Mercy Corps 
Summary
Mercy Corps helps people in the world's toughest places turn the crises of natural disaster, poverty and conflict into opportunities for progress. Driven by local needs, our programs provide communities with the tools and support they need to transform their own lives. Mercy Corps has a worldwide team of 3,700 professionals improving the lives of 16.7 million people in more than 40 countries. Mercy Corps was founded in 1979 by Dan O'Neill.
Mercy Corps' 30 years of experience shows that turmoil and tragedy often create opportunities for lasting, positive change. We support these opportunities with community-led and market-driven action. To endure, such change requires that communities, government and businesses solve problems in a spirit of accountability and full participation. We help key players cooperate to create secure, productive and just communities.
This organization is a nonprofit. Contributions to it are fully tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Contact information
Mailing address:
45 SW Ankeny Street
Portland, OR 97204-7204
Website: www.mercycorps.org
Phone: (503) 896-5000
Email: info@mercycorps.org
Organization details
EIN: 911148123
CEO/President: Mr. Neal Keny-Guyer
Chairman: Ms. Linda A. Mason
Board size: 18
Founder: Mr. Dan O'Neill
Year founded: 1979
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 06/30
Member of ECFA: No
Member of ECFA since:
Purpose
Mercy Corps ("MC") is the headquarters of an international family of humanitarian organizations. MC's goal is to build a global movement of organizations committed to alleviating poverty and finding peaceful solutions to social problems. The organization's purpose is to assist the world's poor through emergency relief, self-help development projects and development education. Additionally, the organization seeks to educate and motivate the public regarding the poor and to work for peace and justice. MC believes in innovation. They see themselves as a world leader in helping communities recover from emergencies, build stronger societies and find long-term solutions to poverty. MC understands that global poverty is a complex problem rooted in history, geography, economics and politics. MC was founded in 1979 by Dan O'Neill. It's headquarters are found in the United States and in Scotland.
This organization is a nonprofit. Contributions to it are fully tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Mission statement
Mercy Corps' Mission is to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive and just communities across the globe.
Statement of faith
Mercy Corps uses the following to express its Statement of Values:
We believe in the intrinsic value and dignity of human life.
We are awed by human resilience, and believe in the ability of all people to thrive, not just exist.
Our spiritual and humanitarian values compel us to act.
We believe that all people have the right to live in peaceful communities and participate fully in the decisions that affect their lives.
We believe that human imagination and energy can inspire innovations solutions to any problem, no matter how intractable.
We believe that it is our duty to be effective stewards of the financial resources entrusted to us.
Transparency grade
C
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Relief and Development
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 127 of 593 | 29 of 68 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 135 of 593 | 23 of 68 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 218 of 593 | 38 of 68 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 246 of 593 | 40 of 68 |
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Median % for all ministries in MW database | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 8% | 4% | 4% | 4% | 4% | 4% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 6% | 4% | 4% | 4% | 4% | 4% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 93% | 94% | 94% | 95% | 94% | 91% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 6% | 4% | 4% | 4% | 4% | 4% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 7% | 6% | 6% | 5% | 6% | 9% |
| Operating ratios | Median % for all ministries in MW database | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 82% | 85% | 85% | 86% | 87% | 86% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 98% | 100% | 100% | 99% | 100% | 97% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 80% | 85% | 85% | 85% | 86% | 83% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 2% | 0% | 0% | 1% | 0% | 3% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 3% | 1% | 1% | 5% | 2% | 13% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 11% | 11% | 11% | 10% | 10% | 10% |
| Investing ratios | Median measure for all ministries in MW database | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 1.04 | 1.35 | 1.36 | 1.44 | 1.47 | 1.38 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 1.73 | 1.13 | 1.14 | 1.16 | 1.19 | 1.23 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 2.18 | 1.53 | 1.54 | 1.67 | 1.75 | 1.70 |
| Liquidity ratios | Median measure for all ministries in MW database | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 8.84 | 1.61 | 1.74 | 1.78 | 2.31 | 2.50 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.11 | 0.62 | 0.58 | 0.56 | 0.43 | 0.40 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 4.72 | 2.99 | 3.30 | 3.15 | 3.90 | 4.24 |
| Solvency ratios | Median % for all ministries in MW database | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 11% | 70% | 69% | 66% | 67% | 64% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 2% | 2% | 3% | 3% | 4% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 77% | 22% | 23% | 23% | 23% | 26% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
| Cash | $126,831,000 | $135,791,000 | $132,226,000 | $114,476,000 | $73,883,000 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $174,040,000 | $145,394,000 | $121,859,000 | $118,923,000 | $122,783,000 |
| Short-term investments | $19,286,000 | $23,870,000 | $18,061,000 | $15,635,000 | $9,984,000 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $320,157,000 | $305,055,000 | $272,146,000 | $249,034,000 | $206,650,000 |
| Long-term investments | $3,966,000 | $4,122,000 | $3,625,000 | $6,544,000 | $8,347,000 |
| Fixed assets | $37,027,000 | $38,207,000 | $40,160,000 | $40,704,000 | $40,108,000 |
| Other long-term assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total long-term assets | $40,993,000 | $42,329,000 | $43,785,000 | $47,248,000 | $48,455,000 |
| Total assets | $361,150,000 | $347,384,000 | $315,931,000 | $296,282,000 | $255,105,000 |
| Liabilities | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $63,510,000 | $63,955,000 | $52,907,000 | $39,794,000 | $41,547,000 |
| Other current liabilities | $135,020,000 | $111,759,000 | $99,850,000 | $68,070,000 | $40,976,000 |
| Total current liabilities | $198,530,000 | $175,714,000 | $152,757,000 | $107,864,000 | $82,523,000 |
| Debt | $8,096,000 | $8,368,000 | $9,782,000 | $10,017,000 | $10,260,000 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $47,927,000 | $55,963,000 | $47,537,000 | $79,786,000 | $71,108,000 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $56,023,000 | $64,331,000 | $57,319,000 | $89,803,000 | $81,368,000 |
| Total liabilities | $254,553,000 | $240,045,000 | $210,076,000 | $197,667,000 | $163,891,000 |
| Net assets | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
| Unrestricted | $97,980,000 | $97,066,000 | $88,660,000 | $77,544,000 | $66,303,000 |
| Temporarily restricted | $8,617,000 | $10,273,000 | $17,195,000 | $21,071,000 | $24,911,000 |
| Permanently restricted | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Net assets | $106,597,000 | $107,339,000 | $105,855,000 | $98,615,000 | $91,214,000 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
| Total contributions | $457,777,000 | $445,264,000 | $435,400,000 | $411,328,000 | $331,919,000 |
| Program service revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $30,093,000 | $25,316,000 | $23,896,000 | $24,386,000 | $28,952,000 |
| Other revenue | $1,415,000 | $1,192,000 | $1,280,000 | $909,000 | $2,749,000 |
| Total other revenue | $31,508,000 | $26,508,000 | $25,176,000 | $25,295,000 | $31,701,000 |
| Total revenue | $489,285,000 | $471,772,000 | $460,576,000 | $436,623,000 | $363,620,000 |
| Expenses | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
| Program services | $414,988,000 | $401,509,000 | $392,395,000 | $377,178,000 | $301,766,000 |
| Management and general | $55,617,000 | $50,393,000 | $44,963,000 | $41,790,000 | $35,452,000 |
| Fundraising | $18,146,000 | $18,929,000 | $18,003,000 | $15,849,000 | $14,235,000 |
| Total expenses | $488,751,000 | $470,831,000 | $455,361,000 | $434,817,000 | $351,453,000 |
| Change in net assets | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
| Surplus (deficit) | $534,000 | $941,000 | $5,215,000 | $1,806,000 | $12,167,000 |
| Other changes in net assets | ($1,276,000) | $543,000 | $2,025,000 | $5,595,000 | $5,017,000 |
| Total change in net assets | ($742,000) | $1,484,000 | $7,240,000 | $7,401,000 | $17,184,000 |
Response from ministry
No response has been provided by this ministry.
History
Mercy Corps was founded in 1979 as Save the Refugees Fund, an autonomous task force called together by Dan O'Neill in response to the emergency relief needs of the Cambodian boat people.
With the support of First Lady Rosalynn Carter, singer Pat Boone, Cardinal Bernard Law and other prominent Americans, the Fund was successful in meeting relief needs in Cambodia, and later expanded its efforts to help vulnerable people in other nations. In 1981, the Fund was re-named Mercy Corps International to reflect its broadened humanitarian role.
In 1982, MC launched their first sustainable development program in Honduras. Over the years, MC programs have become models for quick-response and high-impact relief and development around the globe. In recent years, MC has become a leader in integrating civil society initiatives and human rights advocacy into humanitarian assistance. MC also formed strategic partnerships with Proyecto Aldea Global (1989), MerciPhil (1993), Scottish European Aid (1996) and Pax World Service (1997) to build a global humanitarian network.
In 2001 they changed their name by dropping the "International" and going with just "Mercy Corps."
Program accomplishments
Since 1979, Mercy Corps has provided $1.95 billion in assistance to people in 107 nations. In fiscal 2009 (July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009), the resources of our global operations totaled $277 million. Our global operating budget for fiscal 2010 (July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010) is $278 million.
Better Business Bureau
Mercy Corps meets all 20 of the Better Business Bureau's standards for charity accountability.
American Institute of Philanthropy
The American Institute of Philanthropy, a leading charity watchdog agency, awarded Mercy Corps an "A-" for financial efficiency in its December 2009 rating guide.
Charity Navigator
Mercy Corps received the highest rating in organizational efficiency from Charity Navigator, the premier American charity evaluator, based on how we allocate money among programs, administration and fundraising, and how efficiently we use our fundraising resources. Our overall rating is three stars, which "exceeds or meets industry standards and performs as well as or better than most charities in its Cause."
Fast Company
Mercy Corps was selected as a winner of the 2008 Fast Company/Monitor Group Social Capitalist Award. Fast Company identified Mercy Corps as a "top-performing nonprofit" that "insist[s] on serving up smart, bold solutions to seemingly intractable problems." Mercy Corps also was named a recipient of the magazine's 2009 "Social Enterprises of the Year" award for starting a bold banking initiative that could pull millions of people out of poverty in Indonesia.
InterAction
Mercy Corps is a member of InterAction, the largest coalition of America's most reputable international NGOs. We adhere to InterAction's financial and ethical standards in our fundraising and program operations.
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Mercy Corps is one of just a handful of partner organizations featured in the Global Development section of the 2008 Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Annual Report. The report notes that "in emergencies, there is often a gap between immediate relief and longer-term recovery" and says that "...Mercy Corps exemplifies how our response is helping to bridge that gap." Although the Foundation made $18.9 million in grants for the Global Food Crisis, they chose to highlight Mercy Corps' projects.Needs
Donate Now Make your gift online to needy people around the world via our safe and secure web server. Giving online is easy and secure. People around the world need your help.
Monthly Giving Change takes commitment. Put your beliefs into action and become a monthly donor through the Partners in Mercy program. A dollar a day is all it takes to make a difference in a child's life!
Mercy Corps Gifts Mercy Corps Gifts are a unique way to honor your friends, loved ones or business associates with a gift that makes a positive difference for vulnerable families and children worldwide. Choose from forty unique gifts including:
1. Women's Small Business - Often, all that stands between the dream of a small business and the reality are a few resources and a little encouragement. (Purchase for $50)
2. Feed a Child - The first few years have a critical influence on how a child grows up. With plentiful, nutritious food, their bodies grow strong and healthy, and their minds develop quickly for a lifetime of learning. (Purchase for $25)
3. Outfit a Classroom - A well-equipped classroom invites exploration and discovery. Given the right tools, a teacher can engage her students to learn about each other and the world around them. (Purchase for $125)