Frequently Asked Questions

Do I sponsor a child as a UNICEF Global Parent?
Why should I not just make a one-off donation?
Can I choose where my donations go?
How do I know how my donations are spent?
How much should I donate every month?
Will I get a receipt?
Are my donations tax-deductible?
Can my donations be deducted from my bank account instead of my Credit Card?
When will donations be taken from my account?
Is this a fixed term contract?
Can I 'freeze' my donations for a short time?
What percentage of my donations reaches children?
What happens if I change my bank account or credit card?
Does UNICEF have street fundraisers?

Do I sponsor a child as a UNICEF Global Parent?
No you do not sponsor a child. As a UNICEF Global Parent you help many children in over 150 countries. We know that this is an effective way of supporting long-term development that really changes children's lives. It’s also fair this way - rather than sponsoring or supporting just one child, you help many.

Why should I not just make a one-off donation?
Any donation for children is valued and put to the best use. However, we encourage supporters to donate monthly because this is one of the most efficient way to support out work and creates the greatest change for children.

Because monthly gifts are processed automatically, Global Parents help us keep our costs low – which allows us to help more children. It also gives us a reliable income; we have a good idea of what funding we will receive from Global Parents, so we can commit to life-saving programmes for children, such as our work to make dilapidated schools safe for kids in the Solomon Islands.

Can I choose where my donations go?
No, your donations will help children wherever the need is greatest and wherever it will have the greatest effect. We think it's fair this way.

This also helps us to react quickly to changing circumstances - whether to enhance ongoing development projects, to invets in innovative programming, or to respond quickly to conflicts or natural disasters. For example, Global Parents' donations allowed UNICEF to enhance feeding programmes in the current food crisis in the Horn of Africa without having to wait for funds to be raised through a specific appeal. This helped us act rapidly to save thousands of malnourished children.

How do I know how my donations are spent?
As a valued Global Parent, we’ll send you e-newsletters about once a month to let you know about the fantastic life-saving changes you're helping to make for children. If you'd prefer not to receive these emails, you can easily opt out of receiving them. We also send you newsletters in the post twice a year, full of news about the children whose lives you are changing.

How much should I donate every month?
We ask you to donate $25 a month - this is less than $1 a day. Many of the children you'll be supporting live on less than $1 a day; your monthly donation will go a long way to help them escape the cycle of poverty they are trapped in. Of course, you can donate more than this. The minimum donation is $15 a month.

• $15 can provide 20 packets of high energy biscuits, specially developed for malnourished children.
• $25 can protect 63 children from measles with a life-saving vaccine.
• $75 can provide basic surgical equipment to a hospital without medical amenities.

Will I get a receipt?
Yes. To save on administration costs UNICEF issues one tax receipt for all your donations made during the financial year.  We post your tax receipt in early April. And you can claim 1/3 of your donations back as a tax rebate!

Are my donations tax-deductible?
Yes, you can get 1/3 of your donations back from the government as a tax rebate. You can also donate this tax rebate to UNICEF, so making your initial donations go further! We will send you information with your annual tax receipt in April.

Can my donations be deducted from my bank account instead of my Credit Card?
Yes, just complete the direct debit form on our website. Like making donations to UNICEF with your credit card, this is a safe and secure system. We always handle your personal information with care.

When will donations be taken from my account?
You can choose either the 1, 15 or 20 of the month. If your chosen date falls on a weekend or public holiday, we’ll process your donation on the nearest business day.

Is this a fixed term contract?
No: we understand that people's financial circumstances change. You can alter the value of your monthly gift, either by increasing or decreasing the amount, or you can suspend your donations by calling 0800 243 575 or emailing us at 2helpkids@unicef.org.nz.

Can I 'freeze' my donations for a short time?
Yes. If for any reason you are unable to contribute for a short while you can put your donations on hold. Please call us on 0800 243 575 or email 2helpkids@unicef.org.nz.

What percentage of my donations reaches children?
Supporting children through a monthly donation is one of the efficient ways to help children. In 2009 for every dollar donated to UNICEF NZ by Global Parents:

• 63 cents went directly to UNICEF projects for children in developing countries;
• 5 cents supported children in NZ and educated the NZ public about children's rights;
• 23 cents was used for fundraising and communication in NZ – this is critical to ensure UNICEF continues to receive income in the future;
• 9 cents was spent on UNICEF NZ administration.

What happens if I change my bank account or credit card?
To make sure we receive your life-changing donations for children, please tell us if you change your credit card or bank details. It is also very useful if you let us know when your contact details change. Please call us on 0800 243 575 or email 2helpkids@unicef.org.nz.

Does UNICEF have street fundraisers?
Yes we do. They do not take cash donations but rather encourage people to become UNICEF Global Parents.

UNICEF fundraising teams work in public spaces (streets, shopping malls) and visit residential areas. Our fundraisers are well trained, wear photo ID badges and carry UNICEF information. You will know that this can be a difficult job, but our fundraisers are committed to helping children. So if you see one of our fundraisers, please say hello and tell them that you’re a UNICEF supporter! If you have any questions, please call us on 0800 243 575 or email 2helpkids@unicef.org.nz.