About Compassion International

Jesus Cares About Children. So Do We.

We are child advocates, dedicated to releasing children from poverty in Jesus' name. Through sponsorships and donations, we empower local churches to love, care for and protect children in poverty so they're free to learn, grow, play and dream.

Sponsor A Child

Releasing Children From Poverty in Jesus' Name

Well over 355 million children are trapped in poverty. Poverty damages children's growth, learning and development, preventing them from reaching their God-given potential.

But Jesus cares for the most vulnerable and calls us to do the same. At Compassion International, we're following in his footsteps.

Who Is Compassion?

We're a Christian child sponsorship organization working to release children from poverty by meeting their right-now and long-term needs in partnership with the local church.

Compassion International is:

  • Christ-centered. Children living in poverty need the hope of the gospel. That's why we share the gospel with every single child in a way they can understand. We go beyond offering humanitarian aid, introducing children to Jesus, their eternal hope.
  • Church-driven. Local churches know best the needs of children living in their communities. We partner with local churches only, giving them the resources they need to know, love and protect children in need.
  • Child-focused. No two children are the same. Our local church partners tailor their support to each child's unique needs.

What We Do: Uniquely Empowering Children to Break the Chains of Poverty

In partnership with the local church, we meet each child's right-now needs, such as nutrition, medical care and encouragement, as well as their long-term needs, such as education and vocational training.

But we don't just meet a child's physical, mental and emotional needs. We also care for them spiritually by introducing them to the gospel. While children living in poverty face many challenges, eternal hope is found in Jesus. And it's Compassion's mission to share him with those in need.

With their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual needs met, children can become healthy, strong, confident and empowered to journey out of poverty.

Our Impact Over the Last Year

2.3M

Children Served

We empowered 8,600 Frontline Church Partners to care for more than 2.3 Million impoverished children in their communities.

1.5M

Medical Interventions

We provided medical care like emergency surgeries, injury treatments and trauma counseling to 1.5 Million vulnerable children.

10.6M

Family Food Packs

We enabled local churches to come alongside hungry families and provide the vital nutrition they need to thrive.

7.6M

Hygiene Kits

We delivered 7.6 Million hygiene care kits to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and other diseases that threaten children in poverty.

$16M

Given to Disaster Relief

We supplied local churches across the world with resources to respond when disasters struck the most vulnerable.

1.3M

Letters Written To Children

Loving sponsors wrote 1.3 Million letters of encouragement to their sponsored children, giving them hope for better futures.

Serving Children in 29 Countries and Counting

We currently serve 2.3 million children (and counting) in 29 countries across Africa, Asia, Central America and the Caribbean, and South America.

Help Us Release Children From Poverty in Jesus’ Name

Ready to get involved? You can partner with us in two powerful ways, starting today: by sponsoring a child or donating to meet a critical need.

Sponsor A Child
By sponsoring a child, you give them the opportunity to break the cycle of poverty and have a thriving future. As you offer encouragement and support in Jesus' name, your love will ignite a lifetime of hope.
Donate to a Cause
Children in poverty are at extreme risk of malnutrition, sickness and exploitation. But you can show them the love of Jesus by offering them food, medical care and protection.

Your contributions are stewarded
wisely
to help children around the world.

We're committed to the highest standards of financial integrity and accountability, only using money for the purpose it was raised. We regularly perform audits to ensure our programs are well managed and funds are properly disbursed and applied. We balance low administrative and fundraising costs with high-quality programs.
We exceed governance benchmarks.
Earned for trustworthiness in the marketplace.
We are accredited for upholding integrity.

Release a Child Like Yanelly From Poverty

40%

Children in the Compassion program are up to 40% more likely to finish secondary education.

80%

Children in the Compassion program are 80% more likely to graduate from college.

75%

Children in the Compassion program are up to 75% more likely to become leaders in their communities.

Helping Children for Over 70 Years

In 1952 Rev. Everett Swanson first flew to South Korea to minister to American troops fighting in the Korean War and felt compelled to help the orphans he saw on the streets.

Meet Our Leadership Team

Picture of Santiago "Jimmy" Mellado
Santiago "Jimmy" Mellado
President and CEO
Picture of Joe Wilkins
Joe Wilkins
Chief Financial Officer
Picture of Sidney Muisyo
Sidney Muisyo
Chief Program Officer
Picture of Pamela Parisian
Pamela Parisian
Chief Information Officer
Picture of Robert Hawkins
Robert Hawkins
General Counsel & Chief Strategy Officer
Picture of Mark Hanlon
Mark Hanlon
Chief Development Officer
Picture of Tom Beck
Tom Beck
Chief People & Culture Officer