Shelter For Life International Inc. 
The information on this page was last updated 4/25/2024. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
Shelter For Life International (SFL) is an international faith-based relief and development organization with over 30 years of experience in providing sustainable development and humanitarian assistance to post-conflict countries around the world.
We believe that sustainable communities are built through the shared involvement of local people who are empowered to be an integral part of the rebuilding process. With this grassroots approach, SFL enables people devastated by conflict and disaster to become part of the solution.
We strive to be socially and environmentally sustainable by employing cultural sensitivity, community participation, appropriate alternative technologies, and cost-effective methodologies to our programs, which are underpinned by human-centered design. Our results go beyond new shelters, roads and water systems. SFL's comprehensive approach rebuilds communities, offers hope, restores dignity, develops local capacity and creates environments in which communities can thrive.
Contact information
Mailing address:
Shelter For Life International Inc.
10201 Wayzata Blvd
Suite 230
Minnetonka, MN 55305
Website: www.shelter.org
Phone: (763) 253-4082
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 391657081
CEO/President: Mustafa Omar
Chairman: Brint Patrick
Board size: 6
Founder: Thor and Debi Armstrong
Ruling year: 1994
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 09/30
Member of ECFA: No
Member of ECFA since:
Purpose
To be one of the leading international Christian humanitarian aid organizations, providing disaster relief with long-term development and sustainability.
We address disaster relief and the long-term development needs of the communities we serve, by tailoring and implementing a range of contextually sensitive programs:
Shelter and infrastructure restoration and building
Livelihood and economic development
Education, training and awareness campaigns
Capacity building, self-sufficiency and sustainability
Food security, agriculture and natural resource management
Risk mitigation from geological and weather phenomena
Irrigation systems and access to water
Health, hygiene and sanitation
Mission statement
Demonstrating God's love by enabling people affected by conflict and disaster to restore their lives and rebuild their communities.
Statement of faith
Donor confidence score
Transparency grade
D
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Relief and Development
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 405 of 1118 | 31 of 93 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 259 of 1119 | 24 of 93 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 322 of 1119 | 20 of 93 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 832 of 1118 | 66 of 93 |
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2019 | 2018 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 7% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 6% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 99% | 46% | 68% | 77% | 72% | 78% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 6% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 1% | 54% | 32% | 23% | 28% | 22% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2019 | 2018 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 86% | 92% | 90% | 87% | 86% | 87% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 99% | 98% | 90% | 96% | 99% | 98% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 86% | 90% | 80% | 84% | 86% | 86% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 1% | 2% | 10% | 4% | 1% | 2% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 3% | 6% | 50% | 23% | 4% | 11% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 6% | 8% | 10% | 13% | 14% | 13% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2019 | 2018 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 1.42 | 0.59 | 0.92 | 0.59 | 1.09 | 0.63 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 1.24 | 1.01 | 1.00 | 1.01 | 1.01 | 1.00 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 1.89 | 0.59 | 0.93 | 0.60 | 1.10 | 0.63 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2019 | 2018 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 15.83 | 1.22 | 1.27 | 1.11 | 1.18 | 1.11 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.06 | 0.82 | 0.79 | 0.90 | 0.84 | 0.90 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 6.10 | 3.69 | 2.74 | 1.94 | 1.69 | 1.84 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2019 | 2018 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 8% | 82% | 78% | 90% | 84% | 90% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 62% | 31% | 23% | 17% | 15% | 16% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Cash | $9,974,429 | $8,333,866 | $9,762,066 | $3,729,365 | $6,363,140 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $2,039,164 | $1,377,549 | $493,664 | $545,053 | $390,043 |
| Short-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $12,013,593 | $9,711,415 | $10,255,730 | $4,274,418 | $6,753,183 |
| Long-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Fixed assets | $22,612 | $35,078 | $50,409 | $29,000 | $19,396 |
| Other long-term assets | $42,799 | $8,075 | $8,075 | $8,075 | $8,075 |
| Total long-term assets | $65,411 | $43,153 | $58,484 | $37,075 | $27,471 |
| Total assets | $12,079,004 | $9,754,568 | $10,314,214 | $4,311,493 | $6,780,654 |
| Liabilities | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $493,968 | $415,756 | $510,393 | $286,451 | $318,147 |
| Other current liabilities | $9,327,514 | $7,240,936 | $8,755,148 | $3,322,538 | $5,785,174 |
| Total current liabilities | $9,821,482 | $7,656,692 | $9,265,541 | $3,608,989 | $6,103,321 |
| Debt | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $35,017 | $0 | $689 | $85 | $85 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $35,017 | $0 | $689 | $85 | $85 |
| Total liabilities | $9,856,499 | $7,656,692 | $9,266,230 | $3,609,074 | $6,103,406 |
| Net assets | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Without donor restrictions | $2,222,505 | $2,031,264 | $981,372 | $647,803 | $654,570 |
| With donor restrictions | $0 | $66,612 | $66,612 | $54,616 | $22,678 |
| Net assets | $2,222,505 | $2,097,876 | $1,047,984 | $702,419 | $677,248 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Total contributions | $3,343,720 | $6,827,797 | $4,906,151 | $3,405,845 | $3,363,542 |
| Program service revenue | $3,825,745 | $3,224,593 | $1,421,353 | $1,337,858 | $953,885 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $8,757 | $169 | $116 | $725 | $829 |
| Other revenue | $76,318 | $3,600 | $26,472 | $1,456 | $0 |
| Total other revenue | $3,910,820 | $3,228,362 | $1,447,941 | $1,340,039 | $954,714 |
| Total revenue | $7,254,540 | $10,056,159 | $6,354,092 | $4,745,884 | $4,318,256 |
| Expenses | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Program services | $6,529,736 | $8,070,944 | $5,326,221 | $4,070,267 | $3,696,430 |
| Management and general | $593,749 | $935,116 | $781,466 | $647,841 | $545,690 |
| Fundraising | $6,426 | $207 | $1,564 | $2,605 | $879 |
| Total expenses | $7,129,911 | $9,006,267 | $6,109,251 | $4,720,713 | $4,242,999 |
| Change in net assets | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Surplus (deficit) | $124,629 | $1,049,892 | $244,841 | $25,171 | $75,257 |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | $124,629 | $1,049,892 | $244,841 | $25,171 | $75,257 |
Compensation
| Name | Title | Compensation |
| Mustafa Omar | CEO | $202,686 |
| Jamolidin Vohidov | Director of International | $151,534 |
Compensation data as of: 9/30/2023
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 4/25/2024. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
1982
Our work was initially sparked when the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in 1979 and millions of Afghans began to pour into Pakistan as refugees. Already at work in Asia, Thor and Debi Armstrong recognized that God was calling them to respond to the tremendous human needs of the Afghan people. They moved to Pakistan with a dedicated team of people in 1982. Their first pilot project began with funding from the UNHCR to build geodesic domes for Afghan refugees.
1984
Shelter Now International (SNI) was officially registered with the Government of Pakistan and Perth, Australia as a non-profit organization. This time saw a great blessing on the ministry, with many new people joining in on the work. As the team ministered to the needs of the Afghan people, SNI developed into a reputable relief and development organization. Over the years, SNI was able to build 1,800 multi-purpose geodesic domes for thousands of refugees, widows, and the disabled. Later, SNI established factories in Pakistan and Afghanistan to produce concrete roof beams and other housing components to be used by families to help rebuild their homes and communities. By 1990, the work prospered and eventually reached a million dollars in annual project expenditures.
1991
SNI was registered as a 501(c) 3 organization with its international headquarters based in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Soon after, the Gulf War sent millions of Kurds fleeing from their homes, granting SNI the opportunity to respond to the needs of the Iraqi people and launching the organization as an international NGO.
2002
SNI changed its name to Shelter For Life International in part to reflect its commitment to community development and holistic programs. The purpose of the work, however, remains the same: to go wherever God calls us "...to provide the poor wanderer with shelter" (Isaiah 58:7 NIV), loving our neighbors as ourselves. SFL also boosted its presence in Afghanistan with funding from WFP.
2006
SFL moved its headquarters to Minneapolis, MN to reflect and facilitate the international focus of the organization. Soon afterward, we began work in what is now South Sudan.
2012
In 2012 we re-established an office in Tajikistan and received funding to begin work in Senegal and Liberia.
2018
Over the years, SFL has served in many countries, including Afghanistan, Angola, Burundi, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kosovo, Macedonia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, and Western Sahara, primarily in the areas of shelter, construction, and community development. Today, our team continues to work on numerous projects across the world funded by United States Agency for International Development (USAID), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), World Food Program (WFP) and the U.S. Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (BPRM).
Program accomplishments
30 years - Of providing sustainable development solutions for internally displaced persons, refugees, ecological migrants, and disaster victims.
80% of funds - Go directly to our projects, including population movement and settlement, public infrastructure reconstruction, and social & economic development projects.
100+ projects - Assisting people around the world to restore their lives, and rebuild their communities.