The Salvation Army USA / National Headquarters 
The information on this page was last updated 2/7/2022. If you see errors or omissions, please email: info@ministrywatch.com
Summary
The Salvation Army is a religious and charitable organization seeking to meet the physical and spiritual needs of hurting individuals. The structure of The Salvation Army is worldwide in scope. The International Headquarters establishes general policies and is located in London, England. In the United States, the functions of The Salvation Army are coordinated under the direction of a National Commander. The financial information for this profile includes the programs and operations of The Salvation Army National Corporation (National Headquarters) only. National Headquarters provides administrative services to four Territorial Headquarters (Western, Central, Eastern, and Southern Territories) of The Salvation Army in the United States. In the United States, The Salvation Army also comprises of a sixth major organization: "Salvation Army World Service Office" (SAWSO). SAWSO promotes community-based initiatives that improve living conditions and increase skills in poor communities. William Booth founded the early stages of what was to be known later as The Salvation Army in 1852, in England. The Salvation Army's U.S. service began in 1880 and was first incorporated in 1899, in the State of New York.
Contact information
Mailing address:
The Salvation Army USA
615 Slaters Lane
P. O. Box 269
Alexandria, VA 22313-0269
Website: www.SalvationArmyUSA.org
Phone: (800) 725-2769
Email: mediarelations@usn.salvationarmy.org
Organization details
EIN: 222406433
CEO/President: General Brian Peddle & Commissioner Rosalie Peddle
Chairman: Mike Cassling
Board size: 61
Founder: William and Catherine Booth
Ruling year: 1933
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 09/30
Member of ECFA: Yes
Member of ECFA since: 1999
Purpose
The Salvation Army is a religious and charitable organization seeking to meet the physical and spiritual needs of hurting individuals.
For administrative purposes, the nation is divided into four territories:
West, with headquarters in Rancho Palos Verdes, California.
Central, with headquarters in Des Plaines, Illinois.
East, with headquarters in West Nyack, New York.
South, with headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia.
Territories are made up of smaller units known as divisions. There are 40 in the United States and each is headed by a divisional commander. Divisions are made up of corps community centers. The functions of each corps include religious and social services that are adapted to local needs. Each corps is under the supervision of a commanding officer who is responsible for the administration of Army services in his or her command.
Nationwide uniformity of policy is the responsibility of the Commissioners' Conference whose membership includes the national commander, the four territorial commanders, the national chief secretary and the four territorial chief secretaries. Standing commissions study Salvation Army programs and procedures and then make recommendations to the Commissioner's Conference.
Advisory organizations comprised of lay business people and civic leaders perform a valuable service by providing advice, support, and acting as liaison between The Salvation Army and the community. A National Advisory Board of prominent Americans makes its recommendations to the Commissioners' Conference.
The Salvation Army is a member of many religious and social welfare agencies and associations. Legally, each of the four Salvation Army territories in the United States functions as a tax-exempt corporation with the national commander as president.
William Booth founded the early stages of what was to be known later as The Salvation Army in 1852, in England. The Salvation Army's U.S. service began in 1880 and was first incorporated in 1899, in the State of New York.
Mission statement
The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.
Statement of faith
The Salvation Army expresses its statement of faith as follows:
1. We believe that the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments were given by inspiration of God and that they only constitute the divine rule of Christian faith and practice.
2. We believe that there is only one God who is infinitely perfect, the creator, preserver, and governor of all things, and who is the only proper object of religious worship.
3. We believe that there are three persons in the Godhead--the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost who are undivided in essence and co-equal in power and glory.
4. We believe that in the person of Jesus Christ, the Divine and human natures are united, so that He is truly and properly God and truly and properly man.
5. We believe that our first parents were created in a state of innocency. But by their disobedience, they lost their purity and happiness, and that in consequence of their fall all men have become sinners, totally depraved, and as such are justly exposed to the wrath of God.
6. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has by, His suffering and death, made an atonement for the whole world so that whosoever will may be saved.
7. We believe that repentance toward God, faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and regeneration by the Holy Spirit, are necessary to salvation.
8. We believe that we are justified by grace through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and that he that believeth hath the witness in himself.
9. We believe that continuance in a state of salvation depends upon continued obedient faith in Christ.
10. We believe that it is the privilege of all believers to be wholly sanctified, and that their whole spirit and soul and body may be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
11. We believe in the immortality of the soul, in the resurrection of the body, in the general judgment at the end of the world, in the eternal happiness of the righteous, and in the endless punishment of the wicked.
Donor confidence score
Transparency grade
C
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Community Development
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 117 of 1031 | 10 of 77 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 134 of 1033 | 8 of 77 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 17 of 1033 | 2 of 77 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 607 of 1031 | 48 of 77 |
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 8% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 3% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 5% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 2% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 79% | 77% | 83% | 79% | 71% | 74% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 6% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 2% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 21% | 23% | 17% | 21% | 29% | 26% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 80% | 97% | 97% | 96% | 96% | 95% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 89% | 86% | 106% | 95% | 87% | 99% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 69% | 84% | 102% | 92% | 83% | 95% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 11% | 14% | -6% | 5% | 13% | 1% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 13% | 7% | -2% | 2% | 5% | 0% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 12% | 2% | 2% | 3% | 3% | 2% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 0.80 | 0.40 | 0.41 | 0.33 | 0.32 | 0.40 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 2.13 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 1.69 | 0.40 | 0.41 | 0.33 | 0.32 | 0.40 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 11.30 | 17.67 | 18.66 | 37.55 | 56.74 | 101.58 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.08 | 0.06 | 0.05 | 0.03 | 0.02 | 0.01 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 6.25 | 28.51 | 27.88 | 35.77 | 36.96 | 29.46 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 10% | 6% | 5% | 3% | 2% | 1% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 2% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 102% | 238% | 232% | 298% | 308% | 246% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Cash | $1,741,923 | $3,352,070 | $878,464 | $2,844,731 | $991,168 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $3,051,475 | $3,083,214 | $2,558,590 | $3,615,314 | $2,494,147 |
| Short-term investments | $63,514,869 | $57,172,633 | $59,892,037 | $55,755,252 | $55,120,647 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $68,308,267 | $63,607,917 | $63,329,091 | $62,215,297 | $58,605,962 |
| Long-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Fixed assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term assets | $32,081 | $32,081 | $32,081 | $32,081 | $32,081 |
| Total long-term assets | $32,081 | $32,081 | $32,081 | $32,081 | $32,081 |
| Total assets | $68,340,348 | $63,639,998 | $63,361,172 | $62,247,378 | $58,638,043 |
| Liabilities | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $1,364,788 | $1,737,797 | $1,036,986 | $954,577 | $369,004 |
| Other current liabilities | $2,501,907 | $1,670,343 | $649,618 | $142,002 | $207,951 |
| Total current liabilities | $3,866,695 | $3,408,140 | $1,686,604 | $1,096,579 | $576,955 |
| Debt | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total liabilities | $3,866,695 | $3,408,140 | $1,686,604 | $1,096,579 | $576,955 |
| Net assets | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Without donor restrictions | $43,524,257 | $39,179,608 | $37,567,266 | $35,773,014 | $31,340,580 |
| With donor restrictions | $20,949,396 | $21,052,250 | $24,107,302 | $25,377,785 | $26,720,508 |
| Net assets | $64,473,653 | $60,231,858 | $61,674,568 | $61,150,799 | $58,061,088 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Total contributions | $24,019,920 | $20,266,865 | $17,071,190 | $16,295,664 | $17,690,530 |
| Program service revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $7,345,089 | $4,199,518 | $4,634,055 | $6,640,365 | $6,092,560 |
| Other revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total other revenue | $7,345,089 | $4,199,518 | $4,634,055 | $6,640,365 | $6,092,560 |
| Total revenue | $31,365,009 | $24,466,383 | $21,705,245 | $22,936,029 | $23,783,090 |
| Expenses | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Program services | $26,263,639 | $25,050,181 | $19,907,737 | $19,106,035 | $22,557,169 |
| Management and general | $542,452 | $571,024 | $521,755 | $511,785 | $589,448 |
| Fundraising | $317,123 | $287,888 | $251,984 | $228,498 | $494,118 |
| Total expenses | $27,123,214 | $25,909,093 | $20,681,476 | $19,846,318 | $23,640,735 |
| Change in net assets | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Surplus (deficit) | $4,241,795 | ($1,442,710) | $1,023,769 | $3,089,711 | $142,355 |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | ($500,000) | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | $4,241,795 | ($1,442,710) | $523,769 | $3,089,711 | $142,355 |
Compensation
Compensation data for this ministry has not been collected.
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 2/7/2022. To update the information below, please email: info@ministrywatch.com
History
Soon after beginning his ministerial career in England in 1852, William Booth abandoned the concept of the traditional church pulpit in favor of taking the gospel of Jesus Christ directly to the people. Walking the streets of London, he preached to the poor, the homeless, the hungry, and the destitute.
When fellow clergymen disagreed with Booth's unconventional approach, he and his wife Catherine withdrew from the church to train evangelists throughout England. The couple returned to the East End of London in 1865, where many followers joined their fight for the souls of lost men and women. Within 10 years, their organization, operating under the name The Christian Mission, had over 1,000 volunteers and evangelists.
Thieves, prostitutes, gamblers, and drunkards were among their first converts to Christianity. And soon, those converts were also preaching and singing in the streets as living testimonies to the power of God.
When Booth read a printer's proof of the 1878 Christian Mission annual report, he noticed the statement, "The Christian Mission is a volunteer army." Crossing out the words "volunteer army," he penned in "Salvation Army." From those words came the basis of the foundation deed of The Salvation Army.
From that point onward, converts became soldiers of Christ and were known then, as now, as Salvationists. They launched an offensive throughout the British Isles that, in spite of violence and persecution, converted 250,000 Christians between 1881 and 1885. Their message spread rapidly, gaining a foothold in America and soon after Canada, Australia, France, Switzerland, India, South Africa, Iceland, and Germany.
Today, The Salvation Army is active in virtually every corner of the world and serves in 131 countries, offering the message of God's healing and hope to all those in need.