About
Compassion International is a Christian child development organization headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Since 1952, it has worked to release children from poverty in Jesus' name, caring for vulnerable children in mind, body and soul through programs delivered by local churches in their own communities. In fiscal year 2025, Compassion served more than 2.4 million babies, children and young adults across 29 program countries.
Mission
Compassion International shares the hope of the gospel in word and action, releasing children from poverty in Jesus' name. Its programs are Christ-centered, church-driven and child-focused: every child in the program hears the gospel, local churches in impoverished communities are equipped to serve children, and each child's immediate and long-term needs are addressed.
What they do
Through child sponsorship, Compassion equips thousands of local churches in 29 countries to know, love and protect vulnerable children in their communities. Its care includes:
- Sharing the gospel: each child is connected to a local church
- Child protection: children at Compassion centers are surrounded by adults trained in child protection
- Health care: children are monitored for malnutrition, receive a yearly medical checkup and care when sick or hurt
- Education: each child receives a quality education
- Disaster response: emergency aid including clean water, shelter and trauma counseling when disaster strikes
History
Compassion traces its origins to 1952, when Rev. Everett Swanson traveled to South Korea to minister to American troops during the Korean War and was confronted by the plight of war orphans living on the streets. He began sponsorship programs through which individuals, families and churches supported orphans for a few dollars a month, forming the Everett Swanson Evangelistic Association in his Chicago home. By 1961 the association supported 108 orphanages and homes in South Korea, and in 1963 it was renamed Compassion, Inc., inspired by Jesus' words in Matthew 15:32. The ministry subsequently expanded worldwide.
Scale and impact
In fiscal year 2025, Compassion delivered spiritual, economic, social and physical care to over 2.4 million babies, children and young adults in poverty through more than 9,000 Frontline Church Partners in 29 program countries.
Financials
According to the organization, 80% of every dollar in fiscal year 2025 went directly to program work through local church partners, and revenue continued to surpass $1 billion. Per Form 990 data on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, Compassion International Incorporated (EIN 36-2423707) reported total revenue of $953.2 million, total expenses of $932.6 million and total assets of $364.0 million for the fiscal year ending June 2019 (the most recent year extracted there).
Governance
Compassion International, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 36-2423707). It is a founding member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability, an accredited charity with the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance, and in 2024 was ranked No. 12 on the Forbes America's Top Charities list. Since 2020 it has published an annual Accountability Report alongside audited financial statements.