The Compassionate Friends
Non-profit OrganizationsIllinois, United States51-200 Employees
The Compassionate Friends is a nonprofit organization providing personal comfort, hope, and support to families who have lost a child or other close relative, helping them navigate the grieving process. Its roots trace to a 40-plus-year history in England, where a chaplain brought grieving parents together and helped form The Society of the Compassionate Friends; the group later established a presence in the United States and was incorporated in Illinois in 1978. The organization is based in Hinsdale, Illinois, and operates as a mid-sized nonprofit with a broad nationwide network. Its services are aimed at bereaved parents, siblings, grandparents, and other family members who seek friendship, understanding, and guidance from local chapters or the national office during the natural grieving process. The Compassionate Friends maintains nearly 600 chapters across all states plus Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and Guam, and has a global presence in more than 30 countries. In October 2025, the organization appointed Andy McNiel as Chief Executive Officer.