Compassion International, a long-term Christian child development ministry, has been recognized in the top 1 percent of 5,000 charities ranked by Charity Navigator, one of the country's leading financial accountability organizations. Compassion has earned Charity Navigator's four-star rating for five consecutive years.

"We are happy to announce that Compassion International has earned its fifth consecutive four-star rating for its ability to efficiently allocate and grow its finances," said Trent Stamp, executive director of Charity Navigator.

"Only 1 percent of the charities we've rated have received five consecutive four-star evaluations, indicating that Compassion International outperforms most charities in America in its efforts to operate in the most fiscally responsible way possible," said Stamp. "This 'exceptional' rating from Charity Navigator differentiates Compassion from its peers and proves that it's worthy of the public's trust."

David Dahlin, Compassion's Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, said the rating affirms the ministry's commitment to integrity.

"Compassion makes an extraordinary effort to ensure that sponsors' and donors' money is used properly and effectively," Dahlin said. "We are encouraged by Charity Navigator's evaluation of Compassion's financial integrity and remain committed to this level of integrity in the future."

Compassion has been recognized for superior financial integrity by several 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 world's largest Christian child development organizations, working with more than 65 denominations and thousands of indigenous church partners in Africa, Asia, Central and South America and the Caribbean. Since 1952, Compassion has touched the lives of more than 1 million children and has been recognized for its financial integrity with top ratings and recommendations by several of the nation's leading not-for-profit "watchdog" organizations. For information about sponsoring a child, contact Compassion online at compassion.com or by calling (800) 336-7676, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. MST.