Children to Love International 
The information on this page was last updated 1/1/2024. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
Children to Love International is a registered 501(c)(3) committed to the care of orphaned, abandoned and at-risk children in the name of Christ. We currently work in Romania, India, Uganda, Ukraine and Thailand, with partner ministries focused on meeting the needs of these children. Through education, spiritual teaching, economic support, physical assistance and social intervention, Children to Love seeks to equip all children to become independent, contributing members of their communities and fully committed followers of Jesus Christ.
Since 1993, Children to Love has been committed to the care and protection of abandoned, orphaned, and at-risk children. The CTL Story started when the eyes of a few individuals were opened to the deplorable living conditions of abandoned children in Romania during the orphan crisis in the early 90's.
Today, we continue to work in Romania, and have expanded our reach to India, Uganda, Ukraine and most recently Thailand. Children to Love desires to come alongside ministries which serve as protective havens for vulnerable children, all in the name of Jesus. We serve as a platform for financial support, but our emphasis on relationships is one of our core values. It is our desire to see our partner ministries empowered and continuing to thrive as they pursue social justice for the vulnerable children with whom they work.
Contact information
Mailing address:
Children to Love, Intl.
PO Box 9575
Bakersfield, CA 93389
Website: childrentolove.org
Phone: 661-588-9000
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 770362117
CEO/President: John Penrose
Chairman: Jordan Lewis
Board size: 11
Founder:
Ruling year: 1994
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 12/31
Member of ECFA: Yes
Member of ECFA since: 2016
Purpose
To be a platform that serves like-minded partners as they offer life-changing opportunities to suffering children and families around the world.
Mission statement
To provide hope for suffering children in the name of Jesus.
Children to Love is focused on meeting the needs of the suffering children of the world, providing help and assistance to empower 'the least of these' (Matthew 25:40).
Through education, spiritual teaching, economic support, physical assistance and social intervention, Children to Love seeks to equip all children to become independent, contributing members of their communities and fully committed followers of Jesus.
Statement of faith
We believe that there is one God, creator of all, eternally existent in three Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
(John 1:1-5, Matthew 28:18-20)
We believe in the Lord Jesus Christ: His Deity, His virgin birth, His sinless life and His vicarious and atoning death.
(Philippians 2:8)
We believe in Jesus Christ's bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father and in His future return to power and glory.
(1 Corinthians 15:12-19)
We believe that all persons are sinners in need of redemption, which comes only through belief in Jesus Christ as savior.
(2 Corinthians 5:21, Romans 3:21-26)
We believe that persons who live apart from Jesus Christ will be eternally separated from God, while the redeemed shall live and reign with Him forever.
(2 Thessalonians 1:8-10)
We believe the Bible to be the inspired and authoritative Word of God.
(2 Timothy 3:16)
We believe in the continuing ministry of the Holy Spirit.
(John 16:5-15)
We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in Christ as the Church.
(Romans 15:5)
Donor confidence score
Transparency grade
A
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Relief and Development
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 396 of 1110 | 41 of 104 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 329 of 1111 | 37 of 104 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 619 of 1111 | 50 of 104 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 453 of 1110 | 49 of 104 |
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 7% | 4% | 0% | 1% | 1% | 0% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 6% | 4% | 0% | 1% | 1% | 0% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 99% | 96% | 98% | 100% | 98% | 100% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 6% | 4% | 0% | 1% | 1% | 0% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 1% | 4% | 2% | 0% | 2% | 0% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 86% | 86% | 77% | 90% | 84% | 89% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 100% | 106% | 78% | 94% | 77% | 96% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 87% | 91% | 60% | 84% | 65% | 85% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 0% | -6% | 22% | 6% | 23% | 4% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 2% | -9% | 38% | 13% | 55% | 19% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 7% | 10% | 23% | 10% | 15% | 10% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 1.52 | 1.65 | 1.33 | 1.92 | 1.73 | 3.96 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 1.26 | 1.03 | 1.00 | 1.02 | 1.04 | 1.63 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 2.00 | 1.70 | 1.34 | 1.96 | 1.80 | 6.47 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 14.01 | 99.24 | 58.97 | 41.44 | 48.14 | 11.16 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.07 | 0.01 | 0.02 | 0.02 | 0.02 | 0.09 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 5.11 | 6.97 | 8.81 | 5.98 | 6.53 | 1.69 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 8% | 4% | 2% | 2% | 6% | 5% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 55% | 58% | 73% | 51% | 54% | 24% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Cash | $1,372,383 | $1,507,367 | $929,527 | $820,720 | $264,912 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $11,118 | $10,300 | $3,582 | $10,078 | $15,133 |
| Short-term investments | $7,847 | $8,212 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $1,391,348 | $1,525,879 | $933,109 | $830,798 | $280,045 |
| Long-term investments | $0 | $0 | $7,233 | $10,656 | $150,716 |
| Fixed assets | $1,689 | $6,112 | $12,580 | $20,817 | $26,577 |
| Other long-term assets | $41,986 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total long-term assets | $43,675 | $6,112 | $19,813 | $31,473 | $177,293 |
| Total assets | $1,435,023 | $1,531,991 | $952,922 | $862,271 | $457,338 |
| Liabilities | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $14,020 | $25,877 | $19,954 | $8,757 | $10,948 |
| Other current liabilities | $0 | $0 | $2,563 | $8,500 | $14,148 |
| Total current liabilities | $14,020 | $25,877 | $22,517 | $17,257 | $25,096 |
| Debt | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $47,965 | $5,911 | $0 | $30,467 | $0 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $47,965 | $5,911 | $0 | $30,467 | $0 |
| Total liabilities | $61,985 | $31,788 | $22,517 | $47,724 | $25,096 |
| Net assets | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Without donor restrictions | $1,373,038 | $1,500,203 | $188,042 | $113,789 | $17,536 |
| With donor restrictions | $0 | $0 | $742,363 | $700,758 | $414,706 |
| Net assets | $1,373,038 | $1,500,203 | $930,405 | $814,547 | $432,242 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Total contributions | $2,150,322 | $2,575,971 | $1,945,346 | $1,909,749 | $1,893,057 |
| Program service revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $95 | $2,171 | $211 | $32,243 | $2,343 |
| Other revenue | $97,540 | $42,533 | $0 | $0 | ($3,079) |
| Total other revenue | $97,635 | $44,704 | $211 | $32,243 | ($736) |
| Total revenue | $2,247,957 | $2,620,675 | $1,945,557 | $1,941,992 | $1,892,321 |
| Expenses | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Program services | $2,045,879 | $1,563,389 | $1,637,228 | $1,256,320 | $1,616,526 |
| Management and general | $235,840 | $471,928 | $178,125 | $223,888 | $186,970 |
| Fundraising | $90,493 | $8,071 | $10,923 | $14,999 | $7,683 |
| Total expenses | $2,372,212 | $2,043,388 | $1,826,276 | $1,495,207 | $1,811,179 |
| Change in net assets | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Surplus (deficit) | ($124,255) | $577,287 | $119,281 | $446,785 | $81,142 |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | ($124,255) | $577,287 | $119,281 | $446,785 | $81,142 |
Compensation
Compensation data for this ministry has not been collected.
Response from ministry
No response has been provided by this ministry.
The information below was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 1/1/2024. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
A nation staggering out from the grasp of communism, Romania was a bleak, shadowy place for children left in the care of the state. Government mandates for women to produce four children each and widespread poverty left massive amounts of children without families able to care for them. It is estimated that 100,000 children were being cared for in orphanages by 1989.
On October 5th, 1990, 20/20 aired a news report about the orphanage system in Romania. The world watched in disbelief as news reports uncovered a world unseen-severely malnourished children left for days in their cribs, bathed in blackened water and drugged to sleep for large parts of the day. A sense of urgency swept over the hearts of individuals throughout the world.
In response to the world outcry over the horrors of orphanage life in the southeastern European country, the organization Joni and Friends sent a team on a short-term missions trip to reach out to the physically disabled children of Romania. These children were often locked up, and had no hope of receiving even a fraction of the care they required. One of these team members, from Bakersfield, CA, returned to the US with a heart forever changed and a vision for God's work in Romania.
Through this exposure to the plight of orphaned and abandoned children in Romania, more individuals from her home church (Laurelglen Bible Church) were stirred to action. A team from the church was mobilized to go to Romania in May of 1992. It was through this trip that two Romanian children were adopted by American families. A subsequent trip resulted in three more children being released for adoption. It would be the adoption of these first five that would lay the foundation for answering the question, "What else can be done?" This led to the establishment of CTL in 1993.
Early constituents continued to search for ways to meet the immediate needs of the remaining children who could not exit the system. Milk and vitamins were sent to CTL's partner orphanages via sea containers in the early days of the ministry. Teams were sent to provide contact with children in desperate need. Missionaries were sent with the sole objective of increasing CTL's reach into the lives of orphaned children, through networking with the orphanage directors of Bucharest. Many of CTL's early partnerships were born out of countless cups of cold coffee shared between orphanage directors and CTL missionaries and the example of God's love shown through team involvement with children society had forgotten.
The continued momentum in Romania has allowed CTL to bring about more forward-thinking approaches to the orphan problem, in an improving but still broken social system. Children to Love, Romania took on the name "Fundatia Inimi Deschise" (Open Hearts Foundation) in November of 2000. Today, the program continues to work with the vulnerable children of Romania. The program has also extended to include family-centered ministries through Inimi Deschise.
CTL believes that family-centered approaches are essential in combating the orphan problem, and serve as vital components of our partnerships. In 2008, Children to Love began a partnership in India. After an initial visit to the ministry by CTL president John Penrose, it was determined by the board that CTL's expansion into other regions could begin with India due to the ministry's obvious alignment with CTL values. Mercy Childcare Ministry in Uganda and Future for Children in Ukraine became Children to Love's third and fourth partner ministries in 2013 and 2017 for the same reasons. In April 2020, Children to Love formalized its fifth partnership with Grace Boarding House in Mae Sot, Thailand.
God's provision was, and continues to be, seen in all aspects of ministry formation and implementation. There were times when the finances indicated that CTL only had a matter of months left to survive. And each time the ministry was sustained, a testimony to God's heart for His children. CTL was built upon God's provision and the time and talents of ordinary individuals who desire to make a difference. We are grateful for the lives the Lord has allowed us to be a part of so far, and we look forward to reaching many more as He guides.