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Compassion International

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Compassion International
Founded1952
FounderEverett Swanson
TypeChristian child sponsorship non-profit organization
36-2423707[1]
Location
  • Colorado Springs, Colorado
Area served
27 countries across four continents
Key people
Santiago "Jimmy" Mellado (president and CEO)
RevenueUS$ 1,001,200,000 (2020)[2]
ExpensesProgram Services:
US$ 813,929,000 (2020)[2]

Support Activities:
US$ 185,251,000 (2020)[2]

Total:
US$ 999,180,000 (2020)[2]
Websitewww.compassion.com Edit this at Wikidata

Compassion International is an American child sponsorship and Christian humanitarian aid organization headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, that aims to positively influence the long-term development of children globally who live in poverty.

A 2013 independent research report, in the Journal of Political Economy, concluded that as of that time, Compassion International had large and statistically significant impacts on participants' years of school completion, the probability of later employment, and the quality of that employment, in part as a consequence of improved self-esteem and expectations in participating children.

History

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The Everett Swanson Evangelistic Association was founded in 1952 by the Rev. Everett Swanson (member of Converge) to help children orphaned by war in South Korea.[3] Swanson had traveled there to preach the gospel to the US Army troops, but during his visit he was deeply moved by the plight of the scores of abandoned children he saw. In 1953, he began to raise funds, and the next year he developed sponsorship programs to help support orphans for a few dollars a month.[4] The name of the association changed to Compassion, Inc., in 1963, inspired by Jesus' words "I have compassion on the multitude. I will not send them away hungry" (Matthew 15.32).[5] In 2022, it would be present in 27 countries.[6] For example, see Compassion Suisse and Compassion Espagna

Leadership

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As of November 2019, the board chair of the organization was Judy Golz, and the president and CEO was Santiago Mellado.[7] In 2019, Mellado's annual compensation was $419,184 according to the organization's IRS filings.[8]

Programs

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Compassion helps those in impoverished areas, using a holistic approach to child development.[9] This approach goes well beyond simply providing food and medical aid, involving education and training to prepare the individuals for contributing back to their communities.[10]

The organization also helps in emergency situations and in the funding of health centers.[11][12][13]

Child sponsorship

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Children in the child sponsorship program are provided food and clean water, medical care, education, life-skills training, and spiritual guidance through a direct sponsorship. Sponsored children are selected by the sponsors from lists provided by the ministry, and two-way communication is encouraged between the sponsored child and the sponsor. As of November 2023 the cost to sponsor a child through Compassion was US$43 (£32)[14] per month, and globally there were over two million babies, children, and young adults in its programs.[15]

Sponsors are able to visit their sponsored children through trips planned by Compassion International. Compassion's goal is to provide a trip to each country every other year. Compassion coordinates every aspect of the trip, including travel, meals, tips and gratuities, fees related to the travel, and sightseeing fares.[16]

Compassion International: Accountability, Impact & Controversies

Financial Ratings & Accountability Compassion International is a charter member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability. As of February 2008, it held an “A” rating from CharityWatch. By January 2012, the organization had met all “20 Standards for Charity Accountability” set by the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance.

Positive Impact of Child Sponsorship

A 2013 study published in the Journal of Political Economy offered strong evidence of Compassion’s effectiveness. Conducted by researchers Bruce Wydick, Paul Glewwe, and Laine Rutledge, the study tracked over 10,000 children across six countries. It found significant improvements in education levels—including primary, secondary, and tertiary completion—as well as higher employment prospects. The researchers also noted that increased aspirations among children were a likely contributing factor.

Operations in India and Closure

Compassion operated in India for 48 years, supporting around 145,000 children through its Child Sponsorship Program and transferring approximately $45 million annually—making it India’s largest single foreign donor. In 2015, the organization’s local affiliates were investigated by tax authorities over concerns of alleged religious conversions.

Compassion claimed that Indian officials attempted to pressure them into redirecting funds to Hindu nationalist groups aligned with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which the organization refused, citing donor trust. In 2017, after prolonged diplomatic discussions, the Indian government—led by the BJP—banned Compassion from sending funds into the country. India’s Ministry of External Affairs later stated that the decision was not based on the organization’s ideology. Charity Navigator Ratings From 2001 through 2015, Compassion International consistently earned Charity Navigator’s highest 4-star rating for financial health and transparency, placing it on their list of “10 Charities with the Most Consecutive 4-Star Ratings.” However, after a rating methodology update in 2016, the organization’s rating dropped to three stars due to changes in accountability and transparency metrics.

Forbes Recognition

In 2016, Forbes ranked Compassion as the 15th-largest U.S. charity, having received $799 million in private donations that year.

Concerns Over Financial Transparency

Since 2019, Compassion International has stopped publishing its Form 990 after reclassifying itself as a religious entity—“an association of churches.” This move, becoming more common among large Christian ministries, has led to criticism. MinistryWatch dropped Compassion’s Donor Confidence Score from 97 to 73, and Charity Navigator ceased rating the organization due to a lack of financial transparency.

References

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  1. ^ "Compassion International". Charity Navigator. Retrieved March 10, 2014.
  2. ^ a b c d "ACCOUNTABILITY REPORT" (PDF). Compassion.com. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 30, 2020. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
  3. ^ George Thomas Kurian, Mark A. Lamport, Encyclopedia of Christianity in the United States, Volume 5, Rowman & Littlefield, USA, 2016, p. 617
  4. ^ Victorien SAWADOGO, ONG "Compassion international" : Soutenir 22 000 enfants défavorisés, lefaso.net, Burkina Faso, August 24, 2004
  5. ^ Katherine Marshall, Global Institutions of Religion: Ancient Movers, Modern Shakers, Routledge, Abingdon-on-Thames, 2013, p. 167
  6. ^ Compassion International, THIS IS HOW WE WORK, compassion.com, USA, retrieved November 5, 2022
  7. ^ "Board of Directors". www.compassion.com. Retrieved November 27, 2019.
  8. ^ "Form 990, Part VII" (PDF). IRS. p. 15.
  9. ^ Mae Elise Cannon, Social Justice Handbook: Small Steps for a Better World, InterVarsity Press, USA, 2009, p. 153
  10. ^ Jean Daniel Sénat, Après 20 ans, Compassion International réoriente son programme de formation en leadership, lenouvelliste.com, Haïti, February 13, 2017
  11. ^ Stephen Offutt, New Centers of Global Evangelicalism in Latin America and Africa, Cambridge University Press, UK, 2015, p. 125
  12. ^ Le Nouvelliste, 45 ans auprès des plus vulnérables d'Haïti, lenouvelliste.com, Haïti, October 4, 2013
  13. ^ Stephanie Earls, Compassion International seeking donations to support ongoing relief in Haiti, gazette.com, USA, October 16, 2016
  14. ^ "Sponsor a Child | Child Sponsorship". Compassion UK. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  15. ^ "Sponsor a Child in Extreme Poverty". Compassion.com. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  16. ^ "Compassion Trips FAQ". Compassion.com. Retrieved January 31, 2012.
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