Lutheran World Relief

The information on this page was last updated 5/9/2023. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]


Summary

Founded in 1945 by Lutherans in the U.S., Lutheran World Relief is an international aid and development organization that partners with communities to help them develop productive and stable economies, improve resilience in the face of a changing climate, and respond to natural disasters and humanitarian crises. In 2019, Lutheran World Relief joined the Corus International family, an ensemble of global leaders united in a commitment to ending poverty, suffering and injustice once and for all.

At Lutheran World Relief, we envision a future where all people, in every corner of the world can live full, dignified lives.

Founded by Lutherans in the United States at the end of World War II, grounded in Lutheran theology and building on decades of experience, Lutheran World Relief tackles global poverty by helping people adapt to the challenges that threaten their livelihoods and well-being. We work with people based on need, regardless of race, religion or nationality and we do not evangelize.

We provide aid in emergencies and help families restore their lives. We partner with communities to build and grow rural economies. We break the cycle of poverty, so families and communities can thrive.

Our goal is to help people build self-sufficiency and create new community-owned approaches to problem-solving that will last long after our projects end.


Contact information

Mailing address:
Lutheran World Relief
PO Box 17061
Baltimore , MD 21297-1061

Website: lwr.org

Phone: 800-597-5972

Email: [email protected]


Organization details

EIN: 132574963

CEO/President: Shelly Talcott

Chairman: Jean Hanson

Board size: 15

Founder: U.S. Lutherans

Ruling year: 1946

Tax deductible: Yes

Fiscal year end: 09/30

Member of ECFA: No

Member of ECFA since:


Purpose

A healthy world forever flourishing in dignity and justice.


Mission statement

Affirming God's love for all people, we work with Lutherans and partners around the world to end poverty, injustice and human suffering.


Statement of faith

Our Lutheran Identity:

We love, because God first loved us. Lutheran World Relief's work is a labor of love. We love, because God first loved us. God's grace calls us and sends us out into the world to help our brothers and sisters living in poverty.
br> We serve our neighbor with impact and integrity. We uphold the Fifth and Seventh Commandments by working for resilient communities and just economies.

God works through human institutions. While other organizations are called to preach the gospel, our call to serve our neighbor is equally important.

All people possess dignity and self-worth. Lutheran World Relief brings aid and resources to others with the knowledge that every person we work with is holy, created in the image of God to be joyful and flourish. We realize that we need others as much as they need us. We need their experience, their knowledge, and their vision, and so we commit to walking alongside them in times of hardship rather than trying to lead or dominate.

All people have a vocation (calling). Lutherans believe that God has a calling for every human being that allows us the opportunity to better serve both God and neighbor. It is Lutheran World Relief's vocation to help people use their calling to the fullest extent.

Donor confidence score

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Transparency grade

C

To understand our transparency grade, click here.


Financial efficiency ratings

Sector: Relief and Development

CategoryRatingOverall rankSector rank
Overall efficiency rating1027 of 110179 of 87
Fund acquisition rating888 of 110269 of 87
Resource allocation rating811 of 110264 of 87
Asset utilization rating992 of 110177 of 87

Financial ratios

Funding ratiosSector median20222021202020192018
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts =
Fundraising expense /
Total contributions
6%11%8%7%8%7%
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio =
Fundraising expense /
Total revenue
6%11%8%7%7%6%
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance =
Total contributions /
Total revenue
99%99%99%97%96%93%
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio =
Fundraising expense /
Total expenses
6%17%12%9%7%6%
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance =
Total other revenue /
Total revenue
1%1%1%3%4%7%
 
Operating ratiosSector median20222021202020192018
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio =
Program services /
Total expenses
86%78%84%78%81%84%
Spending ratio Spending ratio =
Total expenses /
Total revenue
97%62%66%78%109%107%
Program output ratio Program output ratio =
Program services /
Total revenue
82%49%55%61%88%90%
Savings ratio Savings ratio =
Surplus (deficit) /
Total revenue
3%38%34%22%-9%-7%
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate =
Surplus (deficit) /
Net assets
6%46%59%28%-14%-11%
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio =
Management and general expense /
Total expenses
6%5%5%13%13%11%
 
Investing ratiosSector median20222021202020192018
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover =
Total expenses /
Total assets
1.510.600.860.751.311.09
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment =
Total assets /
Total current assets
1.241.961.261.601.371.53
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover =
Total expenses /
Total current assets
1.901.181.081.201.801.66
 
Liquidity ratiosSector median20222021202020192018
Current ratio Current ratio =
Total current assets /
Total current liabilities
17.036.004.283.338.467.60
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio =
Total current liabilities /
Total current assets
0.060.170.230.300.120.13
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level =
(Total current assets -
Total current liabilities) /
(Total expenses / 12)
5.818.488.486.995.886.27
 
Solvency ratiosSector median20222021202020192018
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio =
Total liabilities /
Total assets
8%21%25%26%24%31%
Debt ratio Debt ratio =
Debt /
Total assets
0%2%3%7%4%4%
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio =
Net assets /
Total expenses
60%132%87%99%58%64%

Financials

Balance sheet
 
Assets20222021202020192018
Cash$17,651,016$17,752,691$16,040,788$3,814,875$4,142,085
Receivables, inventories, prepaids$19,185,481$16,512,922$10,321,667$7,401,505$8,687,294
Short-term investments$0$0$7,466,370$18,170,167$19,778,321
Other current assets$0$0$0$0$0
Total current assets$36,836,497$34,265,613$33,828,825$29,386,547$32,607,700
Long-term investments$10,873,071$5,193,592$6,620,498$6,462,950$7,411,796
Fixed assets$291,544$406,579$183,380$306,352$404,239
Other long-term assets$24,286,555$3,387,716$13,402,360$4,081,124$9,519,279
Total long-term assets$35,451,170$8,987,887$20,206,238$10,850,426$17,335,314
Total assets$72,287,667$43,253,500$54,035,063$40,236,973$49,943,014
 
Liabilities20222021202020192018
Payables and accrued expenses$5,161,323$6,484,636$4,510,843$3,474,688$4,289,850
Other current liabilities$980,366$1,520,859$5,633,624$0$0
Total current liabilities$6,141,689$8,005,495$10,144,467$3,474,688$4,289,850
Debt$1,265,164$1,418,118$3,819,072$1,679,026$1,801,979
Due to (from) affiliates$0$0$0$0$0
Other long-term liabilities$7,657,702$1,565,613$0$4,645,661$9,372,652
Total long-term liabilities$8,922,866$2,983,731$3,819,072$6,324,687$11,174,631
Total liabilities$15,064,555$10,989,226$13,963,539$9,799,375$15,464,481
 
Net assets20222021202020192018
Without donor restrictions$47,294,674$23,271,834$26,515,714$23,450,781$27,339,133
With donor restrictions$9,928,438$8,992,440$13,555,810$6,986,817$7,139,400
Net assets$57,223,112$32,264,274$40,071,524$30,437,598$34,478,533
 
Revenues and expenses
 
Revenue20222021202020192018
Total contributions$69,208,550$55,890,638$50,427,370$46,842,067$46,984,589
Program service revenue$0$0$0$383,661$789,053
Membership dues$0$0$0$0$0
Investment income$425,907$290,259$1,608,940$891,333$2,688,988
Other revenue$0$0($12,832)$501,005$50,654
Total other revenue$425,907$290,259$1,596,108$1,775,999$3,528,695
Total revenue$69,634,457$56,180,897$52,023,478$48,618,066$50,513,284
 
Expenses20222021202020192018
Program services$34,072,597$31,119,341$31,719,178$42,611,542$45,283,002
Management and general$1,988,866$1,729,104$5,371,374$6,773,355$5,743,404
Fundraising$7,369,238$4,325,264$3,541,172$3,523,710$3,195,617
Total expenses$43,430,701$37,173,709$40,631,724$52,908,607$54,222,023
 
Change in net assets20222021202020192018
Surplus (deficit)$26,203,756$19,007,188$11,391,754($4,290,541)($3,708,739)
Other changes in net assets$0$0$0$0$0
Total change in net assets$26,203,756$19,007,188$11,391,754($4,290,541)($3,708,739)

Compensation

NameTitleCompensation
Daniel SpeckhardPRESIDENT & CEO$552,423
JoAnn TheysSVP Finance & Admin, CFO$296,000
Tim McCullyEVP Impact & Partnership$293,353
Edward ByrdVP EXTERNAL RELATIONS$282,265
Michael WattVP INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS$264,655
Derek ReynoldsVP BUSINESS DEVELOP$254,209
Eveline TavaresCHIEF PEOPLE OFFICER$239,650
Tamar ChitashviliTECH. DIR, MATERNAL & NEONATAL$225,181
Lawrence SthreshleySR. ADVISOR, INNOVATION$217,357
Elena KanevskySR. DIRECTOR, FINANCE$216,955
Lali ChaniaCOUNTRY DIR. TANZANIA$211,991
Andrea M WilsonGENERAL COUNSEL/VP, COMPLIANCE$204,147
William ClemmerSR. REG. TECH ADV, HEALTH$197,806
Kellett FrederickMANAGING DIR, IMACT INVESTING$193,183
Cheri KaseCHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER$180,521
Elise Marie SpearsASSISTANT SECRETARY$66,741

Compensation data as of: 9/30/2022


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 5/9/2023. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]


History

In 1945, World War II left an estimated one-fifth of the world's Lutherans homeless. Here in the United States, Lutheran churches in at least 20 states mobilized to help in Europe through a new agency called Lutheran World Relief.

Much has changed in nearly 75 years. But in thousands of congregations, in millions of offerings and in uncounted prayers, U.S. Lutherans continue to support Lutheran World Relief's work. Lutheran World Relief was there in the late 1940s, when 800,000 Palestinians were forced from their homes by the creation of the state of Israel ... in the early 1950s when Hong Kong, Korea and Bangladesh and much of Asia was mired in strife ... during the 1970s and '80s, when civil wars and drought plagued Africa.

Today, Lutheran World Relief operates in East and West Africa, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East, helping some of the world's poorest communities build the resilience they need to thrive.


Program accomplishments


Needs