Finance FAQs
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?
How does COTN pay all of its 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 year?
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?
How do I update my credit card information?
Is Children of the Nations a financially trustworthy organization?
Seven years in a row Children of the Nations has been given a Four Star Rating by 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 2018, Children of the Nations used 86 percent of its funds to directly benefit our children. Only 14 percent was spent on administrative and fundraising costs.
Can I view any of your financial records?
Our website has current and past IRS Forms 990 and independent audit reports, located here. If you don't find what you are looking for, please contact our Finance Office at 360-698-7227 or finance@cotni.org.
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.
How does COTN pay all of its employees?
Children of the Nations' priority is to fund its overseas ministries. Because of this, the staff members make less than people with equivalent positions in for-profit companies. Some staff members even raise their own support in order to work for COTN, thereby inviting other people into 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 nonprofit 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.
How do I update my credit card information?
You can update your credit card information online by logging in to your 'My Account' page. Log in by clicking on 'My Account' (in the top right corner of this website) and entering your password. From your profile, click on the 'Gift Info' tab and then click on 'Edit Settings' next to your recurring gift. On the next screen, you can update your credit card number, its expiration date, and/or your billing address. (Please note that you must enter your entire credit card number to update any information on this screen.) Save when you're finished.
If you have not yet established your account page, or cannot access your profile, please call 360-698-7227 for assistance.
