What Compassion international is and why you might want to cancel
Compassion International is a U.S.-based nonprofit child sponsorship organization that connects monthly donors with children in church-based programs across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Your typical sponsorship contribution of $43 per month funds education, healthcare, nutrition, mentoring, and community development for a specific child and their local project. In return, you receive periodic updates, photos, and letters documenting the child's progress.
Sponsorships operate as recurring monthly charges tied to your payment method. Unlike a one-time donation, this is an ongoing financial commitment that continues until you actively cancel it. Understanding how to stop these recurring payments is essential to protecting your account and your budget.
Common reasons sponsors decide to cancel
Your decision to cancel is valid regardless of your reason. People end Compassion sponsorships when their financial situation changes, they relocate, their charitable priorities shift, or they develop concerns about how donations are allocated. Some sponsors want to redirect support to local charities, while others experience communication delays or feel disconnected from the sponsorship process.
Whatever your motivation, canceling a sponsorship you care about can feel emotionally complicated. Yafee recognizes that taking action requires clarity and confidence. This guide will walk you through every method, your rights under consumer law, and what happens after you submit your cancellation request.
Your consumer rights when canceling charitable subscriptions
Under the Federal Trade Commission Act (FTC Act), particularly Section 5, companies and nonprofits must honor cancellation requests without unreasonable delay and must stop charging your payment method once you provide clear notice.
Your legal position is straightforward: you have the right to cancel your recurring donation at any time without penalty, request written confirmation of your cancellation, and demand that future charges stop before the next billing cycle (typically within 7 to 14 days). If Compassion International charges you after you submit a valid cancellation request, you have the right to request a refund and dispute the charge with your bank or credit card company.
Even though Compassion is a nonprofit organization, consumer protection laws still apply to their billing practices. The FTC enforces these standards across the nonprofit sector. Document every cancellation attempt by keeping records of phone calls, emails, confirmation numbers, and dates. This documentation protects you if a billing dispute arises and strengthens your position if you need to escalate to your payment processor or file a complaint with the FTC.
Your rights in plain terms
- Cancel your recurring donation at any time without penalty or explanation.
- Receive written confirmation of your cancellation request within 7 days.
- Stop future charges before the next billing cycle.
- Request a refund if you are charged after submitting a valid cancellation request.
- Dispute unauthorized charges with your bank or credit card company under the Fair Credit Billing Act.
- File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission if Compassion refuses to honor your cancellation.
Compassion International offers multiple ways to stop your recurring donation, each with different timelines and confirmation processes.
Phone cancellation (fastest method)
Calling Compassion's customer service team is often the quickest way to cancel and receive immediate verbal confirmation.
- Call 1-800-336-7676 during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mountain Time).
- Have your sponsorship number or the child's name ready.
- Clearly state that you want to cancel your recurring monthly sponsorship.
- Ask the representative to confirm the exact cancellation date and provide a reference number.
- Write down the representative's name, date, time, and confirmation number immediately.
- Request written confirmation via email or mail.
- Do not assume the phone call alone protects you; written confirmation is your proof.
- Follow up by email or mail if you do not receive written confirmation within 3 business days.
Mail cancellation (safest documented method)
Sending a written cancellation request creates a paper trail that is difficult for any organization to dispute and provides the strongest legal protection.
- Write a simple letter on your own stationery that includes:
- Your full name and current mailing address.
- Your sponsorship number (found on any statement or letter from Compassion).
- The child's name (if you know it).
- A clear statement: "I request that you cancel my Compassion International sponsorship effective immediately and stop all recurring charges to my payment method."
- The date you sign the letter.
- Send the letter by certified mail with return receipt requested to:
- Compassion International
- P.O. Box 65149
- Colorado Springs, CO 80962
- Keep a copy of the letter and the certified mail receipt for your records.
- Allow 7 to 14 business days for processing after the letter arrives.
- Monitor your payment method to confirm that charges stop after the expected cancellation date.
Email cancellation (documented but medium speed)
Email provides written documentation without requiring certified mail, though confirmation timelines may vary.
- Locate the contact email address for cancellations on the Compassion International website or call customer service to obtain the correct email address.
- Do not send to a generic inbox; ask specifically for the cancellation or account services department.
- Compose an email with the same information you would include in a mailed letter:
- Your full name, address, sponsorship number, and the child's name.
- A clear statement requesting immediate cancellation.
- Your email address and phone number so they can confirm receipt.
- Send the email and request a read receipt or confirmation of cancellation.
- If you do not receive confirmation within 3 business days, call customer service or send the cancellation by certified mail instead.
- Save the email and any confirmation message as proof of your request.
Some nonprofit organizations allow donors to manage recurring donations through an online account portal.
- Log into your account on the Compassion International website using your email address and password.
- If you cannot remember your password, use the "Forgot Password" link to reset it.
- Navigate to the "My Donations" or "Sponsorship" section of your account.
- Look for a button labeled "Cancel," "Stop Recurring Donation," or "Manage Sponsorship."
- Select the sponsorship you want to cancel and confirm your request.
- You may be asked to provide a reason for cancellation; this is optional, and you are not required to explain.
- Print or screenshot the confirmation page and save it to your files.
- Yafee advises treating online confirmations as important documentation; they prove you took action on a specific date.
- Send an email to customer service with your confirmation number for additional assurance.
- Ask them to acknowledge receipt of your online cancellation request.
What to expect after you submit your cancellation request
Cancellation timelines depend on the method you use and when your next billing date falls.
Timeline for cancellation processing
Phone cancellations typically stop charges within 24 to 48 hours, though some delays occur if you call near your billing date. Mail cancellations take 7 to 14 business days from when Compassion receives your letter (not when you mail it), plus 3 to 5 business days for delivery. Email cancellations usually process within 3 to 5 business days if sent to the correct department.
Your next billing date matters. If you cancel 5 days before your monthly charge date, that charge may still process because Compassion's system already authorized it. If this happens, you can request a refund (see the section below).
Confirm that charges have stopped
Monitor your bank account or credit card statement for 30 to 45 days after cancellation to confirm that no further charges appear. Many sponsors overlook this step and miss unauthorized charges.
- Check your payment method's online portal or app weekly for the first month after cancellation.
- Look for any transaction labeled "Compassion," "Compassion International," "Compassion Inc.," or a similar name.
- If a charge appears after your confirmed cancellation date, contact customer service immediately and dispute the charge (see refund section below).
How to request a refund if you are charged after cancellation
If Compassion continues to charge you after your cancellation request, you have legal remedies under the Fair Credit Billing Act and FTC regulations.
Step 1: contact Compassion international directly
- Call customer service at 1-800-336-7676 and explain that you were charged after canceling.
- Provide your cancellation reference number if you have one.
- Provide the date and amount of the unauthorized charge.
- Ask for an immediate refund and request written confirmation.
- If customer service denies the refund or does not respond within 5 business days, proceed to Step 2.
Step 2: dispute the charge with your bank or credit card company
Your bank or credit card company is legally required to investigate unauthorized charges under the Fair Credit Billing Act. This is your strongest tool if Compassion refuses to refund you.
- Log into your bank or credit card account online or call the customer service number on the back of your card.
- Report the charge as unauthorized or fraudulent.
- Explain that you canceled your subscription on a specific date but were charged afterward.
- Provide your cancellation confirmation number.
- Your bank will typically refund the charge within 3 to 5 business days while they investigate.
- Keep all documentation, including your cancellation letter, confirmation numbers, and screenshots of the unauthorized charge.
Step 3: file a complaint with the federal trade commission (if necessary)
If Compassion repeatedly ignores refund requests or refuses to honor your cancellation, you can file a formal complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, which enforces the FTC Act and investigates billing violations.
- Visit reportfraud.ftc.gov and select "File a complaint."
- Describe your cancellation request, the date you submitted it, and the unauthorized charges you received.
- Upload copies of your cancellation letter, confirmation numbers, and bank statements showing the charges.
- The FTC will review your complaint and may take action against Compassion if a pattern of violations is found.
Compassion international pricing and billing table
| Feature |
Details |
| Typical monthly sponsorship |
$43 per month |
| Billing frequency |
Monthly automatic charge |
| Payment methods accepted |
Credit card, debit card, bank account |
| Cancellation notice required |
No notice period; cancellation is immediate or processed within 14 days |
| Early termination fee |
None |
| Refund policy |
Refunds issued for charges after cancellation date |
Common mistakes to avoid when canceling
Canceling a sponsorship requires attention to detail, but the process is straightforward once you know what to avoid.
Mistake 1: assuming the phone call is final
Many donors believe that a phone conversation automatically cancels their sponsorship. In reality, verbal confirmation alone is not sufficient proof if a dispute arises. Always request written confirmation by email or mail, and keep that confirmation for your records.
Mistake 2: canceling through your bank instead of contacting Compassion
Stopping payment at your bank (by closing your card or blocking the recurring charge) does not officially cancel your sponsorship. Compassion may attempt to re-bill you using updated payment information or may refer your account to a collection agency. Always notify Compassion directly using one of the official cancellation methods listed in this guide.
Mistake 3: not documenting the cancellation date
Record the exact date you submit your cancellation request and the date Compassion says they will process it. This timeline is crucial if you are charged after cancellation and need to prove the unauthorized charge.
Mistake 4: failing to monitor your account after cancellation
Check your bank or credit card statement for 30 to 45 days after cancellation. Some billing errors are caught only when you actively monitor your account. If a charge appears, act immediately by contacting customer service and disputing the charge with your bank.
Mistake 5: not keeping copies of correspondence
Save every email, letter, confirmation number, and screenshot related to your cancellation. These documents are your proof if you need to file a dispute or complaint with the FTC.
| Reason to cancel |
Reason to keep |
| Financial hardship or budget constraints |
Stable income and commitment to supporting a child |
| Dissatisfaction with communication or updates |
Value the letters and photos from your sponsored child |
| Concerns about how donations are used |
Trust Compassion's track record and charity ratings |
| Preference for local or secular charities |
Alignment with Compassion's faith-based approach |
| Major life changes (job loss, relocation, health crisis) |
Strong emotional connection to your sponsored child |
| Accumulated billing errors or unauthorized charges |
No billing problems and reliable sponsorship experience |
Complaints and dispute resolution options
If Compassion fails to honor your cancellation or processes unauthorized charges, you have multiple escalation paths beyond direct communication with customer service.
Internal appeals (Compassion international)
Contact Compassion's management team directly if customer service does not resolve your issue. Call 1-800-336-7676 and ask to speak with a supervisor or manager. Explain your cancellation history, provide your documentation, and request a final resolution within 5 business days.
Charity accountability organizations
Yafee recommends checking Compassion's ratings on GiveWell, Charity Navigator, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB). If you file a complaint about billing practices with the BBB, a record is created that may influence how the organization operates. You can file a complaint at the BBB website under your state or at bbb.org.
Your state's attorney general
If you believe Compassion is engaged in deceptive billing practices affecting multiple donors, you can file a complaint with your state attorney general's consumer protection office. Visit your state's official website and search for "consumer complaints" or "file a complaint." Your complaint helps the attorney general identify patterns of abuse.
Federal trade commission (primary enforcement body)
The FTC is the primary federal agency responsible for enforcing the FTC Act and protecting consumers from unfair or deceptive billing practices. File a complaint at reportfraud.ftc.gov with copies of your cancellation request, confirmation numbers, and evidence of unauthorized charges. The FTC does not resolve individual disputes but uses complaints to identify systematic problems and take action against organizations.
Cancellation confirmation checklist
Before you consider your cancellation complete, verify that you have taken every step to protect yourself.
- Verify that you have a cancellation reference number, confirmation email, or signed certified mail receipt.
- Record the date you submitted your cancellation request and the date Compassion says they will process it.
- Keep the name of the customer service representative if you canceled by phone.
- Save copies of all emails, letters, and screenshots related to your cancellation.
- Monitor your bank account or credit card for 30 to 45 days to confirm no further charges appear.
- If you were charged after cancellation, gather proof and contact your bank within 60 days to dispute the charge.
- Have ready your sponsorship number, child's name, and account information in case you need to escalate your complaint.
Final steps and next steps
Canceling your Compassion sponsorship is legally straightforward when you use the correct method and document your request. Yafee has helped thousands of consumers navigate subscription cancellations by providing clear, actionable steps grounded in consumer protection law. Your cancellation becomes final once you receive written confirmation and verify that charges have stopped.
If you experience any resistance or unauthorized charges, remember that you have legal protections under the Federal Trade Commission Act and the Fair Credit Billing Act. Your bank and the FTC are your backup resources if Compassion does not honor your cancellation. Document everything, stay persistent, and do not hesitate to escalate to a supervisor or file a formal complaint if necessary.
For more guidance on canceling other subscriptions and understanding your consumer rights, visit Yafee.com. Yafee specializes in helping consumers cancel unwanted subscriptions and recover unauthorized charges. Whether you are canceling a charitable sponsorship, streaming service, or membership, Yafee provides the legal framework and step-by-step instructions you need to protect yourself.
To cancel by mail, send your written request to:
Compassion International
P.O. Box 65149
Colorado Springs, CO 80962
Phone: 1-800-336-7676
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mountain Time
Send certified mail to: Compassion International, P.O. Box 65149, Colorado Springs, CO 80962 (allow 7 to 14 business days for processing after delivery)
Keep your certified mail receipt and tracking number as proof of your cancellation attempt. If Compassion does not acknowledge your cancellation or stops processing your request, you can file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Yafee recommends preserving all documentation for at least 6 months after your cancellation is processed, in case a billing dispute arises later.