I just
needs that the kids or their families might have, and they let us know. They will go kind of fell into this, thankfully, because I love it, and at the end of the day just, you know,
shopping for the children…, they’ll dole out the clothing or the food—whatever it is, it might be a hard day, it might be a long day, but you know that when you leave that
they’re really our line of sight and it really provides us a nice grassroots foundation, something you did—or several things you did—have made a difference somewhere down
working within the community.” the road to a child.”
In addition, such partners in place are better able to navigate the local landscape. With active, caring organizations like Children, Incorporated, committed talents like
“They know the locals, the universities, the legalities, purchasing the land…. If you don’t Liz Sweeney, and all of the partners whose resources aid the mission, the lives of many
have that partner piece, where you can rely and trust their advice, don’t do it…. It’s children will reflect the differences these partnerships can make. V
crucial to have somebody there on the ground.”
Liz also notes that Children Incorporated requires reports and receipts from their For links to the Children, Incorporated web site, their Twitter handle, and Liz’s
partners, to ensure that the donations are being spent as intended. CI blog, plus information on Tropical Adventures “voluntourism” opportunities
While still maintaining sponsorship as their core, the nonprofit has recently
m
V
agazine
in Bambu, visit www.MyVMagazine.com.
O N L I N E
www
•
myVmagazine.com
• NOVEMBER 2009

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