FAQs About CARITAS Programs
How much of my donation goes to Program Expenses?
How is that possible?
What services does my child receive from my support?
How do I know my child is receiving all the services I expect them to receive?
“Love—caritas—will always prove necessary, even in the most just society. This love does not simply offer people material help, but refreshment and care for their souls, something which often is even more necessary than material support.” (Pope Benedict XVI)
To help make this possible, CARITAS begins with this kind of relationship development by individually connecting each Caritas-Child with their Caritas-Family through child letters and school reports at least two times per year, and updated photos as often as possible. Even Skype opportunities are made possible. These exchanges are being made electronically via the Internet, where available, and in other locations by traditionally mailed forms—providing a means to confirm that your Caritas-Child is receiving all of the promised services.
What are Assistive/Supporting Programs?
How does CARITAS provide services?
Financial Integrity
How do WE use your generous gifts?
As a Catholic Lay Apostolate, CARITAS For Children recognizes the importance of your gift.
A Letter from Our Treasurer
Dear Caritas Sponsors and Friends:
I am happy to report the June 30, 2018 audit has been completed and our Auditors, Coleman and Williams, have issued an unqualified opinion on the financial stability and operational results of the organization for the year. In other words, they feel our financial information presented as of June 30, 2018 accurately reflects its financial position and operations for that year ended. I would like to highlight some of the results Caritas achieved during its June 30, 2018 fiscal year end, as well as in prior years. They are as follows:
- 1. The organization is financially stable and is optimistic for the continued growth of its sponsorship program and opportunities.
- 2. Program costs for the sponsorship program approximated 139% of collected sponsorship monies received for the year. In other words, for every dollar of sponsorship monies received $1.39 of costs related to the program were incurred. Sponsorship monies only pay for a portion of the costs associated with the sponsorship program at Caritas.
- 3. The organization must pursue other donors to assist with the program cost shortages as well as for the management and administration costs for the organization.
- 4. The organization maintains a strict fiscal responsibility of overseeing all expenditures and scrutinizes those costs for appropriateness and relevancy.
- 5. The organization is strongly motivated to expand sponsorships throughout the world and carefully balances that desire with the availability of donor monies.
- As a result of this strong desire to expand, the organization does incur occasional financial challenges at times. The organization is not afraid to execute tough fiscal actions when appropriate.
- 6. The organization has been in existence for 21 years. Since that time, substantial donor monies of approximately $700,000+ (primarily from Chris and Barbara Hoar and selected other donors) have been used to develop various processes and procedures to help create the unique, successful Caritas sponsorship model. It would be very difficult to replicate the processes and procedures elsewhere.
- 7. The continuing financial support of the Caritas sponsors and donors are now needed more than ever. The number one priority is to continue to maintain the sponsorship of numerous children throughout the world. In addition, Caritas sponsor monies are necessary for the schools to effectively manage their own fiscal budgets as well as for Caritas to continue to aggressively pursue its international expansion of child sponsorships.
- 8. Caritas has differentiated itself from other organizations by enhancing the development of a special relationship between sponsor (mom/dad) and a child that has led to a stronger faith for both parties as well as a greater charitable awareness for the sponsor and most importantly, an educated child more prepared to react to life’s opportunities and challenges.
Regards,
Joel G. Nettesheim, CPA and Treasurer
P: 262-923-5150 | C: 414-719-6888
It’s not just an exchange of money.
It’s about building sacred relationships of God’s love around the planet.
Our Mission Goals
We engage servant leadership in our principal mission and vital ministry to achieve focused outcomes. We recruit, form and engage young adult volunteers. We establish strategic partnerships with local Catholic Church ministries, including: parishes, schools, hospitals, special care centers for handicapped of all kinds of disabilities, and all distinctly Catholic; to deliver needed resources to the children we serve. In trust with our local ministry partners and Caritas-Personnel, we form the minds and hearts of these children in Catholic education, doctrine, and the truth of Christ. We evangelize faith communities to inspire greater commitment, service and discipleship.
What Distinguishes Us
Our character and culture is distinct from other organizations with related missions. We are intrinsically Catholic in our identity, brand, doctrine, values and policies across the culture of our internal and external mission. We center our efforts on The New Evangelization as a tool of formation for those who engage in our work and ministry. We build continuing relationships that form community for those who partner in our mission. We employ ongoing messaging to our supporters to grow their spirituality and capacity for prayer and formation as disciples in Christ.
The Structure of our Ecclesial Governance
Under the Cannon Laws of the Roman Catholic Church, CARITAS For Children, Inc. is recognized as having a Private Juridic Personality. This status was granted by His Eminence, Francis Cardinal George, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Chicago [Illinois] in October of 2008. CARITAS has been recognized as a religious society engaged in missionary work and is also listed in the Official Catholic Directory of the U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops, since 2002. Its direct ecclesial connection in the Archdiocese of Chicago. In addition, CARITAS For Children is listed in the Pastoral Handbook of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.
Our financial statements are audited in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards (U.S.) (Coleman & Williams, LTD)
/s/ William B. Coleman, C.P.A.
View the 2017-2018 Audited Financial Statement here.
The 2018 990 Tax Return has been filed but not yet released by the IRS.
CARITAS For Children is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Federal Tax ID # 39-1975608
For more information on CARITAS For Children financials or accreditations, please contact us.
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