What Is CompassionArt?

You want the short answer? Here goes; CompassionArt is a charity that joins the dots between art and poverty. It raises money to help breathe life into the poorest communities, restoring hope and igniting justice.

You've got a bit more time? Try this…

It all started with a sense that music really ought to be able to sit well with justice. Yet in a world of album sales and royalty cheques, it can be hard to see how the two link up. So, a plan evolved; create a little music (and eventually, quite a bit more) and use all of the proceeds from album sales and royalty cheques to support those working among the world's poorest communities.

These thoughts came first to the heads and hearts of Martin and Anna Smith. Martin's years at the front of the stage with Delirious have given him a unique perspective; across every continent he has seen at first hand the potential that music has to connect. And he has seen poverty – the crushing sort, the type that chokes hope and suffocates life. And he has seen remarkable people doing remarkable things to break poverty's hold.

In January 2008 – after more than a year and a half of planning – Martin and Anna were joined by 11 other songwriters from the world of Christian music for a week of writing. Out of it came 22 songs, but something much more; a sense that there might be something in this – that compassion and art might just be a relationship worth investing in.

The Board of Trustees

Mark Zschech - Charity expert/project genius and husband of Darlene
Matt Redman - Worship Leader and Author
Richard Hubbard - CEO of Links International Charity and one of the Arun Community Church leaders.
Bill Hearn - CEO of EMI/CMG, very well respected record man.
Brett Farrell - Law and Order
Dave Meyer - CEO of world missions for JMM ministries.

Where do the proceeds go?

Hand of Hope
Offers relief and restoration for families caught up in Mumbai's sex trade and food and education for children scraping survival on a rubbish dump in Phnom Penh.

Where do the proceeds go?

Ray of Hope
Every week in remote parts of Brazil, the Ray of Hope team takes to the river to meet the needs of children; food, education, support, advice, clothing, medical aid. Their compassion heads deep into the jungle.

Where do the proceeds go?

Watoto
From orphaned children to abused mothers, Watoto restores hope to people whose lives have been devastated by suffering. Watoto encourages artistic education and plans for a better future for all.

Where do the proceeds go?

Stop The Traffik
STOP THE TRAFFIK is a global movement against the trafficking of people. It has more than 1000 member organisations in 50 countries & a grass roots following of ordinary activists around the world.

Where do the proceeds go?

Compassion UK
Compassion seeks out some of the worlds most vulnerable children and through individual sponsors provides them with the means to break the cycle of poverty and create a viable future.

Where do the proceeds go?

St Stephens
For over forty years St Stephens has worked among those addicted to drugs in Hong Kong. Founded by Jackie Pullinger, the charity has led thousands of people to faith and new hope.

Where do the proceeds go?

Caring for Ex-Offenders and The Regeneration Trust
Working across prisons and estates in London, CFEO seeks to enable prisoners to break the cycle of crime and re-integrate successfully back into society.

Where do the proceeds go?

Hope Rwanda
Provides sustainable solutions to poverty that leads to the restoration of hope for the people of Rwanda, primarily by building homes for widows and orphans.

Where do the proceeds go?

Shaohannah's Hope
Dedicated to helping prospective adoptive parents overcome the financial barriers associated with adoption.

Where do the proceeds go?

For The Silent
Working to bring an end to the sexual exploitation, trafficking and slavery of children worldwide.

Where do the proceeds go?

Beanz Meanz Livez
In the UK 88% of Britons have an estimated £10 in change lost in their house. BML provides a means of collecting the coins and uses the money to provide clean water for families and children in India.

Where do the proceeds go?

Restoring the Sound
Preventing African schoolgoers from getting caught in a culture of gangs and violence. Restore The Sound uses music as a means to better themselves and their community.

Where do the proceeds go?

Baby Watoto
In Uganda, abandoned children - from newborns to two-year-olds - are given care, medical support and a loving environment and a future in a family as part of the Watoto Community.

Where do the proceeds go?

Living Hope Community Centre
Plays a vital role in the prevention, care, treatment and support of people infected and affected by HIV and AIDS, and other chronic illnesses in Cape Town, South Africa.

Where do the proceeds go?

Lakewood Missions
Reaches out with hope and compassion through medical and humanitarian efforts, to assist people in great need.

Where do the proceeds go?

Links International
From micro-enterprise to clean water, Links International has been serving and inspiring the church to impact local communities around the world since 1985.