Project Compassion has made the portrait request process as easy as possible for our heroes' loved ones. Yet, we need you to do your part.

Project Compassion portraits may be requested ONLY by the designated primary next of kin of a fallen American military service member who has passed away in active service since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, regardless of the location or circumstances of death. We will not accept portrait requests from friends, associates, community organizations, neighbors and relatives who are not designated primary next of kin, to help ensure that those who are not entitled to this valuable work of art do not acquire it at the expense of the next of kin.

We deeply regret that Project Compassion is not funded for portraits of heroes who do not meet the above requirements, such as those who have served in other military conflicts prior to 9/11/2001 such as policemen, firefighters, border patrol, accident or murder victims, etc. However, Project Compassion artists welcome inquiries for commissioned portraits of such persons (see: Contact Project Compassion Artists, below).

The following material must be submitted to Project Compassion via certified or registered U.S. Mail, FedEx or UPS, which next of kin will need to keep to verify receipt or track the status of portrait request submissions. Project Compassion no longer accepts portrait requests and photos via email, and will not search and download online photo albums, tribute websites, memorial programs, videos, or newspapers in lieu of our submission requirements.

• A minimum of three (3) high-resolution, quality color photographs of your fallen hero. Head and face images are especially important. The images do not have to be in military uniform, at your discretion. Please write the name of the soldier on the back of each photo.
• A brief note providing the fallen hero's full name, rank, branch of service and hometown/home state, name and shipping address (no P.O. boxes, please) for receipient of the completed portrait, including phone number (required by shipper).
• OPTIONAL: Any other supporting material you wish to share with Project Compassion about your fallen hero and his loved ones.

Due to the volume of portrait requests, Project Compassion does not accept requests for a specific artist to create individual portraits. to prevent the overburdening of any one artist. All of our artists are gallery-represented, award winning and/or published portrait professionals who have been accepted to Project Compassion on the basis of a rigorous application and review process to meet our extremely high standards.

Project Compassion is not funded for duplicate portraits. If there is more than one designated primary next of kin for your fallen hero, it is up to the family to determine who will receive the Project Compassion original portrait and advise Project Compassion appropriately. We do not create or provide serigraphs, prints or reproductions of original portraits. Those who are interested in frameable duplicates of Project Compassion portraits should contact their local professional photography studios, service bureaus or FedEx/Kinko's for information on available reproduction or reprint options.

The American Legion Auxiliary, the largest patriotic women's service organization in the world with over 900,000 members, noted in awarding Project Compassion its 2007 Public Service Award: "Project Compassion struck a chord with us: healing through art... [and] the understanding and knowledge that the arts, in any form, have a curative value. Art can heal the soul and the mind. Project Compassion is helping our military families cope with a tragic loss [and] ...the wounds of their service to our nation." Every one of the thousands of calls, letters, cards, and emails which have poured into Project Compassion from around the world confirm the need for Project Compassion, a need we ourselves never imagined was so profound until we simply began sending portraits to soldiers' families, one at a time. Project Compassion is our privilege, the privilege of knowing we have actually made a difference in the lives of military families for generations to come.

As the word spreads about Project Compassion and we reach increasing numbers of loved ones of our fallen, our material expenses required to serve them continues to also grow. Whether for art supplies, essential office supplies and services such as shipping, or to help offset our modest travel expenses for the community and service presentations that frequently come our way, every dollar, in-kind gift and gesture helps us. We're proud of our careful management of your generosity, and you can designate your donation to any aspect of our organization you with. Remember because Project Compassion is a permanent, certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit humanitarian organization, your gifts are tax-deductible. We're so honored by your partnership in the greatest service of all, an enduring gesture of love and appreciation to Americans who have given the ultimate sacrifice for all of us.

Our media friends, broadcast, print and Internet, are true Project Compassion partners in seeing, telling and sharing our story, both to those next of kin we're trying to reach, and to tens of millions of others who are simply inspired to believe in human kindness, no strings attached. Milliions of viewers, listeners and readers have enjoyed interviews with Kaziah, watched as she paints another portrait of a fallen American hero at her goat ranch in central Utah, "met" some of the wonderful families who receive Project Compassion portraits, and contacted us to find out how they, too, might become a Project Compassion artist or form a similar humanitarian effort. We welcome inquiries from all media, large or local, and gladly work with you as needed for interviews, background and images to support the story you envision. We love you guys, and we're here to help you, too. We invite you to download and enjoy selected award-winning media on Project Compassion at our online News/Media page.

The requirements to become a Project Compassion artist are specific and rigorous, but the rewards are profound and we have never had a Project Compassion artist resign, once accepted. Artists must have a print portfolio of 10 to 12 completed samples for review upon request, and if accepted work at a consistently high, gallery-level standard of proficiency of portrait work in oils on 18"x24" canvas. In addition, artists must be able to create and ship a minimum of one finished, framed canvas per week. Project Compassion reimburses artists for all material expenses, plus a modest stipend per painting, as well as from national recognition as a member of this extremely special group through our online and public materials and honors. To apply, please email a brief written summary of your qualifications, reasons for your interest, and contact information and we will respond personally to you. Do not send additional information or digital samples as email attachments unless requested to do so. Final qualification of Project Compassion artists is made by Kaziah Hancock, Founding Artist.

We welcome questions, correspondence and commission inquiries to the Project Compassion artists. All of our artists give of their time and talent apart from their professional, and personal, lives for Project Compassion. At any given time, all of our artists are working on between 25 and 40 paintings for Project Compassion and, toegether, they ship an average of 40 paintings per month to the next of kin of our fallen heroes. To protect their time, please direct your inquiries to any of our artists, including Kaziah, to our office. Your message will be forwarded immediately for a personal reply from the artist.