Sponsor a Family
The coldest months of the year can add mental stress and budgetary strain for people who already struggle to provide basic needs for their families. Community Action Partnership of Hennepin County’s (CAP-HC’s) Sponsor a Family Program helps families with low income work toward greater stability so they can reclaim the celebratory spirit of the winter season.
How It Works
1. Now through Nov. 12, CAP-HC is looking for sponsors to match with at least 10 families in need. Groups interested in sponsoring a family can complete the sign-up form below.
- You will receive an email confirming we've received your form as soon as it is submitted.
- Within five business days, a CAP-HC staff member will follow up with you via email to provide more information about the Sponsor a Family Program.
2. Sponsors may decide whether to purchase at least $75 per family member in gifts from the family’s wish list or give at least $75 per family member in gift cards to support their sponsored family.
- This ensures that all sponsored families will receive equitable support regardless of their family’s size.
- Family sponsorships start at $150 for a family of two and increase by $75 per additional family member.
3. CAP-HC staff will select families from our client households and match them with sponsors based on the budget indicated on their form. Staff may match sponsors with more than one family if their budget allows.
4. If the sponsor is providing gift cards:
- Gift cards must be received by Dec. 12. Mail to or drop off gift cards at our Brooklyn Park office (7101 Northland Circle N, Suite 123, Brooklyn Park, MN 55428).
- CAP-HC staff will arrange with the family to pick up the gift cards.
Or, if the sponsor is shopping for gifts:
- Wrapped gifts with gift receipts should be dropped off at one of CAP-HC’s offices by Dec. 12.
- Please label gifts with the item name; the family’s last name; and the family member’s age and gender.
- CAP-HC staff will arrange with the family for the gifts to be picked up.
5. Regardless of whether a sponsor chooses to support a family by shopping for gifts or providing gift cards, they will receive a donation acknowledgement via email for tax purposes.
Ready to Sponsor a Family this winter? Use the sign-up form to register and we'll be in touch soon with more information!
If you need more information about the program before deciding if sponsorship is right for you, please contact Amelia Barkley (abarkley@caphennepin.org).
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can sponsor a family?
Sponsoring a family is a great opportunity for individuals, businesses, coworkers, faith communities, families, and friends to make a difference in their community this season! Any individual or group with a budget of at least $150 ($75 minimum per family member) can sponsor a family.
If sponsoring a family is out of your group’s budget, make a donation in any amount to support Hennepin County families with low income.
How are sponsorship families chosen?
All families are low-income clients of our Emergency Rental, Vehicle Repair, or Energy Assistance programs and have been selected by staff members.
How long does it take for a sponsor to be matched with a family?
The timing between submitting the sign-up form and being matched with a family can vary based on a number of factors, but all sponsors will be matched with a family by Nov. 20. Sponsors will be notified via the email provided on their sign-up form. If the sponsor has chosen to shop for gifts, the family’s wish list will be included in that email.
If shopping for gifts, when will sponsors receive the family's wish list?
The family’s wish list will be provided in the email notifying the sponsor they’ve been matched with a family no later than Nov. 20.
If shopping for gifts, is the total spent tax deductible? If providing gift cards, is the donation amount tax deductible? Will a receipt be sent to sponsors?
CAP-HC is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit (U.S. tax identification number 41-1524088). All sponsors will receive an acknowledgement letter via email for their donation.
- If shopping for gifts: CAP-HC is not authorized to place a value on purchased gifts. We encourage you to keep all receipts for purchased gifts as well as the acknowledgment email for tax purposes.
- If providing gift cards: The sponsor’s acknowledgement will include the total value of the gift cards.
What if a sponsor matched with a family finds they are no longer able to be a sponsor?
- If a sponsor has chosen to purchase gifts and is no longer able to do so, we ask that you provide gift cards to support the family instead. Contact Amelia Barkley (abarkley@caphennepin.org) for more information.
- If a sponsor is neither able to purchase gifts nor provide gift cards, please contact Amelia Barkley (abarkley@caphennepin.org) as soon as possible so that we can make every effort to match the family with a different sponsor.
Can sponsors meet the family they’re sponsoring?
It is our priority to protect the privacy and safety of our clients and sponsors. For this reason, there will not be an opportunity for sponsors and sponsored families to meet.
