Heifer Project International 
The information on this page was last updated 4/4/2025. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
Ending poverty begins with agriculture. We're on a mission to end hunger and poverty in a sustainable way by supporting and investing alongside local farmers and their communities.
Contact information
Mailing address:
Heifer International
1 World Ave
Little Rock, AR 72202
Website: heifer.org
Phone: 855-948-6437
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 351019477
CEO/President: Surita Sandosham
Chairman: Elizabeth Bawden
Board size: 17
Founder: Mr. Dan West
Ruling year: 1999
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 06/30
Member of ECFA: No
Member of ECFA since:
Purpose
Our community development model focuses on building social capital by increasing income and assets within farming families, improving their food security and nutrition, and protecting the environment - with women's empowerment and connected communities at the very center.
Mission statement
We work to end hunger and poverty in partnership with the communities we serve. Our programs support entrepreneurs around the world, creating lasting change from the ground up.
It begins with a seed investment of livestock or agriculture, followed by mentorship to help project participants build a business, and ultimately to gain access to supply chains and markets.
These families are able to earn a living income and continuously lift up their communities as they train the next generation of leaders.
By supporting and training the world's farmers, ranchers, and female business owners, we're investing in a new breed of success.
Statement of faith
Donor confidence score
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 | | 1116 of 1117 | 100 of 100 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 1104 of 1118 | 100 of 100 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 1059 of 1118 | 96 of 100 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 1085 of 1117 | 100 of 100 |
According to the organization's Form 990, it received $2,319,370 in government grants in 2024.
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 6% | 26% | 26% | 23% | 28% | 21% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 6% | 25% | 26% | 23% | 27% | 21% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 99% | 98% | 98% | 99% | 99% | 99% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 6% | 24% | 24% | 22% | 30% | 21% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 1% | 2% | 2% | 1% | 1% | 1% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 86% | 71% | 71% | 73% | 65% | 74% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 100% | 107% | 109% | 103% | 91% | 100% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 87% | 75% | 78% | 76% | 59% | 73% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 0% | -7% | -9% | -3% | 9% | 0% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 2% | -4% | -5% | -2% | 5% | 0% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 7% | 5% | 5% | 5% | 5% | 6% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 1.53 | 0.53 | 0.57 | 0.56 | 0.39 | 0.50 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 1.26 | 5.25 | 5.03 | 4.03 | 3.68 | 3.92 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 2.17 | 2.77 | 2.86 | 2.25 | 1.43 | 1.98 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 13.11 | 2.18 | 3.04 | 2.86 | 2.79 | 2.70 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.07 | 0.46 | 0.33 | 0.35 | 0.36 | 0.37 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 4.68 | 2.34 | 2.82 | 3.47 | 5.38 | 3.83 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 8% | 11% | 8% | 10% | 13% | 14% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 2% | 3% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 53% | 168% | 161% | 162% | 225% | 172% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Cash | $42,368,859 | $43,554,752 | $60,014,477 | $74,815,541 | $47,265,762 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $14,890,593 | $13,413,656 | $14,310,898 | $14,309,188 | $15,321,094 |
| Short-term investments | $242,610 | $227,026 | $222,253 | $271,958 | $230,929 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $57,502,062 | $57,195,434 | $74,547,628 | $89,396,687 | $62,817,785 |
| Long-term investments | $3,547,412 | $2,314,955 | $2,549,711 | $1,910,653 | $1,486,788 |
| Fixed assets | $42,575,814 | $41,767,979 | $40,069,547 | $40,556,172 | $43,077,827 |
| Other long-term assets | $198,475,902 | $186,470,212 | $183,059,147 | $197,029,344 | $139,041,713 |
| Total long-term assets | $244,599,128 | $230,553,146 | $225,678,405 | $239,496,169 | $183,606,328 |
| Total assets | $302,101,190 | $287,748,580 | $300,226,033 | $328,892,856 | $246,424,113 |
| Liabilities | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $14,676,188 | $12,453,361 | $14,023,470 | $13,559,157 | $11,637,583 |
| Other current liabilities | $11,745,869 | $6,335,750 | $12,020,871 | $18,533,605 | $11,590,699 |
| Total current liabilities | $26,422,057 | $18,789,111 | $26,044,341 | $32,092,762 | $23,228,282 |
| Debt | $0 | $0 | $0 | $7,002,100 | $8,111,843 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $7,429,458 | $5,452,230 | $2,685,067 | $2,582,628 | $2,059,996 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $7,429,458 | $5,452,230 | $2,685,067 | $9,584,728 | $10,171,839 |
| Total liabilities | $33,851,515 | $24,241,341 | $28,729,408 | $41,677,490 | $33,400,121 |
| Net assets | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Without donor restrictions | $66,612,751 | $70,912,424 | $78,912,809 | $78,462,759 | $61,997,009 |
| With donor restrictions | $201,636,924 | $192,594,815 | $192,583,816 | $208,752,607 | $151,026,983 |
| Net assets | $268,249,675 | $263,507,239 | $271,496,625 | $287,215,366 | $213,023,992 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Total contributions | $146,775,776 | $146,987,700 | $160,384,966 | $139,540,339 | $123,181,218 |
| Program service revenue | $765,858 | $843,152 | $934,749 | $621,209 | $701,313 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $1,589,671 | $1,161,898 | $406,315 | $377,607 | $326,782 |
| Other revenue | $557,840 | $632,548 | $532,592 | $398,832 | $427,205 |
| Total other revenue | $2,913,369 | $2,637,598 | $1,873,656 | $1,397,648 | $1,455,300 |
| Total revenue | $149,689,145 | $149,625,298 | $162,258,622 | $140,937,987 | $124,636,518 |
| Expenses | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Program services | $113,011,095 | $116,155,356 | $122,788,241 | $83,003,268 | $91,327,219 |
| Management and general | $8,379,652 | $8,566,586 | $7,596,404 | $6,238,192 | $7,094,862 |
| Fundraising | $38,096,239 | $38,765,495 | $37,212,050 | $38,569,797 | $25,670,286 |
| Total expenses | $159,486,986 | $163,487,437 | $167,596,695 | $127,811,257 | $124,092,367 |
| Change in net assets | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Surplus (deficit) | ($9,797,841) | ($13,862,139) | ($5,338,073) | $13,126,730 | $544,151 |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | ($9,797,841) | ($13,862,139) | ($5,338,073) | $13,126,730 | $544,151 |
Compensation
| Name | Title | Compensation |
| Surita Sandosham | President & Chief Executive Officer | $490,216 |
| Terry Wyer | Senior Vice President of Investment Programs | $305,573 |
| Hilary Haddigan | Chief of Mission Effectiveness | $267,897 |
| Elia Makar | Chief People Officer | $261,024 |
| Marcia Rasmussen | Chief Financial Officer | $255,062 |
| Mahendra Lohani | Frmr Snr Vice President of Programs | $254,173 |
| Oscar Castaneda Samayoa | Senior VP For the Americas | $251,425 |
| Patrick Bryski | Senior VP of Business Development and | $238,972 |
| Christy Moore | Senior VP Marketing & Philanthropy | $237,858 |
| Michelle Cangelosi | VP of Transformational Philanthropy | $229,237 |
| Peter Goldstein | Vice President of Communications | $225,501 |
| Matthew Krause | Managing Dir, Institutional Partnerships | $211,279 |
| Chad Avery | General Counsel | $210,154 |
| Hervil Cherubin | Senior Country Director | $207,448 |
| Mutale Chilangwa | Snr Director, Usaid Business Development | $206,414 |
| Michelle Dusek Izaguirre | VP of Resource Development Ops | $200,354 |
| Benjamin Wood | Managing Dir, Monitoring, Evaluation , Researc | $198,361 |
| Kimberly Ahlgrim | VP of Risk Management & Assurance | $195,937 |
| Stephanie Chesher | Snr Director of Donor & Community Marketing E | $192,055 |
| Michael Heald | Vice President of Investment Programs | $190,247 |
| Kimberly Hayes-Perrow | Senior Director of Direct Marketing | $185,225 |
| Melanie Auger | Senior Director of Philanthropy | $183,117 |
| Marleen New | VP of Global Partnerships | $182,932 |
| Francine Hill | VP of Global Finance Ops & Compliance | $181,724 |
| Vesselin Natchev | Global Solutions, Heifer Labs | $179,077 |
| Noel Mace | Senior Director Africa Programs-Ops | $171,345 |
| Dilip Bhandari | Snr Director of Programs-Livestock Technology | $168,635 |
| Jacqueline Finch | Senior Director of Philanthropy & Foundation Rel | $168,052 |
| Jaime Schilling | Director of Philanthropy | $166,285 |
| Devona Bell | Dir of Programs & Business Development - Asia | $164,877 |
| David Siewert | Director of Philanthropy | $164,375 |
| Mimi Evans | Director of Philanthropy - New York | $162,690 |
| Shelly Sutherland | Snr Director of Enterprise Accounting and Deput | $160,825 |
| Meredith Rolf | Snr Director of Strategy and Transformation | $153,790 |
| Tracy Beene | Assistant Secretary | $103,528 |
| Bryan Borland | Assistant Secretary | $88,156 |
Compensation data as of: 6/30/2024
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 4/4/2025. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
For more than 75 years, Heifer International has worked with people all around the world to end hunger and poverty and care for the Earth.
In 1944, Dan West began outlining a simple but groundbreaking plan to tackle hunger around the world. West, a farmer from the Midwest and Church of the Brethren member, had recently returned from feeding weary refugees during volunteer service in the Spanish Civil War.
He'd seen firsthand that giving people food was a short-term solution, whereas providing them with animals offered a steady supply of nutritious food for an entire family.
His philosophy still inspires Heifer's work today. Partnering with farmers across a range of different livestock and crops, we create unique solutions to local challenges. Together, we build inclusive, resilient economies, so communities can develop effective ways to end global hunger and poverty in a sustainable way.
These days, Heifer International generally provides animals to participating families through local channels in the countries we serve. But early on, the organization shipped livestock from the United States to other countries. During their travels, these animals were cared for by "seagoing cowboys": ranchers and farmers who aided Heifer in its mission by lending their expertise in animal husbandry and agriculture.
In the years following World War II, more than 7,000 men and women accompanied shipments of cattle, pigs, goats and other livestock across land, sea and air to deliver them to families in Europe. For many of them, these trips presented a series of firsts - the first time setting sail on a ship, the first time crossing the ocean and the first time visiting another culture. For many of these seagoing cowboys, their faith was tested as they witnessed the devastation of the war, but came away with a renewed sense of hope and purpose after helping families in need.
Heifer International was born from that simple idea of empowerment, and for 75 years the organization has worked tirelessly to give families a hand up, rather than just a handout.
Program accomplishments
We work in 21 countries around the world to strengthen local economies and build secure livelihoods that guarantee a living income to local farmers.