Frequently Asked Questisons
STEP International Foundation is a Canadian registered charity. We are committed to educate and equip under-resourced people in South Asia through holistic actions.
Today, STEP International works in South Asian countries such as India and in the border regions of Nepal and Bhutan.
The hallmark of STEP’s work is “community based” development programs for the local people, operated by the national workers in the fields. Through various holistic services we are able to participate in programs that offers life-changing benefits that range from education, training opportunities to life-skill training.
STEP International works with international organizations, church partners representing various denominations. We are evangelical in commitment and we subscribe to the “Lausanne Covenant.”
- A focus on holistic development: Our program targets the needs of individuals in the local communities to create a sustainable effect.
- National workers and Local initiatives: Every single project is initiated by local leadership team in the field, compatible with local cultures and values. Our programs are of the local people, by the local people and for the local people.
- Low-cost and Life changing Experience: Our goal is to reach the least-reached with most effective ways that are “low-cost but changing every sphere of life ranging from education to life-skill training.”
82 percent of total expenditures are applied to program activities, with less than 18 percent being used for salaries, fundraising and administration. Our finances are audited by Certified Public Accountants (CPA) in every country where we work.
A child sponsorship is an earmarked financial contribution made regularly by an individual donor or an organization/company as a means of supporting children on a long-term basis. Sponsors, through their regular contributions, help ensure the organization’s financial stability so that the children’s well-being, education and integration into their local community are secured for the long-term. A child sponsorship costs $35 Canadian per month.
It costs $35/month to sponsor a child to help provide formal education in an English school where quality, safety and holistic care are priorities.
Yes. All contributions are tax-deductible in Canada. We issue tax-deductible receipts for your contributions under Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA) rules in every February.
Please call 1-844-837-9178 or email us at sponsorship@stepintl.org to report a change of address, phone number, banking or credit card information.
Let us know if you run into difficulty and need to make alternate arrangements. Life happens and we do our best to find a way to keep the sponsorship relationship you’ve developed until you get back on your feet. You matter to us as well.
In order to protect the well-being and privacy of sponsored children and their families, we ask you to only refer to a child’s first name if you are posting online. Please do not attempt to contact your sponsored child via social media as this threatens the privacy and safety for both you and your sponsored child. Please use your message center in your sponsor account to write to your child.
We will send you a letter of introduction from your sponsored child (background story) and a post card within the first few months of your sponsorship. You’ll also receive an annual progress report on how your sponsored child is doing through your sponsorship online account. Additionally, we will send you STEP International quarterly newsletter throughout the year so you can see the larger picture of our transformation work in South Asia.
In North America, we often express affection through gift-giving. However, when one sponsored child receives a present from their sponsor, it often negatively affects the sense of fairness in the community. It can also create an expectation for more or greater gifts. Your gift of consistent support is the best gift that can be given! It helps provide items and opportunities for your sponsored child and their family members (quality education, school fees, supplies, training for parents, etc.). So, your one-time gift on your sponsored child birthday goes to the child and one-time gift for Christmas occasion is distributed to a group of children in the community.
Our promise is to help a child from Grade 1-10. We ask sponsors to help a child up to high school graduation. Consistent, monthly sponsorship builds peace of mind and security for parents, allowing them to focus on building long-term solutions for their families. If you feel you’re unable to continue your sponsorship due to financial limitations, please call us at 1.844.837.9178 to discuss options.
Generally, you will sponsor the same child for the duration of your commitment although some rare exceptions do occur:
- their family moves out of the program area
- they or their parents opt out of the program
- they graduate from school
- they marry
- the child passes away
STEP International regularly organizes “Learning Tours.” This is an opportunity for the STEP sponsors and potential partners to visit projects in South Asia. If you’re planning to be in the area where your sponsored child lives, let us know before you leave Canada and we will do our best to make this possible. Arrangements can be made once you have completed our application process which is designed to protect both you and your sponsored child.