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Compassion is Growing: The 2025 Compassion Report
Interest in compassion is growing.
Recently, we were very happy to see Compassion Institute mentioned in an article featured in The Conversation authored by Tara Sonenshine, Edward R. Murrow Professor of Practice in Public Diplomacy, Tufts University. Sonenshine’s article, titled “Even as polarization surges, Americans believe they live in a compassionate country,” references a ground-breaking report by the Muhammed Ali Center called “The 2025 Compassion Report” that was released in January of 2025.
Soneshine writes: “The 2025 Compassion Report’s findings show that many Americans still want to live in a compassionate country but also that Americans view the country as less compassionate today than four years ago.”
Despite the polarization, the Ali Center report states that “Remarkably, compassion-related online searches have skyrocketed by 4,000% over the past five years, signaling a growing national interest for empathy and understanding.”
This seems to indicate what neuroscience, psychology, and contemplative traditions agree upon – that compassion is an essential part of our humanity.
As the Ali Center states, “The 2025 Compassion Report aims to develop innovative solutions for measuring, predicting and cultivating compassionate action, enabling leaders to address both immediate and emerging community challenges.”
In addition, Compassion Institute was fortunate enough to recently partner with Desmond Upton Patton, PhD, MSW, Brian and Randi Schwartz University Professor of Social Policy and Communications. Desmond is also a PIK Professor and Chief Strategy Officer, School of Social Policy and Practice SAFElab Director Faculty Director: Penn Center for Inclusive Innovation and Tech (PCIIT) University of Pennsylvania. As a leader who is actively applying a compassion lens systemically to his work, Patton shared a blog detailing his belief in the power of compassion and the work of Compassion Institute.
In his blog, Desmond writes,
“Compassion Institute’s work also influenced my vision for institutional change. Recognizing the profound need for compassionate leadership in higher education, I partnered with their incredible team to bring their expertise to the University of Pennsylvania. Together, we co-developed a training experience aimed at providing practical tools for managing complex times and leading with empathy and care. These trainings, held in the fall of 2024, were offered to faculty, staff, and students at the Annenberg School for Communication and the School of Social Policy and Practice. They were a resounding success — equipping participants with actionable strategies for fostering supportive and inclusive environments.
Compassion Institute’s approach provided a refreshing counter-narrative, emphasizing that compassion is not a weakness or a luxury but a necessity for sustainable success. It’s my hope that these trainings will become embedded in the culture and practices of these schools, serving as a foundation for how we engage with one another moving forward.”
We know that there is a growing need for and interest in compassion. With compassion entering the zeitgeist, we are honored to continue partnering with leaders, changemakers, and institutions to advance these conversations. Individuals, organizations, and communities can all contribute to advancing compassion as a guiding principle to foster a more caring world.
We know that there is a growing need for and interest in compassion. With compassion entering the zeitgeist, we are honored to continue partnering with leaders, changemakers, and institutions to advance these conversations. Individuals, organizations, and communities can all contribute to advancing compassion as a guiding principle to foster a more caring world.
To learn more about how you can gain tools, resources, and ideas for activating your compassion muscle, find our list of upcoming courses here.
Click here to read more compassion blogs and stories.