World Relief 
The information in this column was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 4/8/2021. To update the information in this column, please email: info@ministrywatch.com
Summary
World Relief is a global Christian humanitarian organization that brings sustainable solutions to the world's greatest problems - disasters, extreme poverty, violence, oppression, and mass displacement. We partner with local churches and community leaders in the U.S. and abroad to bring hope, healing and transformation to the most vulnerable.
Contact information
Mailing address:
World Relief
7 E. Baltimore St.
Baltimore, MD 21202
Website: www.worldrelief.org
Phone: (443) 451-1900
Email: worldrelief@wr.org
Organization details
EIN: 236393344
CEO/President: Tim Breene
Chairman: Steve Moore
Board size: 13
Founder: National Association of Evangelicals
Year founded: 1964
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 09/30
Member of ECFA: Yes
Member of ECFA since: 1980
Purpose
Church Centered: Working with the local church is not only a good strategy, it's at the very heart of our work. We believe that God gave us a plan to save our broken world, and that it begins with his church, and his people, leading the way. We want to see local churches creating and leading change in their communities.
Holistic: We believe in transformation of the whole person - mind, body and spirit. That's why our programs focus on addressing the root causes of poverty and vulnerability that often stem from harmful beliefs and practices. Beyond physical change, we focus on driving mental, social, and spiritual transformation.
Sustainable: We understand that lasting change requires more than quick fixes and band-aid solutions. That's why we rely on local leaders to implement our programs. Over 95% of our staff are local - people who know and love their communities and will remain long after we depart.
Mission statement
At World Relief our mission is to empower the local church to serve the most vulnerable.
Statement of faith
1. We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God.
2. We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
3. We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory.
4. We believe that for the salvation of lost and sinful people, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential.
5. We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life.
6. We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; they that are saved unto the resurrection of life and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation.
7. We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Transparency grade
A
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Relief and Development
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 443 of 844 | 37 of 70 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 508 of 844 | 45 of 70 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 552 of 844 | 47 of 70 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 243 of 844 | 22 of 70 |
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 7% | 8% | 8% | 7% | 6% | 6% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 6% | 8% | 8% | 6% | 6% | 6% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 98% | 90% | 91% | 91% | 91% | 90% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 6% | 7% | 7% | 6% | 6% | 5% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 2% | 10% | 9% | 9% | 9% | 10% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 86% | 83% | 82% | 83% | 84% | 84% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 98% | 103% | 103% | 99% | 100% | 102% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 84% | 86% | 84% | 82% | 84% | 86% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 2% | -3% | -3% | 1% | 0% | -2% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 5% | -14% | -12% | 6% | 1% | -6% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 6% | 10% | 11% | 10% | 10% | 10% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 1.93 | 2.72 | 2.70 | 2.52 | 2.48 | 2.37 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 1.34 | 1.45 | 1.40 | 1.89 | 1.98 | 1.55 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 2.95 | 3.94 | 3.78 | 4.76 | 4.91 | 3.68 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 8.23 | 3.17 | 3.82 | 2.57 | 2.45 | 2.96 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.11 | 0.32 | 0.26 | 0.39 | 0.41 | 0.34 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 3.06 | 2.09 | 2.34 | 1.54 | 1.45 | 2.16 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 13% | 36% | 33% | 38% | 40% | 41% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 10% | 12% | 16% | 17% | 15% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 41% | 24% | 25% | 25% | 24% | 25% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
| Cash | $9,261,761 | $10,346,915 | $8,594,680 | $7,216,274 | $7,113,719 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $5,790,544 | $6,940,078 | $7,132,699 | $7,083,306 | $6,047,936 |
| Short-term investments | $1,009,825 | $694,328 | $663,537 | $182,751 | $224,494 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $200,000 | $0 | $0 | $4,445,292 |
| Total current assets | $16,062,130 | $18,181,321 | $16,390,916 | $14,482,331 | $17,831,441 |
| Long-term investments | $643,586 | $667,976 | $7,353,244 | $7,321,465 | $5,681,726 |
| Fixed assets | $4,036,623 | $4,210,921 | $4,403,228 | $4,485,559 | $4,143,872 |
| Other long-term assets | $2,521,917 | $2,439,141 | $2,857,070 | $2,432,915 | $0 |
| Total long-term assets | $7,202,126 | $7,318,038 | $14,613,542 | $14,239,939 | $9,825,598 |
| Total assets | $23,264,256 | $25,499,359 | $31,004,458 | $28,722,270 | $27,657,039 |
| Liabilities | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $3,921,359 | $4,702,054 | $5,905,702 | $5,261,472 | $5,783,986 |
| Other current liabilities | $1,145,547 | $52,824 | $480,282 | $646,818 | $231,496 |
| Total current liabilities | $5,066,906 | $4,754,878 | $6,385,984 | $5,908,290 | $6,015,482 |
| Debt | $2,411,738 | $3,063,243 | $4,863,753 | $4,901,689 | $4,012,256 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $882,319 | $678,552 | $614,678 | $715,130 | $1,202,192 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $3,294,057 | $3,741,795 | $5,478,431 | $5,616,819 | $5,214,448 |
| Total liabilities | $8,360,963 | $8,496,673 | $11,864,415 | $11,525,109 | $11,229,930 |
| Net assets | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
| Unrestricted | $11,531,592 | $12,091,348 | $14,751,539 | $14,271,761 | $13,211,236 |
| Temporarily restricted | $3,371,701 | $4,911,338 | $4,388,504 | $2,925,400 | $3,215,873 |
| Permanently restricted | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Net assets | $14,903,293 | $17,002,686 | $19,140,043 | $17,197,161 | $16,427,109 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
| Total contributions | $55,017,381 | $60,835,420 | $72,403,022 | $65,207,803 | $57,859,140 |
| Program service revenue | $1,321,479 | $990,013 | $988,818 | $870,919 | $1,867,893 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other revenue | $4,821,347 | $4,937,159 | $5,802,478 | $5,231,367 | $4,909,155 |
| Total other revenue | $6,142,826 | $5,927,172 | $6,791,296 | $6,102,286 | $6,777,048 |
| Total revenue | $61,160,207 | $66,762,592 | $79,194,318 | $71,310,089 | $64,636,188 |
| Expenses | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
| Program services | $52,435,785 | $56,336,079 | $65,095,631 | $59,963,359 | $55,336,813 |
| Management and general | $6,197,125 | $7,384,363 | $8,066,719 | $7,059,183 | $6,730,223 |
| Fundraising | $4,617,574 | $5,065,556 | $4,895,120 | $4,146,330 | $3,566,997 |
| Total expenses | $63,250,484 | $68,785,998 | $78,057,470 | $71,168,872 | $65,634,033 |
| Change in net assets | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
| Surplus (deficit) | ($2,090,277) | ($2,023,406) | $1,136,848 | $141,217 | ($997,845) |
| Other changes in net assets | ($9,116) | ($113,951) | $806,034 | $628,835 | $11,898 |
| Total change in net assets | ($2,099,393) | ($2,137,357) | $1,942,882 | $770,052 | ($985,947) |
Compensation
| Name | Title | Compensation |
| Rene Ordogne | Chief Financial Officer | $174,626 |
| Scott Arbeiter | President | $171,330 |
| Kevin Sanderson | Chief Administrative Officer | $171,199 |
| Emily Gray | Sr VP Us Programs | $158,013 |
| Tim Breene | CEO | $157,749 |
| Mark Reddy | Sr VP Brand | $155,682 |
| Kathleen Leslie | Sr VP Human Capital & Gene | $143,222 |
| Jenny Yang | Sr VP Advocacy | $136,034 |
Compensation data as of: 9/30/2019
Response from ministry
No response has been provided by this ministry.
The information below was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 4/8/2021. To update the information below, please email: info@ministrywatch.com
History
1940s - The War Relief Commission of the NAE is founded in NYC to address urgent humanitarian needs in war-torn Europe.
Food and clothing are shipped from the US and channeled through a network of churches in Europe's hardest-hit cities.
War Relief Commission's motto: "Food for the body and food for the soul."
1950s - The War Relief Commission changes its name to World Relief and launches an aid program in Korea, serving 31,000 hot meals a day at 140 feeding centers. In other areas of the world, partnerships with evangelical churches are established.
1960 - Dr. C. N. Hosteller, World Relief's chairman, joins President Kennedy's "Food for Peace" committee to help get more food to the world's poorest regions.
1961 - Taiwan: Aid for lepers; Egypt: Aid for orphans; Korean: Aid for flood victims; China and Chile: Aid for earthquake survivors
1964 - Burundi: clothing, food and medicine benefit 67,000 people; Hong Kong: 2,000 vulnerable children participate in a daily feeding program
1965 - Vietnam, World Relief launches agricultural training and supports health programs in Nhatrang Christian Hospital.
1968 - Chile: "Food for work" programs assist 94,000 people.
1970
Peru - World Relief provides vital aid to earthquake victims;
Bangladesh - following a devastating cyclone, World Relief helps dig 200 new wells, distribute food, rebuild homes and care for 200,000 orphans.
1972
Vietnam - World Relief cares for 100,000 war-displaced people;
Ethiopia - World Relief responds to severe famine.
1975
Cambodia - World Relief provides food and medical care to refugees fleeing the Khmer Rouge genocide.
1979
US - World Relief launches its refugee resettlement ministry, helping Vietnamese boat people adjust to life in America.
World Relief is the only evangelical agency authorized by the US State Department to resettle refugees.
1981
Philippines - World Relief helps churches bring relief and hope in a time of political and economic turmoil and natural disasters. By 1990, more than 10,000 new churches have been started.
1983 - Actor Charlton Heston hosts World Relief's first television special, "When Will the Dying Stop?" The special focuses on Bangladesh and India. Heston says World Relief has shown him the importance of empowering the poor to improve their own lives.
1985 - World Relief's motto is: "When all is said and done, make sure more is done than said."
1987
El Salvador - World Relief and churches rebuild 5,500 homes after a devastating earthquake strikes.
1988
Haiti - World Relief launches the "Alive at Five" program, providing immunizations and other measures aimed at protecting vulnerable children under 5.
Indonesia - World Relief builds a hydroelectric dam to supply electricity to a hospital serving a community of 2,000 people.
1989
Mozambique - World Relief provides food, clothing and shelter for 10,000 victims of war.
1994 - World Relief responds to the genocide in Rwanda, assisting 42,000 traumatized and displaced people. Vital relief also helps war victims in Croatia and Serbia during the Balkans crisis.
1997 - World Relief launches its microfinance program - called LifeLoans - providing credit services to 34,642 vulnerable people in Asia, Africa and Latin America.
1998 - Mobilizing for Life - World Relief's church-centered program to confront AIDS - gets under way in Rwanda and Mozambique, focusing on AIDS awareness, prevention and care.
2001 - World Relief relocated its headquarters to Baltimore, Maryland, under the leadership of Dr. Clive Calver. Within weeks of the move, World Relief responds to the aftermath of the 9-11 terrorist attacks, supporting church-centered trauma counseling services in NYC.
2003
Verhonga - World Relief's child survival program in Mozambique - reports amazing results: 91% of infants fully vaccinated, 97% of malnourished children receive enriched porridge, and 85% sleep under mosquito nets.
2004
World Relief responds to the catastrophic Asia tsunami, focusing on the hardest-hit region of Aceh Province, Indonesia. World Relief opens its immigration Legal Clinic in Baltimore, providing affordable services to immigrants, including victims of trafficking and domestic violence.
2005 - Church teams supported by World Relief respond to Hurricane Katrina, rebuilding homes along the storm-ravaged Gulf Coast and counseling traumatized survivors. Across the globe in war-torn Darfur, World Relief and partners provide relief and care for 35,000 uprooted people.
2009 - In Cambodia, World Relief's Hope program gives birth to more than 800 indigenous cell churches.
2014 - World Relief celebrates its 70th birthday and 35 years of refugee resettlement in the United States. In total, World Relief has welcomed over 250 thousand refugees from more than 80 countries.
2014 - World Relief partners with MAP International to respond to the largest Ebola epidemic in history. World Relief provides medical training and supplies to those affected by the devastating outbreak in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia.
During a time of unprecedented displacement, World Relief stands with the more than 10 million men, women and children forced from their homes in Iraq and Syria. World Relief works with local churches to provide winter weather gear and trauma healing for the displaced.
2015 - World Relief celebrates 20 years of Care Groups. Developed from World Relief's first Child Survival project in Mozambique, Dr. Pieter Ernst designed a way to reach a large group of people through generating a network of health worker volunteers within each local community. Implemented in over 21 countries, 23 NGOs have adopted this model of caregiving. Dr. Ernst was awarded the 2014 Dory Storms Child Survival Recognition in honor of this lifesaving program.
Program accomplishments
Needs
As with most relief organizations, World Relief is not endowed. Continual funding remains needed to assure continuity of on-going programs and expansion to new areas.
There are a variety of ways to volunteer and join World Relief in helping people who are in need. There are many opportunities throughout the United States as well as internationally. Please visit the World Relief website at www.wr.org for details.