Compassion International, Inc.
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May 8, 2012
My wife have sponsored children for over 35 years and have been impressed with their organization and their integrity. We have sponsored two children for many years, write to each one frequently, and Compassion always keeps us alert to their activities. Wesley Stafford has been to our church (which sponsors over 500 children) and he is certainly above approach. It is difficult to find an organization with a higher rating. Praise the Lord for their Christian emphasis, the most important aspect of Compassion International! Ken Snavely
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Was your donation impactful?
Definitely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
May 4, 2012
Both my wife and I have been sponsoring since the early 90s and I have seen this organization slip over the past few years, especially when it comes to their accounting department. We are sponsoring one child and I noticed a duplicate charge on my credit card. I spoke with their support team and they assured me that the matter was fixed but I have yet to see any resolution. While the person on the phone was polite, It's still unresolved, so I will be canceling my account.
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Was your donation impactful?
Unsure
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
No
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
No
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
May 2, 2012
I rarely post reviews of organizations, but I feel compelled to share my experience with Compassion. Since 2007, I have been donating my time and money to this organization as my sister first introduced me to their outreach program in Africa. From day one, there was way too much pressure to donate "in the name of God" and I did not like that religion was drilled in their letters and emails.
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Was your donation impactful?
Unlikely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
No
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
No
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
April 20, 2012
I have been sponsoring a child through Compassion for six months now, and it has been a wonderful experience so far. Whenever I get new information in the mail about my child, it makes my day, and I like that Compassion keeps in contact with you regularly so that you can feel confident that your money is going to the right place. I am actually not religious at all, but Compassion was recommended to me by a friend and after researching every child sponsorship organization I could find, Compassion seemed like the best one. Donations of this kind are so much more meaningful than just contributing to a general charity where your $38 a month is going into a huge fund -- it's amazing to actually feel like you are making a difference.
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Was your donation impactful?
Definitely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
1 person found this review helpful
April 3, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
My wife and I have been sponsoring children through Compassion for over 40 years. This has been a wonderful experience. We have written back and forth with the children we sponsor several times a year. When we noticed in one of the letters we received that a child was having problems at home with an abusive father, we contacted Compassion about this. They took action and notified us personally of what was done. We have the highest respect for what Compassion does and how they go about accomplishing their mission. It is amazing that they can direct so much of our giving directly to the field instead of to administration and fund raising.
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Was your donation impactful?
Definitely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
1 person found this review helpful
March 9, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
Compassion International is an amazing organization. What I like most is that you have a one on one relationship with your child. You can see exactely how your donation is being spent. I sent my child a birthday gift and he wrote me to let me know he was so excited when they called his name! He bought a suit and a goat. I like knowing that if I wanted to, I am encouraged to go visit my child. I can call anyone at Compassion and they will work with me if I wanted to buy my child something or I had concerns about anything! It is great knowing through Compassion i am giving a child hope.
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Was your donation impactful?
Definitely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
1 person found this review helpful
February 13, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
I have been involved with Compassion for a little over five years as a sponsor/donor and three years as a volunteer child advocate. I've also had the chance to travel to a developing country and see Compassion's work in the field for myself. Based on these experiences, I can say without reservation that this is a world class organization that I highly recommend. One of my sponsored children lives in Kenya, where post-election violence and drought have caused much hardship recently (in addition to the already existing extreme poverty in that area). Through being sponsored through Compassion and the extra family gift money I've been able to send, her family has been able to purchase livestock. They now have a reliable source of income for their family, and they are working their way out of poverty. In addition, their child is able to attend school and will have the means to support herself when she reaches adulthood. She and her future children will have opportunities that her parents never had, and the cycle of poverty will be broken. Imagine that same scenario times 1.2 million (the approximate number of Compassion children), and you will begin to grasp the impact that this organization is having in the fight against extreme poverty.
Photos
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I've seen the changes in my sponsored children's lives through their letters, and also through meeting one of them in person. I also have had the chance to meet several graduates of Compassion's child sponsorship program, many of whom have had the chance to go on to receive a college education, which would never have been possible for them without Compassion's help.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I would love to see Compassion expand to more developing countries around the world.
More feedback...
Was your donation impactful?
Definitely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
1 person found this review helpful
January 23, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
I have had the opportunity to see the work of Compassion International twice. From what I observed it is definitely making a huge impact in the lives of many Peruvian children in Lima, Peru. People should be aware that the organization is heavily Christian in nature and consider this before donating/deciding to sponsor a child(after all-their tagline is 'Releasing Children From Poverty In Jesus' Name' and their statement of faith is similar to the National Christian Evangelical Society's statement of faith). Compassion grassroots level is centered around local churches located in impoverished areas- most children in Compassion's program therefore are Christian to a degree and receive regular biblical training (in addition to meals, medicine, and school fees). The Compassion children I've met have all been well-cared for and every dollar Compassion receives has been well-spent. The organization uses complete transparency with their donors... and continually ranks in the top 1-5% of charities in the United States. They also really seem to take into account the concerns/requests of their donors(i.e. they recently overhauled their letter-writing system recently after receiving so much feedback from sponsors on what could be done to improve it). If you're Christian and you want to make a difference in the life of a child/make a meaningful donation then, definitely consider entrusting Compassion with your money.... whatever you give- you can donate with full confidence that to Compassion it will be money well spent!
More feedback...
Was your donation impactful?
Definitely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
1 person found this review helpful
December 29, 2011
1 person found this review helpful
My family and I are on our third child and I have nothing but good things to say about Compassion. When our first child stopped coming to the Compassion center I was notified as soon as it was confirmed the family had moved on. I was offered my last donation back or the option to continue with another child. The second child graduated out of the program and we received a wonderful parting letter. Now we are on our third child who is young enough to only send pictures and some basic writing. Every organization has problems from time to time, but I have always received prompted responses to my questions and requested followup information. Given the choice of paying my taxes and or contributing to Compassion, I couldn't answer Compassion fast enough.
More feedback...
Was your donation impactful?
Definitely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
1 person found this review helpful
December 26, 2011
1 person found this review helpful
."We will not forward materials or communications that advocate another religious worldview." I have supported a child for about 10 years or more (I think) and all along had concerns that there is a bit too much emphasis, perhaps almost arm twisting, for a child to accept the world view of this organization if he wishes to continue to receive benefits of support. We did receive letters more than once per year, but it was obvious that the child was not to be allowed to send us a letter that was not obviously edited, perhaps even dictated by the organization. I do not believe that the letters as worded would have been the true words of the child's own thoughts, wishes, inclinations, dreams... and frankly, I didn't need all that many through Jesus' in one letter from a small child whose writings did not reflect a child having a normal life with his normal needs, hopes, wishes, etc. I would love to help a child again, but I believe this boy was being blackmailed to fit into one very conscripted mold or be told he might loose his funding... and I suspect that IF he were to have decided that the fundamentalist Jesus was not his style... he would never let anyone known his real needs and beliefs, for fear of loosing his funding. To me that is suspicious of way too much pressure to accept the promoted religion. Sorry, but that is blackmail... or at least suspicious behaviour on the part of the charity.
More feedback...
Was your donation impactful?
Likely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Unsure
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Unsure
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
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