About Us

What is Compassion International?

We're child advocates, working to release children from poverty in Jesus' name. Learn more about who we are and what we do here.

Releasing Children From Poverty in Jesus' Name

Compassion International works to end child poverty by connecting vulnerable children with churches in their communities who know, love and protect them. These churches provide medical care, fight malnutrition, protect children from harm and share the hope of the gospel.

When children are cared for, mind, body and soul, they go from surviving to thriving with the resources they need to break the chains of poverty.

A baby girl wearing green, lies on her back as her height is measured with a stadiometer.

How Do We Do It?

Through our child sponsorship program and other child-focused initiatives, we offer support directly to and in partnership with the local church. This support meets the right-now needs of children living in poverty, such as food and medical care. It also provides tools they can use to build brighter futures, such as education and income generation opportunities.

The long-term, whole-life care we deliver is personal and tailored to fit each child's unique physical, emotional, mental and spiritual needs. With the right resources at the right time, children become healthy, strong, confident and empowered to journey out of poverty.

Compassion: Suffering With Children in Need

The word "compassion" comes from the Latin compati, which means "to suffer with." Compassion means seeing the suffering of others, deeply caring and taking action to stop it. This is exactly what we do here at Compassion.

One Man's Act of Compassion Has Changed the Lives of Millions of Children

In 1952, Rev. Everett Swanson flew to South Korea to minister to American troops fighting in the Korean War. During his time there, he grew increasingly troubled by the sight of hundreds of war orphans living on the streets, abandoned by society.

Join Compassion International in Our Mission

Compassion International is working to release children from poverty in Jesus' name. Want to help us in this mission? Learn how you can get involved today.

Board of Directors

Our global Board of Directors serves to define and protect Compassion’s mission. They also help guide the adoption of new policy and ensure that all corporate activities are aligned with our strategic ministry objectives.

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Global Executive Team

The Global Executive Team oversees the development and effectiveness of the worldwide ministry of Compassion. They are responsible for strategy development, planning, resource allocation, coordination and change management.

View Our Global Executive Team >