Welcome to the
Burke/Springfield/Fairfax Chapter of
The Compassionate Friends

2002 Fact Sheet

Over 200,000 infants, children, teenagers, and young adults will die this year. Nearly 29,000 families will face a stillbirth and 500,000 will suffer a miscarriage. A child’s death at any age, from any cause, is a shattering experience for a family. When a child dies, a family can turn to The Compassionate Friends for the emotional support needed during the long grief journey ahead.

The Compassionate Friends (TCF) is a national non-profit, self-help support organization offering friendship and understanding to families grieving the death of a child of any age, from any cause. There is no religious affiliation. There are no membership fees or dues, and all bereaved family members are welcome. Founded in England in 1969, TCF was established in the United States in 1972, with 501(c)(3) not-for-profit incorporation in 1978, under which provision the organization’s nearly 600 local chapters also operate.

Mission

The mission of The Compassionate Friends is to assist families toward the positive resolution of grief following the death of a child of any age and to provide information to help others be supportive.

Organization

	TCF has a 13 member national volunteer board of directors consisting of bereaved parents and siblings.
	In 24 years, TCF has grown from 40 chapters to nearly 600 serving all 50 states. All chapter leaders are volunteers and are bereaved parents or siblings, as are the 41 regional coordinators.
	TCF’s national office is located in Oak Brook, Illinois. The executive director is supported by a full-time staff of four and two part-time staff members.

Role of Local Chapters

	Local chapters’ regular meetings provide a caring environment in which bereaved parents, grandparents and siblings can work through their grief with the help of others who have “been there.” More than 15,000 attend local chapter meetings each month.
	Outreach is provided to more than 200,000 bereaved families and professionals each month through chapter newsletters, phone calls, notes and personal visits.
	Educational information on parental and sibling grief and the work of TCF is provided to the community through publicity, speaking engagements and the distribution of materials.

Services Provided by the National Organization

	We Need Not Walk Alone, TCF’s award winning magazine, is published quarterly for bereaved families and professionals and addresses grief issues. It also includes information for chapter leadership.
	TCF has joined with Centering Corporation as its recommended bereavement resource supplier. TCF chapters and bereaved families, plus professionals, may purchase books, audiovisual material and other resources and pay no shipping charges by mentioning TCF. Books and pamphlets copyrighted by TCF are available through the national office.
	TCF’s award winning Web site (www.compassionatefriends.org), where information and resources can be viewed, also provides scheduled chats and organizational updates.
	Over 50,000 telephone calls, letters and e-mails are received in the national office annually from bereaved families and professionals, seeking help with grief after the death of a child. Each is answered individually.
	Assistance is provided to existing chapters, as well as those seeking to form a new chapter. Representatives participate in regional and national TCF conferences as speakers and trainers.
	Chapter Leadership Training Programs are conducted at locations throughout the country.
	The national organization directs national public relations and coordinates national fundraising.

Funding

	Although local chapters pay annual fees to the national organization, all contributions from individual members are voluntary. There are no individual dues or fees of any kind.
	TCF’s 2001 budget was $556,600, with over 83% allocated for services to chapters and the public. Administrative and fundraising costs comprise less than 17% of the organization’s total operating budget.
	TCF income is derived from individual member donations, chapter fees and donations, sale of resource material, conference proceeds, and the business and philanthropic communities. All contributions are tax deductible.