Samaritan's Purse 
The information on this page was last updated 8/4/2023. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
The story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37) gives a clear picture of God's desire for us to help those in desperate need wherever we find them. After describing how the Samaritan rescued a hurting man whom others had passed by, Jesus told His hearers, "Go and do likewise." For over 50 years, Samaritan's Purse has done our utmost to follow Christ's command by going to the aid of the world's poor, sick, and suffering. We are an effective means of reaching hurting people in countries around the world with food, medicine, and other assistance in the Name of Jesus Christ. This, in turn, earns us a hearing for the Gospel, the Good News of eternal life through Jesus Christ.
As our teams work in crisis areas of the world, people often ask, "Why did you come?" The answer is always the same: "We have come to help you in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ." Our ministry is all about Jesus-first, last, and always. As the Apostle Paul said, "For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake" (2 Corinthians 4:5, NIV).
Contact information
Mailing address:
Samaritan's Purse
PO Box 3000
Boone, NC 28607
Website: www.samaritanspurse.org
Phone: (828) 262-1980
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 581437002
CEO/President: Mr. W. Franklin Graham III
Chairman: Mr. W. Franklin Graham III
Board size: 18
Founder: Dr. Bob Pierce
Ruling year: 1981
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 12/31
Member of ECFA: Yes
Member of ECFA since: 1981
Purpose
Whether due to famine, conflict, persistent poverty, or natural disasters, people around the world are brought low by circumstances and catastrophes. Fallen along the wayside of life, these families and communities are in need of both physical assistance and the love of Christ. Recognizing these needs, Samaritan's Purse provides physical aid while sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ and ministering to the broken.
Mission statement
Samaritan's Purse is a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world. Since 1970, Samaritan's Purse has helped meet needs of people who are victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, disease, and famine with the purpose of sharing God's love through His Son, Jesus Christ. The organization serves the Church worldwide to promote the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Statement of faith
Samaritan's Purse uses the following to express its Statement of Faith:
- We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God revealing the love of God to the world. 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; John 3:16.
- We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19; John 10:30; Ephesians 4:4-6.
- We believe in the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood on the cross, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory. Matthew 1:23; John 1:1-4 and 1:29; Acts 1:11 and 2:22-24; Romans 8:34; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Philippians 2:5-11; Hebrews 1:1-4 and 4:15.
- We believe that all men everywhere are lost and face the judgment of God, that Jesus Christ is the only way of salvation, and that for the salvation of lost and sinful man, repentance of sin and faith in Jesus Christ results in regeneration by the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, we believe that God will reward the righteous with eternal life in heaven, and that He will banish the unrighteous to everlasting punishment in hell. Luke 24:46-47; John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 3:23; 2 Corinthians 5:10-11; Ephesians 1:7 and 2:8-9; Titus 3:4-7.
- We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit, whose indwelling enables the Christian to live a godly life. John 3:5-8; Acts 1:8 and 4:31; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 2:14; Galatians 5:16-18; Ephesians 6:12; Colossians 2:6-10.
- We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; the saved unto the resurrection of eternal life and the lost unto the resurrection of damnation and eternal punishment. 1 Corinthians 15:51-57; Revelation 20:11-15.
- We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ and that all true believers are members of His body, the Church. 1 Corinthians 12:12, 27; Ephesians 1:22-23.
- We believe that the ministry of evangelism (sharing and proclaiming the message of salvation only possible by grace through faith in Jesus Christ) and discipleship (helping followers of Christ grow up into maturity in Christ) is a responsibility of all followers of Jesus Christ. Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; Romans 10:9-15; 1 Peter 3:15.
- We believe God's plan for human sexuality is to be expressed only within the context of marriage, that God created man and woman as unique biological persons made to complete each other. God instituted monogamous marriage between male and female as the foundation of the family and the basic structure of human society. For this reason, we believe that marriage is exclusively the union of one genetic male and one genetic female. Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:5-6; Mark 10:6-9; Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9.
- We believe that we must dedicate ourselves to prayer, to the service of our Lord, to His authority over our lives, and to the ministry of evangelism. Matthew 9:35-38; 22:37-39, and 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; Romans 10:9-15 and 12:20-21; Galatians 6:10; Colossians 2:6-10; 1 Peter 3:15.
- We believe that human life is sacred from conception to its natural end; and that we must have concern for the physical and spiritual needs of our fellowmen. Psalm 139:13; Isaiah 49:1; Jeremiah 1:5; Matthew 22:37-39; Romans 12:20-21; Galatians 6:10.
Donor confidence score
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 | | 697 of 1115 | 58 of 92 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 438 of 1116 | 41 of 92 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 562 of 1116 | 47 of 92 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 892 of 1115 | 71 of 92 |
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 6% | 5% | 6% | 6% | 8% | 7% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 6% | 5% | 6% | 6% | 8% | 7% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 99% | 98% | 99% | 98% | 98% | 98% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 6% | 7% | 8% | 8% | 8% | 7% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 1% | 2% | 1% | 2% | 2% | 2% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 86% | 86% | 84% | 85% | 86% | 88% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 98% | 75% | 70% | 75% | 94% | 96% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 83% | 64% | 59% | 64% | 81% | 84% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 2% | 25% | 30% | 25% | 6% | 4% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 4% | 22% | 25% | 24% | 6% | 4% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 7% | 7% | 8% | 7% | 6% | 5% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 1.46 | 0.60 | 0.54 | 0.67 | 0.90 | 0.95 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 1.22 | 1.21 | 1.26 | 1.32 | 1.36 | 1.31 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 1.85 | 0.73 | 0.68 | 0.89 | 1.22 | 1.25 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 17.06 | 20.07 | 20.11 | 17.95 | 14.20 | 16.90 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.06 | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.06 | 0.07 | 0.06 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 6.10 | 15.65 | 16.79 | 12.72 | 9.15 | 9.06 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 8% | 6% | 6% | 7% | 8% | 8% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 62% | 156% | 173% | 138% | 102% | 97% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Cash | $762,323,158 | $570,191,197 | $435,860,091 | $248,776,849 | $218,823,053 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $89,918,109 | $83,561,404 | $64,023,614 | $64,459,410 | $80,780,913 |
| Short-term investments | $495,179,606 | $386,255,700 | $252,356,478 | $252,339,504 | $239,541,248 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $1,347,420,873 | $1,040,008,301 | $752,240,183 | $565,575,763 | $539,145,214 |
| Long-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Fixed assets | $280,875,203 | $260,074,699 | $236,802,147 | $193,311,089 | $162,405,195 |
| Other long-term assets | $6,903,379 | $6,467,863 | $4,961,875 | $7,757,324 | $6,752,169 |
| Total long-term assets | $287,778,582 | $266,542,562 | $241,764,022 | $201,068,413 | $169,157,364 |
| Total assets | $1,635,199,455 | $1,306,550,863 | $994,004,205 | $766,644,176 | $708,302,578 |
| Liabilities | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $67,123,421 | $51,722,504 | $41,914,799 | $39,841,643 | $31,897,957 |
| Other current liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current liabilities | $67,123,421 | $51,722,504 | $41,914,799 | $39,841,643 | $31,897,957 |
| Debt | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $38,665,415 | $32,227,449 | $28,370,417 | $24,845,708 | $26,708,446 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $38,665,415 | $32,227,449 | $28,370,417 | $24,845,708 | $26,708,446 |
| Total liabilities | $105,788,836 | $83,949,953 | $70,285,216 | $64,687,351 | $58,606,403 |
| Net assets | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Without donor restrictions | $997,741,402 | $832,369,904 | $639,962,307 | $458,674,126 | $388,051,760 |
| With donor restrictions | $531,669,217 | $390,231,006 | $283,756,682 | $243,282,699 | $261,644,415 |
| Net assets | $1,529,410,619 | $1,222,600,910 | $923,718,989 | $701,956,825 | $649,696,175 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Total contributions | $1,292,757,468 | $995,829,881 | $875,161,969 | $720,326,030 | $688,260,668 |
| Program service revenue | $3,348,976 | $2,631,850 | $3,008,866 | $2,618,850 | $1,909,768 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $12,932,264 | $8,751,416 | $15,456,803 | $10,099,919 | $8,338,002 |
| Other revenue | $3,407,093 | $348,756 | $681,255 | $1,068,074 | $1,245,281 |
| Total other revenue | $19,688,333 | $11,732,022 | $19,146,924 | $13,786,843 | $11,493,051 |
| Total revenue | $1,312,445,801 | $1,007,561,903 | $894,308,893 | $734,112,873 | $699,753,719 |
| Expenses | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Program services | $840,296,345 | $592,903,518 | $569,762,127 | $593,386,578 | $588,175,829 |
| Management and general | $72,372,293 | $54,255,045 | $46,461,568 | $40,629,327 | $33,840,728 |
| Fundraising | $68,816,743 | $59,195,754 | $53,746,099 | $55,111,464 | $50,156,042 |
| Total expenses | $981,485,381 | $706,354,317 | $669,969,794 | $689,127,369 | $672,172,599 |
| Change in net assets | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Surplus (deficit) | $330,960,420 | $301,207,586 | $224,339,099 | $44,985,504 | $27,581,120 |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | $330,960,420 | $301,207,586 | $224,339,099 | $44,985,504 | $27,581,120 |
Compensation
| Name | Title | Compensation |
| William Franklin Graham III | Bd Mem/Chr/P | $832,738 |
| Christopher Weeks | Chairmanaffi | $409,729 |
| Kenneth Isaacs | VP-Prog/Govt | $389,240 |
| James Harrelson | VP-Op Christ | $385,553 |
| Ronald Wilcox | COO | $369,328 |
| William Maupin | VP-Info Tech | $365,245 |
| Brian Gresham | Direcoccaffi | $363,929 |
| Merrill Littlejohn | VP-Finance/C | $356,338 |
| Meredith Collie | Direcfinaffi | $354,189 |
| Paula Woodring | Bd Mem/Execu | $352,334 |
| Luther Harrison | VP-Northamer | $325,725 |
| Phyllis Payne | Bd Mem/Astse | $298,588 |
| Donna Pierce | Secretary/VP | $259,507 |
| Jane Austin Lynch | Bd Mem/Spoke | $185,981 |
| Louis Heitzig | Board Member | $15,000 |
| James Oliver | Board Member | $10,000 |
Compensation data as of: 12/31/2022
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 8/4/2023. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
"Let my heart be broken with the things that break the heart of God." Bob Pierce wrote these now-famous words in his Bible after visiting suffering children on the Korean island of Koje-do. This impassioned prayer is what guided him as he founded and led the ministry of Samaritan's Purse in 1970. His mission for this organization was "to meet emergency needs in crisis areas through existing evangelical mission agencies and national churches."
After World War II, Bob Pierce traveled throughout Asia as an evangelist and journalist with Youth For Christ. While on a university lecturing circuit in China, he stumbled across some courageous women who were living among lepers and orphans, sacrificing everything to share the love of Jesus Christ. Through their selfless love, God gave Pierce a vision for ministry. He dedicated himself to finding and supporting other such Christians who were caring for the poor and suffering in the distant corners of the world.
In the summer of 1973, Bob Pierce met his eventual successor, an adventurous young student named Franklin Graham with a growing heart for world missions. Intrigued by his many stories from the field, Franklin began to spend more and more time with the seasoned Christian statesman. In 1975, he accompanied Bob on a life-changing tour of some of the world's neediest mission fields. Franklin saw the poverty of pagan religions and the utter despair of the people they enslave. God had captured his heart for missions.
Bob Pierce died of leukemia in 1978, and a little over a year later, Franklin Graham became the President and Chairman of the Board of Samaritan's Purse. Through over 40 years of earthquakes, hurricanes, wars, and famine, Franklin has led the ministry in following the Biblical example of the Good Samaritan all across the globe. God has blessed the organization under Franklin's leadership, and the ministry has seen explosive growth.
"Go and do likewise," Christ commanded after explaining the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10. So we do. Samaritan's Purse travels the world's highways looking for victims along the way. We are quick to bandage the wounds we see, but like the Samaritan, we don't stop there. In addition to meeting immediate, emergency needs, we help these victims recover and get back on their feet.
No matter where we go or what we do, we offer more than help. We offer hope. To suffering people in a broken world, we share the news of the only One who can bring true peace-Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace.
Program accomplishments
More than 168 million children have found love and the hope of the Gospel in shoebox gifts distributed through Operation Christmas Child. To date, nearly 19 million children have participated in The Greatest Journey discipleship program that accompanies shoebox distributions.
Since 1998, U.S. Disaster Relief has helped more than 43,000 families through disaster responses in 37 states.
Globally, Samaritan's Purse has responded to crises in dozens of countries by bringing emergency relief in Jesus' Name. In 2019, we treated Ebola patients in the Democratic Republic of Congo near the epicenter of the second largest Ebola outbreak in history; airlifted relief supplies and an emergency field hospital to provide aid to cyclone survivors in Mozambique; and provided care in Colombia for Venezuelan migrants escaping severe food shortages, a broken economy, and a collapsing healthcare system.
Across the world, Samaritan's Purse has impacted impoverished communities and vulnerable people groups through a variety of development projects including: Animals, Agriculture, and Livelihoods; Children's Ministries; Construction Projects; Discipleship, Education, and Training; Feeding Programs; Health and Medical Ministries; Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Projects; and Women's Programs.
Samaritan's Purse will continue to bring physical and spiritual aid to hurting people around the world in Jesus' Name-as we've done since our inception in 1970. With dependable capabilities like the DC-8 and innovative strategies such as the emergency field hospital, we will expand our positioning on the frontlines of humanitarian disasters.
Needs
Prayer is one of the most powerful and important ways you can help. Without the prayers of friends and faithful supporters, our work among suffering people around the world would not be possible. As you pray, remember that our Heavenly Father "is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us" (Ephesians 3:20, ESV).
Constant Prayer Needs:
Pray for our relief teams as we respond year-round to disasters in both the U.S. and abroad, that we arrive quickly and are able to minister to the physical and spiritual needs of survivors with grace and compassion.
Pray for Operation Christmas Child and The Greatest Journey, that God will continue to use these projects to reach and disciple millions of children in more than 100 countries.