How Much Does It Cost to Sponsor an Orphan?
Written by Humanity Increased
Islamic content reviewed by: Azhar Azeez
Last reviewed: 2026
If you are thinking about sponsoring an orphan, one of your first questions may be:
How much does it cost?
The answer depends on the charity, the country, and what the sponsorship includes.
At Humanity Increased, our current orphan sponsorship is:
$55 per month
or
$660 per year
The goal is not only to send money.
We want the sponsorship to help a child with the things they need now while also thinking about their future.
Humanity Increased’s current Uganda program includes support for food, clothing, education, shelter, healthcare, local caseworker follow-up, and monthly savings for the child. The organization’s current donor materials list orphan sponsorship at $55 per month or $660 per year.
What Does $55 a Month Help Provide?
A child may need much more than food.
A good orphan sponsorship program should look at the child’s whole situation.
Humanity Increased’s program is designed to help with:
- Food
- Clothing
- Education
- Shelter
- Medical care
- Regular welfare checks
- Savings for the future
The current Uganda program also uses local caseworkers to follow the child’s health, education, living conditions, and general wellbeing.
Why Does Orphan Sponsorship Cost Different Amounts?
You may see one charity charge $30 per month and another charge $60 or more.
That does not always mean one is better than the other.
Costs can be different because of:
- The country
- Food prices
- School costs
- Medical costs
- Housing costs
- Local staff
- Monitoring
- What the sponsorship actually includes
The important question is not only:
“How much does it cost?”
You should also ask:
“What does the child receive?”
Is $55 Given Directly to the Child?
Not usually as cash placed into a child’s hands.
The support is managed so it can help meet the child’s needs.
In Humanity Increased’s Uganda program, monthly support is sent through secure, traceable payment methods to guardians, while caseworkers follow the child’s welfare. The program also keeps records and monitors education, health, nutrition, and living conditions.
Does Orphan Sponsorship Help With School?
Yes.
Education is one of the main parts of Humanity Increased’s orphan sponsorship program.
The program checks that sponsored children remain enrolled in school or madrasa and follows their attendance and progress.
Caseworkers may also work with teachers and help identify needs such as books, pens, uniforms, or other school items.
Does Orphan Sponsorship Include Healthcare?
Yes, healthcare is one of the basic needs included in the program.
Caseworkers also look for health concerns during their visits.
If a child becomes sick or needs more help, the local team can follow up and help connect the family with appropriate services.
Does Humanity Increased Save Money for the Child’s Future?
Yes.
One part of Humanity Increased’s orphan program is different from a simple monthly sponsorship.
The current Uganda program sets aside $8 each month in Shariah-compliant savings for the sponsored child.
The goal is for those savings to help the child later with things such as:
- Education
- Starting a small business
- Vocational training
- Beginning independent adult life
The savings are intended to help the child when they reach adulthood instead of ending support with nothing set aside for the future.
Why Does Humanity Increased Use Caseworkers?
A sponsorship program should know what is actually happening in a child’s life.
That is why Humanity Increased’s model includes local caseworkers.
They may check:
- Is the child attending school?
- Is the child getting enough food?
- Is the child healthy?
- Has the family’s situation changed?
- Is the home safe?
- Does the child need additional support?
The current program calls for regular home visits and records information about education, nutrition, health, hygiene, living conditions, and emotional wellbeing.
Will I Receive Updates About the Child?
Humanity Increased’s Uganda program includes regular reporting.
The program calls for six-month updates that may include:
- Current information about the child
- Education updates
- Health information
- Photos, when consent is given
- A short video from the child or guardian when appropriate
The program is also designed to protect the child’s privacy and dignity.
Can I Sponsor an Orphan for a Full Year?
Yes.
At the current Humanity Increased rate:
$55 × 12 months = $660 per year
You may choose to sponsor monthly or cover the full year.
Is Orphan Sponsorship Zakat Eligible?
Yes. Humanity Increased’s orphan sponsorship program is Zakat eligible.
Your Zakat can be used to support an eligible orphan through the program.
The sponsorship helps provide important needs such as:
- Food
- Clothing
- Education
- Shelter
- Medical care
- Ongoing caseworker support
Humanity Increased handles Zakat according to its Zakat policy so that it is used for eligible recipients and approved needs.
We have a separate guide explaining this:
Can Zakat Be Given to Orphans?
What Should I Check Before Sponsoring an Orphan?
Before choosing a program, ask:
- How much is the sponsorship?
- What does it provide?
- How is the child selected?
- Does someone check on the child?
- Does the charity protect the child’s privacy?
- Will I receive updates?
- What happens when the child becomes older?
A low monthly price may sound attractive.
But the quality of the program matters too.
Quality Over Quantity
At Humanity Increased, we believe orphan sponsorship should be about more than adding another number to a list.
We want to know how the child is doing.
We want to follow their education.
We want someone checking on their health and home life.
And we want to help prepare them for life after sponsorship.
That is what Quality over Quantity means to us.
Sponsor an Orphan
For $55 per month or $660 per year, you can help support an orphan with basic needs, education, care, and long-term support.
A sponsorship may begin with a monthly donation.
But for the child, it can mean something much bigger:
Someone is thinking about their future.