Compassion International, a long-term child development ministry, has received the top four-star rating from Charity Navigator, one of the United States' leading financial accountability organizations.

Charity Navigator analyzes how charities spend donors' money and says Compassion is one of only a few organizations that has received the four-star rating four consecutive times.

"The four-star rating immediately identifies Compassion International as an organization that meets the high expectations of the funding community," said Trent Stamp, Executive Director of Charity Navigator. Ed Anderson, Compassion's Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, said the rating affirms the ministry's emphasis on integrity.

"We make extraordinary efforts to ensure that sponsors' and donors' money are used properly and effectively," Anderson said. "It's all about trust — doing what we say we're going to do with the donations we receive. That is a very high priority at Compassion."

Compassion has been recognized for superior financial integrity by numerous publications and financial accountability groups, including The American Institute of Philanthropy. In addition, Compassion is a founding member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability.

Compassion International is one of the nation's largest child development organizations, working with more than 65 denominations and many indigenous church partners in Africa, Asia, Central and South America and the Caribbean. Since 1952, Compassion has touched the lives of more than a million children. For information about sponsoring a child, contact Compassion via its Web site at compassion.com or by calling (800) 336-7676, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. MT.