Frequently Asked Questions
 

 

Our responses to frequently-asked-questions are grouped by the following categories. Please click on the heading that applies to your question, or scroll down this page to see all responses. Thank you. 

Who Are We?

Donations

Volunteering 

Finances 

Media 

Schools Program

Other

 

Who Are We?

Our Mission
Save the Children Canada has been working for over 85 years to bring immediate and lasting improvements to the lives of children through the realization of their rights. Save the Children Canada provides both long-term development assistance and emergency relief. Wherever possible we work closely with local community organizations to ensure lasting and effective programs to benefit children and their families.  We partner with local organizations, communities, government bodies and international organizations.

Through its programs, Save the Children tackles key children's rights issues under broad thematic headings including: Education, Exploitation & Abuse, Conflict & Disaster, HIV and AIDS and Child Rights and Participation.

Save the Children Canada has specific experience and expertise in: 

  • Education 
  • Child labour including domestic workers 
  • Child trafficking 
  • Promotion of the girl child 
  • Food security 
  • Street children 
  • Promotion of the girl child and indigenous children 
  • Child participation

What is the International Save the Children Alliance?
Save the Children Canada is a member of the International Save the Children Alliance.  With 28 national organizations and operational programs in over 120 countries, the Alliance is the world’s largest global movement for children.

How Does Save the Children Canada Work?
Save the Children Canada builds local, regional and global partnerships to establish a broader movement to support and implement children's rights. This involves working with international organizations and UN agencies and includes support to organizations run by children and young people to enable them to champion their own rights. In many countries, Save the Children Canada works with coalitions of children's rights organizations to develop awareness of children's rights. It is also piloting a variety of methods of enabling children to participate more actively in decisions that affect them.

What Role Does Advocacy Play?
Save the Children Canada plays a critical advocacy role. We lobby governments, the international community, and members of civil society, highlighting failures in public policy and private practice that represent violations of children's rights. Save the Children Canada must act as the custodians of children's rights, sharing the responsibility to fight for their recognition and defence.

Save the Children Canada focuses on research and advocacy, which brings the lack of recognition of children's rights to the attention of decision-makers, politicians, and opinion makers across the world. This work has focused on:

  • Raising the awareness of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child 
  • Encouraging the practical implementation of the Convention globally 
  • Supporting the monitoring mechanisms established by the Convention

Save the Children Canada builds local, regional, and global partnerships to establish a broader movement to support and implement children's rights. This involves working with international organizations and UN agencies and includes support to organizations run by children and young people to enable them to champion their own rights.

Where does Save the Children Canada work?
Save the Children Canada operates programs in countries overseas. Our programming currently operates in the following countries:

Why does Save the Children Canada work in some countries and not in others?
There are historical reasons why we work in particular countries and not others. In some cases our long-term development program comes out of experience in one part of the world that leads to similar projects being set up in other countries with similar needs (such as our education work with indigenous children).

Save the Children Canada has limited resources and, sadly, we cannot meet all needs. We do strive to identify, develop and spread examples of best practices to maximize the impact of our work throughout the world.

How does Save the Children Canada work with other agencies?
Save the Children Canada is part of the International Save the Children Alliance, which is a partnership of 28 Member organizations working in over 120 countries.

We also work with a large number of other local and international partners and non-government organizations, (NGOs). Our programs involve a great deal of collaborative work with other organizations: local and international NGOs, and government departments.

Save the Children Canada aims to help children by influencing other organizations, service providers and decision-makers. We aim to provide models of good practice that can be adopted by those in a position to make a lasting difference.

How many children did Save the Children Canada support last year?
It is difficult to determine the exact number of children we support in all of our projects.  It is estimated that we supported around 100,000 children last year.

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Donations

In what ways can I financially support programs to help children?
Save the Children Canada welcomes donations in several different forms.  To support our work, you can:

  • Make a personal donation
  • Support a particular aspect of our programs through our Gift List
  • Give monthly support through automatic withdrawal
  • Donate publicly-traded securities
  • Make a bequest in your Will
  • Host a fundraising event

A personal gift can be made online, over the phone or by fax using a credit card (we accept VISA, Mastercard, and American Express).  Personal or business checks and money orders can be mailed to our office.  Monthly donations are preauthorized payments made either from a bank account or from a credit card and can be made online, by phone, mail or fax.  The payments are drawn on the business day closest to either the first or the fifteenth day of each month. 

To find out more about any of these donation methods, please visit the Donate section of this website.

If your questions are still unanswered, please email donations@savethechildren.ca, and we will be happy to provide you with more information.

Can I designate/ earmark my donation?
We can designate donations and regular gifts to a particular country we work in or globally to a particular theme of work, such as Education, Conflict and Disasters, Exploitation and Abuse, or HIV/AIDS, or to the area of greatest need. During emergencies caused by natural disaster or conflict, we can designate one-off donations to work relating to that emergency.

Although it is possible to designate donations, donations to our general funds are the best way to contribute to the success of our work. It is a valuable type of donation because there are no restrictions on how it can be spent. Such donations require less administrative time, and are therefore more cost-effective. General funds allow Save the Children Canada to ensure that all projects receive enough funding and that no projects are over-funded, and they offer us the flexibility to respond to developing situations and emergencies rapidly.

Is my donation tax-deductible?
Yes. All donations to Save the Children Canada are eligible for tax receipts. Tax-creditable receipts will be issued for all donations of $15 and over, and for lesser amounts when requested.

Why have I not yet received my tax receipt?
The tax receipt may have been sent to a different address.  Please ensure if you move that you contact the donations services department so that your address can be updated.

Can I donate books or clothes to Save the Children?
We do not accept these types of donations, as the shipping costs are too great.  If you would like to donate books to another organization, please search the internet for other Canadian charities that accept clothing and other items.  

Can I adopt a child or bring a child to Canada?
No. Save the Children Canada does not organize adoptions or the bringing of children to Canada for visits. We believe that your financial support to help improve children's prospects for survival, quality of life and self-reliance in their own countries and cultures will have greater long-term benefit than moving children to a foreign country.

Why doesn’t Save the Children Canada sponsor children?
Save the Children Canada used to have a child sponsorship scheme but this is being phased out. Save the Children believes that the best way to assist children is through their community. Our experience has shown that by supporting a community instead of an individual child, the benefits are more widely enjoyed and more readily sustained.

Community sponsorship also reduces the administrative costs compared to individual sponsorship, ensuring that more funds directly benefit the children and their community. It’s also important to us that one child or family is not seen to be favoured. One child or family receiving letters and gifts, while others do not, can be misinterpreted or encourage a feeling of dependency.

Why are the costs of fundraising so expensive?
Fundraising costs are those costs incurred while seeking voluntary contributions and include costs such as salaries to fundraisers, agency fees, design, printing and postage costs. They do not include the costs of disseminating information in support of charitable activities.

Save the Children Canada spends money on fundraising so that we can continue to receive money to improve children's lives in the long term. We see it as an investment, which enables us to gain new supporters, both regular and one time donors; both corporate and individual; and to retain existing donors.

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Volunteering

How can I volunteer with Save the Children Canada?
We have active volunteer-led Branches and University Clubs in many cities around the country, which are focused on fundraising and awareness-raising.  Typically these groups of volunteers meet once a month to plan and execute events throughout their respective communities.  They are always looking for new members to breathe fresh ideas into their efforts, and of course, to aid in the great work that our current volunteers do on an ongoing basis.  If you are interested in joining a Branch or University Club, please contact the coordinator of the branch closest to you to find out how you can get involved.  Branches and University Clubs are located in the following cities and universities:

If you live somewhere where there is currently no branch, please contact Sarah at smatte@savethechildren.ca to find out how you can get involved. 

Can I volunteer in the Save the Children Canada office?
We have different volunteer positions in our office during the year.  Please complete the volunteer request form

Third Party Event and Volunteer Forms [Adobe PDF, 56 Kb]

and we will contact you when there is a position available.  Keep in mind that our weekday office hours are 9-5. 

Can I organize an event for Save the Children?

Another great way to volunteer with Save the Children is to host an event on our behalf.  Third Party Event and Volunteer Forms 

Can I volunteer with Save the Children outside of Canada?
Save the Children Canada does not provide volunteer opportunities out of the country. Our role in overseas work is funding and managing development programs that are initiated locally, seeking to provide long-term benefits to communities. Our programs operate in partnership with local organizations which implement our projects.

If you want to volunteer overseas, visit the website of the Canadian Council for International Cooperation for a list of organizations and resources.

Can I visit the offices or partners of Save the Children Canada when I am overseas?
We recognize that Canadians are interested in seeing development in action but it is difficult when visitors drop in for short periods of time. Visitors or volunteers may unknowingly place burdens on the limited resources of our field offices and our partners. However, for more information on the work being done in our field offices please visit our Where We Work section.

I currently live overseas.  Can I come to Canada to volunteer with Save the Children?
When you come to Canada, please contact us and we will consider your request.  We do not, however, give references for visas.

If I volunteer, can I get a job with Save the Children Canada?
Save the Children Canada volunteers are welcome to apply for jobs but do not get special preference. Save the Children Canada employment openings are posted in the Employment Opportunity section of this site.

What internship positions do you have?
Save the Children Canada does not currently have any internship positions, either volunteer or paid, domestic or international. 

How can I as a young person help Save the Children Canada?
Young people's participation is very important! You can learn about child rights and inform others; start a club at your school, or hold a special event like a party or bake sale to help raise money to support Save the Children. Visit the Volunteering section of this web site to learn about the many ways people of any age can make a difference.

I’m a high school student.  How can I volunteer with Save the Children?
You should consider joining our branches or university clubs (listed above by city and university), where you will be able to be engaged in various activities as a volunteer.  If you do want to volunteer in the office, please submit a volunteer request form.  Please keep in mind that you must be able to work during the week in our office hours (9:00-4:00). 

Where can I find out more about volunteering with Save the Children Canada?
Visit the Volunteering section of this website to learn about the many ways you can make a difference.

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Finances 

Where does Save the Children Canada receive its funding?
Save the Children Canada receives funding from the Canadian Government, including the Canadian International Development Agency, (CIDA), provincial governments, other members of the International Save the Children Alliance, foundations, corporations and from private donations.

What was the total revenue raised by the International Save the Children Alliance in 2006-2007?
The total revenue raised by all members of the Alliance was $863,094,631 (USD).

What was the total revenue raised by Save the Children Canada in 2006-2007?
The total revenue raised by Save the Children Canada was $16,548,732 (CAD). Further details are in our Annual Report

What are management and administration costs?
Management and administration costs are made up of two parts - direct and indirect costs. Direct costs include auditing, preparing accounts, legal advice and organising meetings required to run the charity. Indirect costs are made up of a proportion of management and other staff time, office and communication costs.

What is the percentage of your costs spent on programs?
Over 80% of our costs are on programs with less than 20% spent on administration and fundraising.

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Media

Where can media representatives find Save the Children Canada’s mission statement?
Information about our mission and our vision can be found here.

Can I have a bio of the CEO of Save the Children Canada?
To find out about David Morley, the CEO of Save the Children Canada, please click here.

Who is on the Board of Directors of Save the Children Canada?
The members of the Board are listed here.

Where can I access press releases?
Press releases are located here.

Do you have any b-roll footage to support your work?
B-roll is available from a large number of our projects.  Please contact Sue Rooks at srooks@savethechildren.ca with the specifics.

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Schools Program

As a teacher, I would like to know what resources you have.
We have Teacher's Guides, Save the Children brochures, stickers, pencils, and posters available.  Please send a request including the numbers you require to Sarah at smatte@savethechildren.ca. We also have reference material on global challenges facing children, and how Save the Children is responding, in our School Link section. We also invite you to download our Annual Report for more information on the 2007-2008 work of Save the Children Canada.  Annual Report.

I am a student doing a project and I’d like more information.
We encourage you to read through this website, as it contains useful resources about out work and the needs of children.  In particular, if you would like specific information on our projects, please read our Annual Report or visit our Resources for Kids and Youth section  There are also extensive resources available for free downloading on the International Save the Children Alliance website: www.savethechildren.net.  If you require additional information, you may send an email to sccan@savethechildren.ca.

My school would like to organize a fundraiser for Save the Children.  Where do I start?
We are delighted that you would like to support Save the Children by raising money for us.  If you would like general information on hosting events, click here (link to 3rd party events document).  If you would like to speak with someone at Save the Children about the details of your event, please contact Sarah at smatte@savethechildren.ca.

Do you have a speaker who could come to an event at my school/group?
We would be delighted to fulfill your request so long as staff schedules permit and travel costs beyond the Toronto area are negotiated.  Please fill out the Speaker Request form and we will try to meet your request.

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Other

I’m working on a film project/research paper on issues relating to child rights and the state of the world’s children.  I would like to visit a Save the Children project.  Can you help me?
We would be very interested in discussing the details of your request.  Please send and email to sccan@savethechildren.ca outlining your topic, your anticipated audience, the estimated duration of your project visit, and a suggested schedule of cities or towns you would like to see.

Does Save the Children sell holiday cards?
Holiday cards are available for order each year between September-November.  Please click here for designs and order information.