Why Sponsor?
Becoming a sponsor is a way to invest in the life of an individual while also having an impact on the greater community.
What does student sponsorship provide?
What does staff sponsorship provide?
Both student and staff sponsorships help cover the operating and maintenance costs of the Makarios school.
What do I receive when I become a sponsor?
Every new sponsor receives a New Sponsor welcome packet that includes a photo of the student/staff as well as stationery to send your first letter. Sponsors also receive personalized updates each year along with an updated photo.
What does it cost to sponsor a student?
Each student has 3 sponsorship shares of $50 a month. Sponsors have the option to cover 1 share ($50/mo.), 2 shares ($100/mo.), or 3 shares ($150/mo.).
What does it cost to sponsor a staff?
Each staff member has 4 sponsorship shares of $50 a month. Sponsors have the option to cover 1 share ($50/mo.), 2 shares ($100/mo.), 3 shares ($150/mo.) or 4 shares ($200/mo).
What are ways I can connect with the student or staff I sponsor?
We encourage sponsors to pray for the student/staff and their family. Writing letters is a great way to build a relationship and send words of encouragement.
How often can I write?
Letters and cards can be sent at any time, either through postal mail or electronically through your sponsor portal. Our sponsorship team will translate your message, make sure they receive it and send their reply to you! Letters and cards are a great opportunity to uplift your sponsor child with words of affirmation, sharing a testimony of God’s faithfulness, and encouraging the student in both their school studies and their walk with God.
Can I purchase a birthday gift for the child I sponsor?
Yes! If you choose to send a gift to your sponsored student, we ask that it be sent only for your student's birthday (your child’s birth date is readily available on their sponsorship page when you click their photo).
**NEW** 05/25/2026 -- We are excited to offer a new way to celebrate birthdays! We now provide gift options here in the DR that are handpicked by our staff, purchased locally, and delivered as a timely blessing to your sponsored student or staff member.
This new option helps reduce shipping costs, ensures more timely gift delivery, and supports local businesses in the DR — a win-win-win!
As a result, we will no longer accept mailed packages for sponsorship. We appreciate your understanding and encourage you to celebrate through digital cards and messages in the sponsorship portal or by choosing one of our locally purchased gift options.
For now, gifts can be purchased by contacting us via email. We hope to add these options directly to the sponsorship portal in the future.
Questions or ready to purchase a gift? Contact sponsorship@makdr.org
*Please know there is no expectation to send a gift. In fact, most sponsors choose instead to send a message of encouragement through the portal, and those notes are always cherished by students. Thank you for partnering with Makarios to invest in their education and spiritual growth.
Can I send a Christmas gift?
The best time to send a gift is for the child’s birthday. Gifts are not typically given or received in our Makarios communities for Christmas. Culturally, Christmas in the DR is a time to spend with family and share a special meal together.
Can I send a high-school graduation gift?
Yes! This is a great opportunity to show your sponsor child/adult some love in support of this important milestone. Monetary gifts can be made through the portal and are converted into gift certificates to local businesses of the student's choice. Please inform us when you send a gift to ensure we have received it.
We also encourage writing a graduation message of encouragement to your student that we will translate and share with them on the day of their graduation.
Can I visit the child or staff I sponsor?
YES! Having a sponsor visit is an unforgettable experience that blesses all who are involved! Contact us to plan your sponsor trip!
*If your student is in 12th grade, consider a trip to attend their graduation (in early to mid-July). Contact us for more details!
Still have questions?
Contact us at sponsorship@makdr.org to find out more