We have been donors for over 15 years. I was evaluating my giving options and decided to stop here. We originally signed up for a specific child and that child aged out of the program then they auto set us up for another one, then another - no specific opportunity on our part in the selection process, we decided to stop. Well - that is VERY hard to do! First off you can't do it in the system - there isn't an Auto stop feature, you are required to call in, then there are scripts about the impact on the person you sponsored to attempt to retain. The call to stop took just over 7 minutes, the chat feature took about 2 minutes. If you sign up here be prepared to have to call in - which is actually nice to deal with a human so I did 2 stars for that. read more

For the past 10 years I've sponsored a little girl in Haiti. When I initially signed up, I was given to understand that I could mail presents. that I would get a photo of her with the presents I sent, that I would be able to email her and get replies, and that I would continue to sponsor her until she was 18. I joined because I wanted the personal relationship this seemed to promise. At first I got photos of her with the gifts I sent her, but soon I didn't get photos unless I sent monetary gifts. No photos were provided when I sent packages through the mail. A couple of years ago they changed her address without informing me. I had made pre-printed address labels, so didn't realize the presents were going to the wrong address until one of my gifts was returned in the mail a year later. I don't know what happened to the other gifts. I sent more packages to the correct address over a year ago, but got no response. This week I got an email that said my child's community has "graduated". They included a film that showed the community has clean water and some sanitary facilities, but not a lot else. I know my child went to school, but don't know if the school will continue, what the children have been learning, or what sort of medical care they may receive in the future. There used to be an email where I could write with questions or complaints, but now I can't find it in their emails or on their site. They provide a number to call. I called and waited on hold. I got an overly chatty but rather glib man who told me my child didn't receive the last few packages I sent, that I should've called sooner, and that they are not responsible for the mail in Nicaragua. (I reminded him that my child is in Haiti.) I went to a lot of trouble to mail these things and am so disappointed. He told me I can send her a final email, but no further letters, monetary gifts or packages. I am really disappointed that this was done with no prior notice. My sponsored child is only 12. I had purchased other gifts to send her and now don't know what to do with them. The whole thing is too abrupt. I feel that World Vision has abandoned both my sponsored child and myself without sufficient advance notice or information. I also learned on this call that they've already discontinued my monthly donation to my child, and transferred it to another child in a different country without my permission. This was not clear in the emails they sent me. I told them to stop the donation as I don't want to repeat this experience. It's probably a better use of funds just to donate to a charity that provides food, education or healthcare without promising a "personal connection." Your money will be better spent, and your sponsored child won't wind up feeling abandoned. read more

The donor tour is an incredible experience! I feel like they take you to Africa; literally! So cool. They got an A- from Charity Watch Here, I began my own inward journey. And I'm thankful to World Vision for that. A lot of donors don't actually know what they do... World Vision builds small area development projects about 20,000 people large in really bad areas. So if a war breaks out in Somalia and the leaders of Somalia who receive rations from the UN can't get water to the people, World Vision might step in and drill a well if it gets bad enough. The "I" tells you before the son and the sun were I was and we were in the father as the father is in Jesus and Jesus is in me. However, these stars were stars of their own show in heaven and so it was like that when I worked here. But I can tell you more about that later. Sadly, there's no "I" in World Vision anymore. Don't worry. You are. Truly truly I tell you even if you give because when you give the weight of your heart is lightened because my burden is easy. Even when you're afraid, my beloved sons and daughters, to trust that faith entered into the mind equals your heart overflowing with hope and that hope, when knowledge converts to brotherly affection, in a life full of love on earth and doing good because good spiritual forces in heaven fuel heaven as plant food expedites the creation of good fruit. And because donating to God is good. And this action - donating, is an action that task oriented Jesus followers, faithful World Vision followers, like you, rightfully believe is fueling the faith it takes to find knowledge and the pursuit of heaven, which will keep the spirit of Jesus alive in the kingdom here on earth for years to come. So give!!! read more

I got to travel to see World Vision's work in Honduras last year, and was so impressed by the quality of their programs and how every villager we talked to glowed when they talked about how World Vision coming to their community changed their lives. In one community we visited another nonprofit had installed a water well years ago, but after they left it broke down and the people didn't know how to fix it. When World Vision came in, they stayed for years (15-20 years on average), built a new well, and empowered the people to create their own water committee and trained them how to maintain and repair the well. They are clearly experts in what they do and have built processes that are sustainable and empower the local people to carry on the change in their communities. read more

World Vision - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - Federal Way, Washington

World Vision is a top notch nonprofit! I had the opportunity to travel to Kenya and see their work first hand. They are making a huge impact through providing clean water, access to healthcare and education. After visiting I completely I understand why it takes so long to get letters back. Thankfully in this COVID time they are starting to provide digital letters online which has cut down on the response times. Overall I would highly recommend sponsoring a child through World Vision! They also do lots of good work in the US! read more

I've had the honor to sponsor children on and off through World Vision since 2001. The latest one has been a wonderful girl who has kept me informed of her progress and family situation since 2012. It is an incredibly rewarding experience to be able to help a child anytime/ anywhere and World Vision makes that possible. I'm impressed by how they facilitate direct communication with your sponsored child and send you regular updates on their specific situation if a disaster strikes or there's an emergency. World Vision helps busy people like me get involved and make a difference in the lives of children in far-out regions that we might not otherwise be able to reach. For that, I'm incredibly grateful. read more

We have been sponsors for over 20 years. It has been amazing to see the lives changed through our small monthly donations.

I sponsored a little girl in Albania and was promised they would get food and schooling, and hear back within four months for any letters or email or packages I sent. Well I sent three packages at $24 a pop for postage form San Francisco. I got one introductory letter written by her teacher since she is 5 and can't write. I got one letter in response to a letter I wrote her. There was not response if they received my packages so I called and asked for proof. They read off a computer of what the Albanian office was receiving and said the packages were received. No letter in normal two weeks. I call again. Tell me I have to wait 8 weeks to see if it comes then they will ask their staff in Albania to send it electronically to them then to me. I wait 8 weeks, then I call and am told they will put it through expedited and get me the digital copy of the letter. I call back in two weeks, dismissively told they are still working on it and to be patient. I mention the last girl promised the letter within the four months time frame turnaround for a package, and they say, " sorry you were promised, they are very busy in the staff office. Same with package number two. Letter is lost, if it was every sent. I have not proof AMerlia got the packages. The specialized staff in the sponsorship office in Washtingto state tells you a different thing each time you call. Now they say the letter is coming in a pony envelope to their office and will be written form. I am distraught a Christian organization lies and deceives their donors like this. All with the standard, "have a blessed day" in cookie cuter responses. I got quite mad at them and told them they are accountable for the packages they receive, but they denied they were! I feel so badly for the little girl, that I had to cancel my sponsorship after 6 months as I could not stand to get upset every time I called them and they had the audacity to start taping my phone conversations, like I was a criminal for pointing out their lack or keeping their promises or word. I think Amelia has already had one sponsor who dropped out, and now I am the second. I feel they should give me back my money, as NONE of it went to the child, it all goes to their community projects. She was already in school, she never got anymore food and I don't know if the father got more work or not. Where did all the letters go that were mailed? Don't waste your tithes or money on world vision. read more

World Vision does the most amazing work all over the world! They respect all people! They bring their knowledge and experience into so many places to come alongside the people to lift up their communities in the most practical ways! The communities identify their own needs and are empowered to address them. If the logistics of sponsorship are not great, they definitely need to work on that, but I would encourage people to keep sponsoring because so much good is being accomplished! read more

I don't think my kid has gotten any of my letters or packages in Two years they never sent me anything even after giving his family the extra monetary gift read more

World Vision is the most awesome non profit I could ever wish to send my money to and they often match or triple the money you send to "Maximum Impact - where it is needed most areas". My Sister turned me on to this site when she did a 30 mile run in Chicago and raised over 5,000.00 for them. She also volunteers for them so I know that 100% of of every penny I send them goes straight to Families in need. One day I logged on to World Vision and clicked on "sponsorship" and found a little girl in Haiti who happens to have my name and it was love at first sight. Tara in Haiti is only 6 years old and her chores involve milking the cow, carrying wood and cleaning the kitchen - in her spare time she likes to draw and make jewelry to sell in the village. A World Vision member visits her monthly and sends me an update. I send her family 100.00 a month and that is enough to provide her and her 2 brothers and her Mom with food and basic living necessities for a month - I can not even imagine their living standards but it makes me happy to be able to help. I enjoy sending Tara art supplies and hope that someday I will see her jewelry or art in a shop like 10,000 hands in Austin that only sells art and jewelty from 3rd world villages and gives back to those villages. For Christmas I donated money in the names of my family members who need nothing and they were all so happy with my gift in their name! Their website is www.worldvision.org if you happen to have some extra money and are able to donate please do I promise it will warm your heart and make you feel good! read more

All the other negative reviews are correct--constant bombardment of mail asking you to donate more money for the "village". I signed up to sponsor my child at a Joel Osteen Night of Hope event in Alabama. They had ushers pass out the cards to people who wanted to give. The cards had a photo of the child and basic information. Very good start, but has gone downhill from there. No communication from the child whom I have sponsored since 2012. Nothing other than a standard Christmas card written by some random adult which, of course, is inevitable because she is Indian and I am American. But, there should be some other way to ease people's fears in donating and assure them that said child is REAL. In SIX years, two photos and two Christmas cards, but 50 something requests for additional donations. I am cutting off this month, I'm all about giving, but am looking for somewhere that I can feel a little better about where my money is going. I'm not saying they're a sham, but then again I can't say they're not either. :( read more

This charity continuously mails me premium marketing material for me to donate more funds. I feel my monthly contributions go towards these more than they go to the kids . Two of children I communicated with would write the exact same letters, as if it was the same person writing the letter versus the actual child I sponsored. Any gifts I ever sent the kids they would never communicated with me of receiving them. The package process goes through the World Vision, they then translate the letters and are supposed to have the children write you back. My impression is that who ever was opening the packages I sent the boys would then keep the gifts for themselves. I don't feel that this company is that honest, I should have done my research before emptying my pockets to them: http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=4768#.Vc5tW3FVhBc read more

SAVING HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PRECIOUS LIVES! This experienced organization is helping the most vulnerable around the world, all in the name of Christ. They are making a lasting impact, not just putting a bandaid on the situation. Child sponsorship is only a fraction of what they do so some of the other Yelp reviewers are misinformed and sadly shortsighted. Transformation. Impact. Trustworthy. I've seen this firsthand for the last decade as a sacrificial donor. read more

I sponsored the same child for 4 years.. maybe twice out if those 4 years I received a handwritten correspondence. I kept receiving mail from World Vision asking fir additional donations to help my sponsored child and her village. Everytime I received one of these mailings, it was the same exact photo of the child I sponsored.. so essentially, I've donated about $500 a year and they can't even send an updated photo of the child? It seemed strange because I'm sure she looks different than when I sponsored her at 5 years old. Started researching and it seems many others have had inconsistent correspondences, pushy tactics to obtain more donations and either a similar experience to mine or an altogether different child's photo being sent. Something seems off.. After receiving the same photo of my sponsored child this holiday season with almost the same exact handwritten sentence, I am cancelling my contributions. My donations can go to a more worthy cause in my opinion. read more

I've never had any issues with World Vision. They help people in need and provide regular letters, photos, and updates. They also help communities and not just individuals. read more

I have been a sponsor of about a dozen children through the last 20 years. I currently sponser five kids. My wife passed away a few years ago and I had left work to care for a year before she died. Since I do not work currently it is not easy to keep all 5 children but have chose to see it through till these kids leave the program. I really believe in world vision and the work they do. While your relationship with each kid is not as close as I would like, the fact that the money is used to improve a whole village is important to me. Not only do impact one child in the village but hundreds of children are given better healthcare, better education, better living conditions and are kept safe. I have read the complaints about not having as much of a personal correspondence with your child as you wanted, but please look at the greater picture. Instead of saving and nurturing one child you are rescuing a whole village. Children that could face unspeakable poverty are given a new lease on their life in the name of Jesus. In the counries of my sponsored children,girls are trafficked and boys are sold in to work crews or given a gun to fight. I love the progress reports I receive about the whole project. I see all those children smiling and feel in a small way, part of it . I picture a day when my savior will say say well done my child. You saw me naked and you clothed me. You saw me hungry and you fed me. You saw me thirsty and you gave me clean water, you saw me dying and you gave me medical attention. I will say when did I do all of those things Lord. He will say when you helped the least of these, those children you sponsored. read more

I have had sponsored child through this organization for a few years now, but have been concerned when every single piece of info that goes to the child suggests that I am his "padrino" or "godfather". There is no option to indicate to this child that I am female. I don't know how many thousands of kids they sponsor, but to represent that all of their sponsors are male, could perpetuate an already unfortunate inequality that these kids experience in their male-centric cultures, and further disempower the women and girls. read more

World Vision (WV)does not provide adequate customer services. They messed up with my account 3 times without making corrections until I have to keep calling them and spoke to 3 different reps about same issue and the issue still "Unresolved". I made donation in monthly basis to my sponsored child since this April (x6 monthly payments). On Oct 1st, I donated again with my credit card online and WV automatically gave me another new account numbers. And then when I log in to WV system to look at my personal account, it rejected my sign in. I want my original account number but WV rep would not cooperate to give me back the original account number. When I can finally log in, all my previous donations have been removed. And the system shows "$0" donation in 2014. How ridiculous! Their IT (technical support) does not help, all they want is your new email address so they can set up new sign in account. I have told both WV rep and IT dept that I want everything remains the same (including original account number, primary email address), none of the reps can fix the problems. First time I called, the IT rep said yea will do it in an hour. I have waited 3 hours, I still cant log in with my original email address. And then I have to made second phone call to follow up what is going on. It is too confusing to have two account numbers. I called again and speak with different rep and s/he told me that they cannot do anything. Another skeptical about this charity organization is when I made donations on the first of each month, World Vision system only gives credit to your account until the 28 of the same month. (Example of my account: I donated on 10/1 (WV accepts the fund on 10/7), under the Pledge page of the sponsor child (Paid through 10/28)) It does not cover the whole month. Does it make any sense? Where is the money goes? Why it is not until the Nov. 1st or 7th, or so forth? When I ask to speak with a manager, the rep refused to transfer the call to a manager. He made other excuses saying they cannot do anything.The rep updates my account to paid through to Oct 1st!! (even though I told him I just made a new donation on 10/1). I told him I want to cancel my membership and he ignored me and not letting me to talk to his manager. I am guessing my donations does not go to my sponsored kid country instead it goes to cooperate/ personal account. I even tried to make donation on the 7th of Sept, WV only states on the sponsorship account--Paid through 28th of the Sept. *After all these problems, I have to call 3 times on the same week and still the problems unresolved to my account. October would be my last donation to WV, I do not want to donate to World Vision again because their financial credibility is so ambiguous. Your monthly donation does not cover the full month...ironically speaking, the remaining week of funds goes to ocean?!? * IT Rep and Customer Service Rep said one thing and give you different result. They made the result more worse, piss me off! No apology from them. Too much hassle. Starting this Nov, I am going to join a child sponsorship with Compassion International and will opt out from World Vision. I see more positive donors' testimonial/comments on Compassion Int'l website which bring me trust. For my past 6 months of donation in World Vision, I have only received (1) intro letter and (1) semi annual report; I wrote via email and send actual letters to my sponsor child, and I've never heard back from the dept. On the other comparison, most Compassion Int'l donors receive 5-6 letters in avg throughout the year from what I read in testimonial section. Think twice before donating to World Vision, their customer services and IT dept are not bringing satisfaction to donors. Not just on me but also other people I asked around or search online for comments. They made up lies and excuses not to solve problems....not allowing you to escalate to a manager! My money really go to a waste! read more

We've sponsored for over ten years with World Vision and I've had the joy of meeting three of our six sponsored children. We love that our monthly donation goes to help not just the child but their whole community to become self-sustaining in an average of about 17 years. I've seen their work with nutrition, farming, micro-loans, education, vocational training, clean water, sanitation, child protection, and so much more. I've seen the way our small monthly donation goes SO MUCH FARTHER than we ever could've dreamed possible. I've seen communities that have "graduated" from World Vision's help and are now thriving. I admit that not all communities/children are great at writing letters. (Quite honestly, some of my own kids aren't very expressive or great at writing letters, either!) But I have every confidence that the money we spend each month is making a difference in our sponsored children's lives and community. (Children CAN'T THRIVE if their community is suffering. When we help the community, we can help the child overcome poverty in their lifetime. I've seen it and it works!) I don't work for World Vision. I'm just a passionate sponsor. And coming back to letter-writing, I've always received replies to my emails or letters. I generally write every few months and will hear back in about 2-4 months, on average. But one thing I know from having visited some of my kids - they often live in very, very rural areas where the roads are little more than foot paths. World Vision staff will live locally but getting mail in and out is not easy, especially during the rainy season. I think they do a phenomenal job and if people could see the work they do firsthand, they'd be so proud and happy to support this incredible organization. read more

Donated to their animal program last year with family members. This year they wanted to do it again but I wanted more info. I googled their name to get the phone number, when I called I could get no answers as to feeding the animals and where they were purchased. $25 for 2 checkens and $100 for a goat seemed expensive. No answer as to cost of feed. The worst is I googled their name 3 weeks ago and now my browsing page is filled with pictures of a coat and 2 chickens. For this to stay on my browing page this long and this many times, they must be paying the browsers a large fee, because they make they money on clicks. I have contacted them about this with no answer. I will never again donate to this organization and would suggest if you want to check first, you might be suprised as to what you learn. read more

I love World Vision. They are changing the world, and I feel privileged to be part of it. I have given thousands of dollars over the years and I am always glad to know that this money is being used for good causes, directed to people with real needs all over the world, used efficiently and with integrity. (By the way, another reviewer commented that he was frustrated that there were programs specifically geared toward little girls/ females. I don't know all of World Vision's rationale behind this, but it may be because there is a good deal of research that demonstrates that in nations where women have higher status, the whole nation benefits--that is, the whole nation is better off economically, medically, etc. This may be due, in part, to the fact that typically women take care of children, and where children are better cared for--that is, both little boys and little girls--the society as a whole does better.) read more

My first impression about money gifts for animals sent up red flags. Being a farm girl myself, I know a young animal takes time and money to raise. A chick, if it lives, will not start laying eggs for 6 to 7 months old. Also, it needs a balanced diet to be healthy enough to even lay eggs. If the people are so distraught they can't feed themselves, how can they even care for a delicate animal for seven months or more without reaping any benefits. A goat and a cow takes grain and hay, there is no info about how they are being helped to provide for these animals or who is checking up they are even keeping them and not selling them at the market for cash! With the stories posted below, I have decided I will not help with this organization. The website needs to be more conclusive with the whole help the needy process if they want any farm savvy person. read more

I have been waiting 5 months to hear back from either of my sponsored children. I have emailed, sent both a Christmas gift for the community and mailed personal gifts to them costing $50. just in postage. I keep hearing that I will receive a video or email response but nothing has been received. read more

Most incredible organization serving millions every year. Educational emphasis for all children, especially for the girls who often cannot go to school as they are fetching water so WV provides the clean water, latrines and sanitation so the girls can join the boys and get an education. We have several sponsored children and have visited the communities, 47,000 local staff in about 100 countries, focused on children and their health and education and providing the community the tool to lift themselves out of poverty. read more

I sponsored a child from the ads on their website. They make all these promises that "you will be in communication regularly with your child," yadda yadda. Well, I made a monthly donation, made a special extra gift for Christmas, sent mail and emails to the child...and got nothing in response. After 4 months, I finally wrote to World Vision to ask what was going on. At this point I was concerned about where my money was actually going and if this child even existed. They apologized and said they would "look into it." They then told me it would likely be 3-4 months before they were able to get back to me about what had happened or to get a letter from my alleged child to me. It's been a year...nothing. they never contacted me again. I think this whole organization is a sham, and I question whether these specific children actually exist. They could just be using stock photos of whoever. Very bad experience as a donor. read more

I liked everything about this charity until they dropped my sponsored girl from their program. They sent me a new packet with information about a different girl they chose for me. They never contacted me to let me know they dropped my girl who was 15, and did I want to pick a different girl to sponsor? When I asked what happened to my old girl, they didn't know. All they could say was that she had dropped out of school and they didn't allow children who dropped out of school to be in the program. I am guessing that the first child I sponsored had to go to work to help support her family (grandmother) with whom she was living. But they couldn't even tell me that much information. It seems unfair that they make going to school a mandate for being in the program, when some children wind up having to work to help their family survive. I did not like that they picked a new child for me without my authorization. In addition, the father of the new child does not work, and they could not give me any information why. The mother supports the family. I think they should provide better information, especially if they are picking someone for you. I now feel locked in to the new situation, even though I really would like to choose a different family. I think they know this, and that is why they do it, because most people are just going to settle for whomever they give you. I had a real connection with my first child, and now I have no way to find her or contact her, even though they said they MIGHT be able to get a letter to her. I don't like this manipulation this organization does to ensure they keep getting your money. If, given a choice to continue, some people may decide otherwise. By them deciding for you, they get to keep taking that monthly withdrawal. But, in this whole transaction, there is no choice given to the person sponsoring that child. No one tells you this when you sign up. They need to change this practice, and let you know if your child is dropped from their program. read more