Finance
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Children of the Nations a financially trustworthy organization?
Where do my donations go?
How does Children of the Nations spend my donations? How much goes to overhead?
Can I view any of your financial records?
Does COTN’s leadership have a track record of fiscal responsibility?
Children of the Nations is a huge organization! How do you pay all of those employees?
Are my donations tax-deductible?
How do I get a tax receipt?
I give monthly, what if I only want one receipt for the y
ear?
What is the most cost effective way to give?
I don’t want to give using my debit or credit card. Where do I mail my check?
I don’t have a bank account or credit card. How can I give a gift to Children of the Nations?
How do I set up a direct debit of my checking or savings account?
How do I cancel my existing electronic donation to Children of the Nations?
Can I give to Children of the Nations instead of receiving wedding gifts?
How can I arrange for gifts to be made in memory of a friend or relative?
Is Children of the Nations a financially trustworthy organization?
Six years in a row Children of the Nations has been given the Four Star Award from Charity Navigator for overall financial health. This is their highest rating. We meet all seven standards of responsible stewardship as members of the ECFA (Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability). Our goal is to honor God by being good stewards of all the financial resources of the organization.
Where do my donations go?
All gifts designated for specific purposes are used as designated. There are a number of ways you can see how donations are spent. View our Annual Report in our Hope Encounter. Follow the link to Charity Navigator to view our Income Statement. Follow the link to the ECFA to view our Financial Data.
How does Children of the Nations spend my donations? How much goes to overhead?
Our goal is to honor God by being good stewards of all the financial resources of the organization. In 2010, Children of the Nations used 87 percent of its funds to benefit our children. Only 13 percent was spent on administrative and fundraising costs.
Can I view any of your financial records?
Our website has current and past IRS Form 990’s. In addition, you may request our latest audited financial statements by contacting our Finance Office.
Does COTN’s leadership have a track record of fiscal responsibility?
The leadership of Children of the Nations demonstrates the highest standards of fiscal responsibility. Executives make considerably less than those with equivalent positions in other companies. To learn more about our leadership team, take a look at their biographies.
Children of the Nations is a huge organization! How do you pay all of those employees?
As a non-profit organization, Children of the Nations cannot afford to pay everyone; the funds are needed for the overseas ministries. Like the executives, the paid staff members make less than those with equivalent positions in other companies. Many staff positions are filled by missionary employees. These staff members raise their own support in order to work for Children of the Nations, thereby involving many others in their ministry. COTN also has an army of volunteers - individuals who give their time without receiving monetary compensation.
Are my donations tax-deductible?
Children of the Nations is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization and all donations are tax-deductible. If you purchase a t-shirt, attend a special event with a ticket price or purchase an item in a silent auction, your charitable contribution is limited to the amount you contribute over the value of the goods or services furnished in return.
How do I get a tax receipt?
COTN will mail a receipt that you can use for tax purposes. You should receive a receipt within 30 days of your gift. We also mail summary donation receipts in January listing all the previous year’s gifts.
I give monthly, what if I only want one receipt for the year?
This is a great way to save the organization’s printing and mailing costs! Contact our office and we can change our records so that you only receive a summary donation receipt in January for the previous year’s gifts.
What is the most cost effective way to give?
Gifts by check or through your bank’s bill payer have the cheapest processing costs. Next is an electronic gift that directly debits your checking or savings account. Debit and credit cards charge the highest processing fees, though we have managed to keep these around 3%.
I don’t want to give using my debit or credit card. Where do I mail my check?
Mail your check to:
Children of the Nations
PO Box 3970
Silverdale, WA 98383
I don’t have a bank account or credit card. How can I give a gift to Children of the Nations?
Mail a money order to:
Children of the Nations
PO Box 3970
Silverdale, WA 98383
Please do not send cash through the mail.
How do I set up a direct debit of my checking or savings account?
Call our Finance Office with the routing number and account number from your check, or mail a voided check to our office with a note telling us what your gift is for and the frequency of your gift (one-time, monthly, quarterly).
How do I cancel my existing electronic donation to Children of the Nations?
Email or call our Finance Office to let us know. Note that we are unable to cancel a direct debit during the two working days before a debit is due to be made; if you need to cancel your Direct Debit during this two day period, you will need to contact your bank directly.
Can I give to Children of the Nations instead of receiving wedding gifts?
Yes you can! Many couples feel that they already have enough toasters and dishes and choose to ask their guests to make a donation to Children of the Nations instead of buying them a present. Contact our office so we can set up a code to track your donations. You will receive a letter in a few months giving you the names of those who gave to Children of the Nations.
How can I arrange for gifts to be made in memory of a friend or relative?
Contact our office so we can set up a code to track your donations. You will receive a letter in a few months giving you the names of those who gave to Children of the Nations.