Hope Rises International 
The information on this page was last updated 2/27/2026. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
Hope Rises International is the oldest and largest Christian organization in the United States dedicated to CURING and CARING for people affected by leprosy and related diseases.
Since 1906, American Leprosy Missions has provided holistic care to more than FOUR MILLION of the world's most neglected people including medical treatment and training, disease mapping and management, community development and pioneering research.
Contact information
Mailing address:
Hope Rises International
One Alm Way
Greenville, SC 29601
Website: www.hoperises.org
Phone: 800-543-3135
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 135562163
CEO/President: Bill Simmons
Chairman: Neal Joseph
Board size: 9
Founder:
Ruling year: 1955
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 06/30
Member of ECFA: Yes
Member of ECFA since: 1981
Purpose
We work alongside Jesus in expanding His kingdom, as we fulfill our founding purpose of living and proclaiming the gospel to those impacted by NTDs like leprosy. We follow Jesus' example in caring for the marginalized, facilitating physical and spiritual healing for people suffering from NTDs.
In partnership with over 50 different global faith-based and non-governmental organizations, we come alongside the local church to equip pastors and faith leaders with the training, resources, and tools needed to care for their communities physically and spiritually.
This allows us to bring healing and hope to some of the hardest to reach places in the world and make sure that no person remains "invisible."
Mission statement
Hope Rises International works with Christian partners around the world to bring physical healing and enduring hope to people suffering from neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) like leprosy. We support local churches and Christian organizations caring for people marginalized by NTDs in their communities, as we live and proclaim the gospel.
Statement of faith
The Bible.
We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God. (Psalms 12:6; 119:105,160; Proverbs 30:5; II Timothy 1:13; 3:16; II Peter 1:20-21.)
God.
We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Genesis 1:1,26-27; 3:22; Psalms 90:2; Matthew 28:19; II Corinthians 13:14; I Peter 1:2.)
Jesus Christ.
We believe in the deity and humanity of 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, in His present rule as Head of the Church and in His personal return in power and glory. (Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:22-23; John 1:1-5; 14:10-31; Acts 1:9-11; Romans 1:3-4; I Corinthians 15:3-4; I Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 4:14-15.)
Salvation.
We believe that for the salvation of lost and sinful man regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential. (Titus 3:4-5.)
Holy Spirit.
We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life. (John 14:16-17; 16:7-13; Acts 1:8; I Corinthians 2:12; 3:16; II Corinthians 3:17; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 1:13; 5:18.)
Resurrection.
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 barrenness of damnation. (1 Cor. 15:14.)
Spiritual Unity.
We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ, with equality across racial, gender and class differences. (Ps. 133:1; 1 Cor. 12:12-13; Eph. 4:3.)
Articles
| 5/7/2021 | MinistryWatch Podcast: Josh Duggar Arrest, Jerry Falwell Jr. Update, and Donor Advised Funds Explained |
Donor confidence score
Show donor confidence score details
To understand our donor confidence score, click here.
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 | | 1408 of 1435 | 112 of 114 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 1381 of 1435 | 111 of 114 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 1252 of 1435 | 101 of 114 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 1200 of 1436 | 86 of 114 |
According to the organization's Form 990, it received $709,711 in government grants in 2025.
To understand our financial efficiency ratings, click here.
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 6% | 21% | 26% | 16% | 24% | 14% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 5% | 20% | 26% | 16% | 24% | 14% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 98% | 95% | 97% | 99% | 98% | 98% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 5% | 18% | 21% | 18% | 25% | 13% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 2% | 5% | 3% | 1% | 2% | 2% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 86% | 75% | 71% | 77% | 69% | 81% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 99% | 109% | 121% | 89% | 97% | 104% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 84% | 82% | 86% | 68% | 67% | 85% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 1% | -9% | -21% | 11% | 3% | -4% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 4% | -10% | -16% | 11% | 2% | -6% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 7% | 7% | 8% | 6% | 7% | 5% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 1.59 | 1.09 | 0.84 | 0.86 | 0.82 | 1.49 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 1.16 | 2.35 | 1.94 | 1.73 | 1.90 | 1.99 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 2.06 | 2.57 | 1.63 | 1.49 | 1.56 | 2.98 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 12.39 | 5.81 | 6.96 | 13.06 | 17.01 | 21.63 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.06 | 0.17 | 0.14 | 0.08 | 0.06 | 0.05 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 4.90 | 3.87 | 6.29 | 7.43 | 7.26 | 3.85 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 7% | 9% | 10% | 5% | 4% | 3% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 53% | 83% | 108% | 110% | 118% | 65% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Cash | $1,511,839 | $681,062 | $1,234,159 | $1,037,301 | $1,118,787 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $529,205 | $650,632 | $365,917 | $258,490 | $249,548 |
| Short-term investments | $4,682,691 | $6,987,197 | $8,120,223 | $6,022,089 | $6,449,012 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $6,723,735 | $8,318,891 | $9,720,299 | $7,317,880 | $7,817,347 |
| Long-term investments | $8,808,957 | $7,528,270 | $6,922,222 | $6,536,172 | $7,665,613 |
| Fixed assets | $102,762 | $48,188 | $48,899 | $58,620 | $69,039 |
| Other long-term assets | $175,433 | $280,013 | $96,429 | $21,013 | $29,298 |
| Total long-term assets | $9,087,152 | $7,856,471 | $7,067,550 | $6,615,805 | $7,763,950 |
| Total assets | $15,810,887 | $16,175,362 | $16,787,849 | $13,933,685 | $15,581,297 |
| Liabilities | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $474,324 | $406,199 | $419,936 | $282,022 | $309,645 |
| Other current liabilities | $683,930 | $788,692 | $324,182 | $148,296 | $51,720 |
| Total current liabilities | $1,158,254 | $1,194,891 | $744,118 | $430,318 | $361,365 |
| Debt | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $238,141 | $346,204 | $152,739 | $115,829 | $117,876 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $238,141 | $346,204 | $152,739 | $115,829 | $117,876 |
| Total liabilities | $1,396,395 | $1,541,095 | $896,857 | $546,147 | $479,241 |
| Net assets | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Without donor restrictions | $4,481,620 | $5,937,237 | $8,035,250 | $6,001,146 | $6,516,843 |
| With donor restrictions | $9,932,872 | $8,697,030 | $7,855,742 | $7,386,392 | $8,585,213 |
| Net assets | $14,414,492 | $14,634,267 | $15,890,992 | $13,387,538 | $15,102,056 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Total contributions | $15,102,998 | $10,931,980 | $16,190,575 | $11,464,728 | $21,870,469 |
| Program service revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $721,906 | $347,648 | $80,071 | $311,022 | $528,420 |
| Other revenue | $12,269 | $293 | $2,370 | ($61,757) | ($34,571) |
| Total other revenue | $734,175 | $347,941 | $82,441 | $249,265 | $493,849 |
| Total revenue | $15,837,173 | $11,279,921 | $16,273,016 | $11,713,993 | $22,364,318 |
| Expenses | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Program services | $12,971,788 | $9,647,149 | $11,099,098 | $7,827,602 | $18,940,313 |
| Management and general | $1,135,548 | $1,061,158 | $821,954 | $746,052 | $1,271,495 |
| Fundraising | $3,170,163 | $2,887,997 | $2,581,307 | $2,807,065 | $3,050,462 |
| Total expenses | $17,277,499 | $13,596,304 | $14,502,359 | $11,380,719 | $23,262,270 |
| Change in net assets | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Surplus (deficit) | ($1,440,326) | ($2,316,383) | $1,770,657 | $333,274 | ($897,952) |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | ($1,440,326) | ($2,316,383) | $1,770,657 | $333,274 | ($897,952) |
Compensation
| Name | Title | Compensation |
| David W Simmons | President/CEO | $253,285 |
| James Oehrig | VP of Integral Mission | $183,075 |
| Kenneth Wilson | Exec VP Strategy and Ops | $182,482 |
| Beverly H Elmore | VP of Finance & Treasurer | $170,534 |
| Pamela Armstrong Pautz | VP of Development | $162,229 |
| Sarah Hesshaus | VP of Bus. Process & Comm. | $142,847 |
| Melissa Patel | EVP of Programs | $117,130 |
Compensation data as of: 6/30/2025
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 2/27/2026. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
1906 - Thomas Bailey comes to New York seeking a stronger base of support for the London-based Mission to Lepers in India and the East. At his urging, The Committee for the U.S.A. of the Mission to Lepers in India and the East, the organization that would become American Leprosy Missions, is founded in New York City by a group of seven ministers, mission executives and businessmen. The meeting takes place in the home of William Jay Schieffelin in New York City.
For a timeline, visit: www.hoperises.org/who-we-are
Program accomplishments
53,628 people screened for NTDs
5,759 health workers trained in NTD prevention and treatment
9,823 NTD cases identified
$2,487,209 worth of critical medicines and medical supplies sent to the Philippines.
$11,479 worth of medication and treatment for NTDs and other conditions
3,309 people affected by NTDs participated in self-care training
131 surgeries for people affected by leprosy
3,410 prostheses and footwear manufactured
10,022 students and teachers in Nepal educated about WASH and NTDs