Financial Integrity

Compassion International is deeply committed to limiting overhead costs while maximizing the opportunities and effectiveness of our time-proven, child-focused program activities. As a result, during fiscal year 2010-2011, less than 20 percent of every dollar spent was used for administration and development, and more than 80 percent of every dollar spent was invested in life-changing programs.

Because Compassion does not receive government funding, the faithfulness of our sponsors and God’s grace make it possible today to serve more than 1.3 million children around the world.

Financial Accountability

Charitable donations to Compassion are tax-deductible in the United States. Compassion has been recognized for superior financial integrity by numerous publications and financial accountability groups, including:

The American Institute of Philanthropy's "Top Rated Charities"
Ministry Watch's 30 of the Brightest Shining Light Ministries

In addition, we're a member of several accrediting agencies, including:

Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (founding member)
Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance

Please call (800) 336-7676 or e-mail us if you have any further questions about Compassion's commitment to financial integrity.

Download Compassion's Statement of Activities for 2011 >

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Compassion has always spoken up for those who cannot speak for themselves. In the last decade, we have focused on creating child advocacy strategies to inspire and equip the global Church to be champions for children in poverty. Compassion’s advocacy model contains two important areas, each designed to engage the Church to be an educated voice for the voiceless:

International Advocacy

International Child Advocacy is the global arm of Compassion’s advocacy efforts. Compassion engages churches, seminaries and other Christian institutions around the world to act on behalf of children in need.

U.S. Advocacy

U.S. Advocacy works specifically in the United States to bring the issue of global poverty to the American church. This past year, U.S. Advocacy launched the educational website Who Are the Joneses? to show where U.S. families rank in the global economy. More than 40,000 people visited the site, and many created awareness by beginning conversations about poverty on their blogs and social network pages.

Learn more about the Joneses >

How much of my donation goes to my sponsored child?

Compassion has consistently averaged more than 80 percent of total expenditures being used for program activities, with less than 20 percent being used for fundraising and administration. During the past five years, the actual program percentage has averaged nearly 82 percent.

We use conservative accounting methods that do not inflate our effectiveness in this regard. That's why Compassion earns the very highest ratings from independent agencies that look into the financial management of nonprofit organizations.

Make a Contribution >

Can I write my child online?

Yes! This year we’ve made it easier than ever. When you sign into “My Account” on compassion.com, click on the link to write your child. Now, you’ll be able to choose from different stationery and include color photos. Plus, if you have another child to write, you can start with that letter and personalize it for your other child. Your letters of encouragement mean so much. We hope this new tool helps you stay connected with your sponsored child.

Write my child now >

How do special monetary gifts work?

If you send a special monetary gift (in addition to your monthly sponsorship commitment) for your child’s birthday or a special family need, this gift is sent to the staff of your sponsored child’s child development center. Staff members work with the family to determine the child’s or family’s needs and then help purchase the gift. In all cases, 100 percent of your special gift amount is used to benefit the child and/or family.

Give a monetary gift >

Founded in 1952 and now entering our 60th year of ministry, by God’s grace Compassion International has become one of the world’s largest and most effective Christian child advocacy ministries. Through the faithful support of caring sponsors and donors worldwide, Compassion works through local churches in developing countries to provide loving, personal, one-to-one ministry to release children from their physical, economic, educational and spiritual poverty and enable them to become responsible, fulfilled Christian adults.

At the time of this report, we are working with more than 1.3 million infants, children and young adults in 26 of the world’s poorest countries.

Read more about Compassion's programs >

Your faithfulness helped make 2011 another miraculous year at Compassion! Celebrate the year's highlights with us:

Compassion's Child Survival Program

Through Compassion's Child Survival Program, more than 25,000 babies and caregivers received lifesaving assistance.

Learn more about mothers and children in Compassion's program >

Compassion's Child Sponsorship Program

More than 1.2 million children in 25 countries were given hope through Compassion's Child Sponsorship Program -- and this number is growing every day.

Learn more about Compassion-assisted children >

Compassion's Leadership Development Program

More than 2,500 students around the world participated in university education, mentoring and Christian leadership training through Compassion’s Leadership Development Program. Plus, 352 new Christian leaders graduated from the program this year.

Learn more about Compassion's student leaders >

163,527 Receive Jesus as Their Savior

Compassion’s church partners reported that 163,527 children and mothers in Compassion’s programs invited Jesus to be their Savior.

Learn more about Compassion's mission >

Formerly Sponsored Child, Beguens Theus, Becomes Congressman

In early 2011, Beguens Theus was elected as a congressman for his home country, Haiti. Beguens completed Compassion’s Child Sponsorship Program in 1998 and worked as a facilitator in a Compassion child development center prior to pursuing a career in politics.

Watch video now >

Formerly Sponsored Child, Margaret Makhoha is Elected to Parliament

Margaret Makhoha, a Compassion Leadership Development Program graduate, was elected to a six-year term in Uganda’s national parliament in 2011.

Watch video now >

Compassion Partners With Other Organizations to Combat Poverty

Compassion, along with nine other Christian organizations, launched a new campaign that calls for the global Church to unite, fast, shout, give and celebrate with others to end poverty in this generation. Live58.org is a place for you to unite in response to this challenge.

Join the movement to fight poverty >

2011 Annual Report