How Your Donations Are Used
Your Donations Fund Our Mission in So Many Important Ways
When you give to Cradles to Crayons, your donated funds are used to run the year-round programs that support our mission of providing everyday essentials to children in need. The bulk of the money we receive goes directly to these initiatives. A portion is also used to serve day-to-day needs, such as specific product purchases to fill inventory gaps in The Giving Factory.
Our careful and effective use of donated funds is a major reason why Charity Navigator has recognized us as a Four-Star Charity for 13 years and counting. It’s a tribute to the financial efficiency, accountability, and transparency that Cradles to Crayons brings to everything we do. Our first and foremost goal is to assure that the donations we receive are used to make a tangible, immediate difference in our community.
When a family receives everyday essentials through Cradles to Crayons, they often send us a heartfelt thank you. Many times, we receive a drawing a child made especially for us — or photos that show a smiling child using what he or she received. Experience the very human responses that are inspired by our ongoing efforts. Read our stories >
Working in collaboration with our Service Partners and supported by our volunteers, Cradles to Crayons annually serves thousands of children living in low-income and homeless situations in Chicagoland. Donors can be confident in our financial efficiency, accountability, and transparency. View our Audited Financials >
Our volunteers prepare tens of thousands of customized KidPacks to distribute to local kids year-round. In the summer and fall, we distribute backpacks filled with age-appropriate supplies as well as KidPacks with clothing and personal items through our Ready for Learning initiative. Your financial support will help us keep our highly efficient model running so we can continue to serve local children in need, while also providing a meaningful opportunity for families, companies and organizations to come together and give back to the community.
Take Action
Host a Drive
You can help us get everyday essentials into the hands of children. We accept a wide range of donations for children of all ages, from newborn to age 12. We create and distribute packages that are hand-selected and filled with children’s items. Host a drive today!
Volunteer
We work with families, individuals, community groups, and companies to serve thousands of children every year. Your time is vital to getting children the everyday essentials they need.