CompassionateUSA is a national initiative dedicated to advancing compassion as a unifying force in civic life across the United States. Its mission is to support individuals, communities, institutions, and local governments in cultivating compassion as a practical ethic—one that strengthens democracy, fosters social cohesion, and responds to the needs of people and the planet with dignity and care.

Mission and Vision

The mission of CompassionateUSA is to build a culture of compassion in the United States by empowering communities and leaders to act with empathy, responsibility, and respect for shared humanity. Its vision is a nation where compassion guides public life—where policies, institutions, and community practices are shaped by concern for justice, inclusion, well-being, and the common good.

CompassionateUSA recognizes that compassion must be lived locally while connected nationally. By supporting community-based initiatives and encouraging collaboration across sectors, it helps translate compassionate values into tangible action, especially in times of social division, uncertainty, and change.

Core Areas of Focus

CompassionateUSA works to:

• Support the development of compassionate cities and communities
• Foster compassionate civic engagement and leadership
• Strengthen collaboration among nonprofits, local governments, and grassroots groups
• Promote education and dialogue rooted in empathy and mutual respect
• Advance practical tools for building compassionate systems and relationships

Relationship to the Charter for Compassion and Charter 2.0

CompassionateUSA is closely aligned with the global vision of the Charter for Compassion, serving as a vital national partner within the United States. This relationship is especially significant within the framework of Charter 2.0, which emphasizes capacity-building, collaboration, and measurable impact across sectors and regions.

Charter 2.0 calls for compassion to be embedded not only in individual behavior, but in institutions, policies, and public culture. CompassionateUSA advances this vision by:

• Supporting local communities in moving from commitment to implementation
• Creating bridges between grassroots compassion initiatives and national networks
• Helping scale effective models while honoring local context and leadership
• Amplifying the Charter’s mission across the U.S. civic landscape

Within the Compassion Transformation Institute, CompassionateUSA brings essential expertise in national coordination and community-based action, demonstrating how compassion can serve as both a moral compass and a practical strategy for strengthening democracy and social trust.

Together, CompassionateUSA and the Charter for Compassion affirm that compassion is not a peripheral value in American life—it is a necessary foundation for a just, inclusive, and resilient society.