Adventist Development & Relief Agency 
The information on this page was last updated 4/13/2025. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
We are the global humanitarian arm of the Seventh-day Adventist Church-part of the 20-million strong Adventist community, with hundreds of thousands of churches globally and the world's largest integrated healthcare and education network.
We deliver relief and development assistance to individuals in more than 118 countries-regardless of their ethnicity, political affiliation, gender, or religious association.
By partnering with local communities, organizations, and governments, we are able to deliver culturally relevant programs and build local capability for sustainable change.
Our work touches millions of lives in more than 118 countries around the world. Our on-the-ground approach allows immediate assistance in times of crisis and true partnership with the communities we serve.
Contact information
Mailing address:
Adventist Development & Relief Agency
12501 Old Columbia Pike
Silver Spring, MD 20904-6601
Website: adra.org
Phone: (800) 424-2372
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 521314847
CEO/President: Paulo Lopes
Chairman: Geoffrey G. Mbwana
Board size: 46
Founder: Seventh Day Adventist Church
Ruling year: 2000
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 12/31
Member of ECFA: No
Member of ECFA since:
Purpose
To serve humanity so all may live as God intended.
Mission statement
The Adventist Development and Relief Agency uses the following to express its Mission Statement:
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 | | 641 of 1118 | 54 of 100 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 295 of 1119 | 33 of 100 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 870 of 1119 | 70 of 100 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 637 of 1118 | 58 of 100 |
According to the organization's Form 990, it received $62,617,898 in government grants in 2023.
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 6% | 4% | 3% | 2% | 2% | 2% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 6% | 4% | 3% | 2% | 2% | 2% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 99% | 98% | 99% | 99% | 100% | 97% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 6% | 3% | 3% | 2% | 2% | 2% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 1% | 2% | 1% | 1% | 0% | 3% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 86% | 81% | 87% | 92% | 91% | 93% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 100% | 107% | 92% | 93% | 100% | 97% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 87% | 86% | 81% | 86% | 91% | 90% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 0% | -7% | 8% | 7% | 0% | 3% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 2% | -10% | 13% | 14% | -1% | 5% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 7% | 16% | 10% | 5% | 7% | 5% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 1.53 | 1.24 | 1.18 | 1.33 | 1.43 | 1.17 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 1.26 | 1.03 | 1.04 | 1.03 | 1.03 | 1.03 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 2.17 | 1.28 | 1.23 | 1.36 | 1.47 | 1.20 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 13.11 | 5.87 | 3.91 | 3.92 | 3.09 | 4.44 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.07 | 0.17 | 0.26 | 0.25 | 0.32 | 0.23 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 4.68 | 7.77 | 7.26 | 6.56 | 5.51 | 7.74 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 8% | 19% | 27% | 27% | 35% | 23% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 53% | 65% | 61% | 55% | 45% | 66% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Cash | $5,900,232 | $18,915,924 | $15,113,402 | $26,453,859 | $10,513,583 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $9,074,923 | $14,250,165 | $10,372,595 | $15,260,823 | $12,868,352 |
| Short-term investments | $65,351,798 | $57,775,137 | $65,523,693 | $40,652,021 | $46,467,739 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $80,326,953 | $90,941,226 | $91,009,690 | $82,366,703 | $69,849,674 |
| Long-term investments | $0 | $258,733 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Fixed assets | $261,458 | $354,270 | $369,339 | $463,413 | $544,716 |
| Other long-term assets | $2,281,142 | $3,023,247 | $2,177,666 | $1,753,981 | $1,545,064 |
| Total long-term assets | $2,542,600 | $3,636,250 | $2,547,005 | $2,217,394 | $2,089,780 |
| Total assets | $82,869,553 | $94,577,476 | $93,556,695 | $84,584,097 | $71,939,454 |
| Liabilities | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $13,681,664 | $23,229,608 | $23,197,916 | $26,659,653 | $15,736,457 |
| Other current liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current liabilities | $13,681,664 | $23,229,608 | $23,197,916 | $26,659,653 | $15,736,457 |
| Debt | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $1,801,512 | $2,648,035 | $1,752,024 | $3,276,086 | $1,066,407 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $1,801,512 | $2,648,035 | $1,752,024 | $3,276,086 | $1,066,407 |
| Total liabilities | $15,483,176 | $25,877,643 | $24,949,940 | $29,935,739 | $16,802,864 |
| Net assets | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Without donor restrictions | $44,998,959 | $42,530,440 | $46,417,568 | $35,875,582 | $35,091,171 |
| With donor restrictions | $22,387,418 | $26,169,393 | $22,189,187 | $18,772,776 | $20,045,419 |
| Net assets | $67,386,377 | $68,699,833 | $68,606,755 | $54,648,358 | $55,136,590 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Total contributions | $94,022,168 | $119,924,877 | $132,789,029 | $120,970,090 | $84,340,089 |
| Program service revenue | $187,859 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $1,899,482 | $858,422 | $572,442 | ($179,770) | $1,796,531 |
| Other revenue | $253,420 | $359,882 | $170,396 | $112,146 | $374,002 |
| Total other revenue | $2,340,761 | $1,218,304 | $742,838 | ($67,624) | $2,170,533 |
| Total revenue | $96,362,929 | $121,143,181 | $133,531,867 | $120,902,466 | $86,510,622 |
| Expenses | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Program services | $83,033,186 | $97,897,456 | $114,650,447 | $109,778,657 | $78,143,136 |
| Management and general | $16,395,111 | $10,996,539 | $6,588,989 | $8,702,368 | $4,071,701 |
| Fundraising | $3,553,060 | $3,097,621 | $2,875,717 | $2,783,372 | $1,657,564 |
| Total expenses | $102,981,357 | $111,991,616 | $124,115,153 | $121,264,397 | $83,872,401 |
| Change in net assets | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Surplus (deficit) | ($6,618,428) | $9,151,565 | $9,416,714 | ($361,931) | $2,638,221 |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | ($6,618,428) | $9,151,565 | $9,416,714 | ($361,931) | $2,638,221 |
Compensation
| Name | Title | Compensation |
| Josue Orellana Guevara | Dir. of Health, Nutrition, & Wash | $252,511 |
| Akintayo Odeyemi | Director For Un Relations | $200,982 |
| Fleur Henrisse Herinjanahary | Associate Dir. Program Finance Mgt | $200,213 |
| Alex Balint | Senior Dir. Corporate/Social Partnershi | $196,908 |
| Jair Parada-Cabezas | Senior Director For Finance | $194,832 |
| Korey Dowling | VP For People & Culture | $190,749 |
| Michael Kruger | Board Secretary/President | $180,148 |
| Matt Siliga | VP For Strategic Ops & Growth | $178,654 |
| Peter Landless | Board Member | $178,136 |
| Olivier Guth | Treasurer/Vp For Finance | $176,195 |
| Paul Douglas | Board Member/Fin. Committee Chair | $156,658 |
| Erton C Kohler | Board Member | $144,370 |
| Gary Krause | Board Member | $140,075 |
| Geoffrey Mbwana | Board Chair | $137,148 |
| Audrey Andersson | Board Member | $127,026 |
| Ted Wilson | Board Member | $124,009 |
Compensation data as of: 12/31/2023
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 4/13/2025. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) was established in November 1956 by the Seventh-day Adventist Church to provide humanitarian relief and welfare. Originally called Seventh-day Adventist Welfare Service or SAWS, the name was changed to Seventh-day Adventist World Service in 1973.
By 1958, SAWS reported relief shipments to 22 countries with a total value of about $485,000. Four years later, the number of countries had increased to 29, with a total value of $2.3 million in shipments. During this period, countries benefited included those in South America and the Middle East, sites of major disasters.
By the mid-1970s, the organization began to broaden its mission from disaster relief into programs leading to long-term development. In 1983 SAWS underwent yet another name change to better reflect its overall mission and activities, becoming the "Adventist Development and Relief Agency" (ADRA).
ADRA's work grew rapidly with major programs in several countries emphasizing community development, food distribution, institutional development, and ongoing disaster relief. From an initial worldwide staff of approximately 600, ADRA's activities soon included: building health clinics in Africa, assisting hurricane victims in Central America, teaching hygiene and health to children in Asia, and promoting awareness of worldwide humanitarian needs through ADRA's Global Village in the United States.
In 1997 the Agency was granted General Consultative Status by the United Nations, a unique opportunity giving ADRA added voice in the international community. In 1998 alone it assisted more than 18 million people with more than US$133 million in aid. More than 4,000 ADRA staff members currently work in more than 120 countries worldwide. As new challenges and needs arise, ADRA continues to strive to realize its mission of reflecting God's love through compassionate acts of humanitarian service.
Program accomplishments
HEALTH PROJECTS: In 2018, your generosity impacted 1,595,556 lives and supported more than 120 projects around the world.
EDUCATION PROJECTS: In 2018, your generosity impacted 1,114,582 lives and supported more than 190 education projects around the world.
LIVELIHOOD PROJECTS: In 2018, your generosity impacted 1,895,458 lives and supported more than 100 livelihoods projects around the world.
EMERGENCY RESPONSE: In 2018, your generosity impacted 4,472,465 lives and supported more than 225 emergency response and preparedness projects around the world.
Needs
Adventist Development & Relief Agency uses the following to express its ministry needs:
Giving has never been more rewarding. Following are three ways you can help:
Donate online-You can make a secure online donation to ADRA International by credit card. See the website for specific programs you can help.
Charitable Gifts-You may also contribute through charitable gift annuities. You can establish your Gift Annuity with a contribution in the form of cash, stocks, bonds or mutual funds.
ADRA'S Really Useful Gift Catalog-This Catalog provides you with everything you need to make a decision and choice about how you will positively impact lives around the world in partnership with ADRA International. Every single dollar is put to work for the people and projects that have motivated you to respond.