Shanghai Sunrise Frequently Asked Questions

Can you give me more information about Shanghai Sunrise?
Shanghai Sunrise is a non-profit, all volunteer program that operates under the auspices of the Shanghai Charity Foundation but is managed entirely by volunteers.
Shanghai Sunrise was started in 1995 to help remove families from the poverty cycle through educational sponsorships. We believe that it is every student's right to have an education, because it is education that will enable these students to create opportunities for themselves and become contributing members to society. Since its inception, Shanghai Sunrise has sponsored over 1300 students and currently supports more than 800 students. All students are sponsored on a one to one basis and all sponsorship monies donated are used for educational purposes.

Do I sponsor one student or is the money donated to Sunrise to sponsor many students?
Sunrise sponsorship is a one-to-one educational sponsorship. You sponsor one student and receive information regarding that student.

How is my sponsorship donation distributed?
One hundred percent of a sponsorship donation goes directly to the student. Shanghai Sunrise does not keep any funds for administrative purposes.

Can I meet my student and if so, when?
Yes, there at 2 Pairing Ceremonies held each year where new sponsors meet their students.

Can I visit my student?
Yes, we encourage sponsors to visit students however, it is not required. It’s best that meetings take place on weekends or Chinese National Holidays. It is suggested that sponsors do not go to students’ homes for the first meeting however, students and sponsors may choose to exchange contact information and meet at either the student’s or sponsor’s home once a relationship is established.

How do I set up a meeting with my student?
You can contact the Sunrise office with the date, time and location of the meeting and Sunrise will arrange the details.

How are students chosen for the Sunrise Program?
Students are recommended by the Shanghai Charity Foundation, Street Committee or school for sponsorship, they are then further qualified by Sunrise Field Visit Volunteers.

What are the criteria for a student to qualify for the Sunrise Program?
The student's family must be considered underprivileged as defined by the Shanghai Government.

Is there a minimum grade requirement for Sunrise students?
Although Sunrise hopes that all students in our Program will strive to achieve academic excellence we understand that due to the economic circumstances of the family and the environment in which the students live and study; this may not always be possible. Therefore, Sunrise chooses students for the Program based on those that are most in need of monetary assistance, regardless of their academic standing.

Are students ever discontinued from the Sunrise Program?
Yes, if the family financial situation improves or if the student receives funding from the government for educational expenses.

What if I leave Shanghai, can I continue my sponsorship?
Yes, sponsors are not required to live in Shanghai.

How will I pay my sponsorship if I live outside Shanghai?
Donations can be wired to Shanghai Sunrise and foreign currency checks are accepted. Unfortunately, credit cards cannot be accepted at this time.

What happens to my student if I cannot continue my sponsorship, will he/she be dropped from the program?
A student is never dropped from the program because a sponsor cannot continue sponsorship. If a new sponsor cannot be found Shanghai Sunrise will pay the sponsorship from funds raised through other fundraising activities.

Can I choose the student that I sponsor?
All students in Sunrise meet the same criteria. They differ only in age, district and gender. Students are “paired” with sponsors on a first come, first served basis. Choosing students is highly discouraged as all students are in dire need of sponsorship.

What are the ages of students in the Shanghai Sunrise Program？
Students currently in the program currently range in age from 15 years old through 25 years old.

What aged student will I sponsor?
Shanghai Sunrise is currently focusing on high school and university-level students. Students in grades one through nine receive educational assistance from the government however; most high school and university students do not.

What is the amount of sponsorship?
Sponsorship is RMB3000 per student, per academic year for high school students and RMB 6, 000 per year for university students.

What is the sponsorship commitment?
Sponsorship is for one academic year and is renewable each April for the following school year.

If I cannot continue my sponsorship how much notice is required?
Notification can be given in April when you are contacted for sponsorship renewal.

If I want to sponsor a university student can I choose to sponsor for only one year?
From 2009, sponsorship of a university student is also a year by year commitment.

Once a student receives a university scholarship is he/she qualified for the entire 4 years?
No, the student must re-qualify each year for the University Scholarship Program.

Is there any paid staff at Shanghai Sunrise?
Yes, the administrative assistant is a paid position however; the salary is paid by funds raised by Sunrise card sales and general donations, not money from student sponsorships. All other positions, including board and executive committee positions, are filled by volunteers.

Does Shanghai Sunrise have other programs other than student sponsorship?
Yes, Shanghai Sunrise has a library sponsorship where library books are provided to underprivileged schools in Shanghai. Library sponsorship is RMB 8000.

Does Shanghai Sunrise have programs in other cities in China?
No, Shanghai Sunrise is only in Shanghai. Since volunteers visit and monitor our students on a regular basis it’s not possible to operate in other cities in China.

How many students and sponsors are currently in the Sunrise Program?
There are currently more than 800 students including 79 university students in the Sunrise Program and over 300 sponsors.

What is the make up of Sunrise sponsors?
Sponsors are both individual and corporate sponsors. Some sponsors sponsor only one student, others sponsor as many as 40.

Where can I find more information on Shanghai Sunrise or a Sponsorship Application?
Visit our website, www.shanghaisunrise.com or email sponsors@shanghaisunrise.com