CI seeks $38 a month to sponsor a child from one of the 26 countries in which it currently operates. CI reports that sponsors receive the story and photo of a child that is available for sponsorship, and later will communicate with their child through personal letters and receive regular updates on the sponsored child's progress.
CI works exclusively with local evangelical church partners in each country in which it is active. These churches interview the children and their families, identify the needs of the children, and provide educational opportunities, supplemental nutrition, health screening and monitoring, social skills development and Christian training.
According to CI, approximately every two years, project workers and/or field staff gather the following on the sponsored child: family/guardian information, schooling, church, household duties, favorite sports and hobbies, and medical data.
CI reports that at least 80% of expenditures are used for child development programs. As well, CI states that all gifts (birthday, Christmas, family, etc.) have no administrative or fund raising costs deducted from the total amount received.
In addition to annual external financial audits, which include overseas visits to children and projects, CI reports that it regularly conducts internal audits to ensure that funds are properly used, tracked, and managed in every project for every child.