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Lutheran World Relief Inc

EIN 13-2574963 · Baltimore, MD

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

AFFIRMING GOD'S LOVE FOR ALL PEOPLE, WE WORK WITH LUTHERANS AND PARTNERS AROUND THE WORLD TO END POVERTY, INJUSTICE AND HUMAN SUFFERING. LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF, INC. IS A SUBSIDIARY OF CORUS INTERNATIONAL. AS SUCH THIS 990 SHOULD BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH THAT OF THE PARENT ENTITY.

Income
$71.7 million
Spending
$49.7 million
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
21.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 81%
Employees
0
Volunteers
15
Highest pay
$602,578, president & ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (international, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 21.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 35% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 31% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (international, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (4)
  1. $27.0 million spent. EMERGENCIES AND MATERIAL RESOURCES: LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF RESPONDS TO NATURAL DISASTERS AND CONFLICT-DRIVEN EMERGENCIES, ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT AFFECT THE WORLD'S POOREST COMMUNITIES AND WORK WITH VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES TO HELP THEM REBUILD AFTER DISASTER STRIKES AND PREPARE FOR FUTURE DISASTERS.DURING THE YEAR, WE ENGAGED IN EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND THE DISTRIBUTION OF MISSION QUILTS, SCHOOL SUPPLY KITS AND BABY CARE KITS. (EXPENSES $ 478,201 INCLUDING GRANTS OF $ 26,346)(REVENUE $ 0) HELPING PEOPLE IN POOR, RURAL COMMUNITIES ACHIEVE ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE THROUGH A DEVELOPMENTAL APPROACH FOCUSED ON ECONOMIES BUILT UPON THE CONSUMPTION AND CULTIVATION OF SUSTAINABLE GOODS AND SERVICES.
  2. $8.7 million spent. FOOD SECURITY/AGRICULTURE: LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF WORKS WITH POOR, RURAL COMMUNITIES AROUND THE WORLD TO HELP FARMERS IMPROVE THEIR CROPS, LEARN NEW TECHNIQUES AND TOOLS TO INCREASE THEIR YIELD AND ATTRACT BUYERS WHO WILL PAY MORE FOR THEIR PRODUCTS, HELP RURAL COMMUNITIES DEVELOP PRODUCTIVE, RESILIENT AND STABLE ECONOMIES THROUGH AN ENTERPRISE-BASED APPROACH THAT ENGAGES THE PRIVATE SECTOR AT MULTIPLE LEVELS TO CREATE PROFITABLE PARTNERSHIPS THAT BENEFIT FAMILIES AND PROMOTE RURAL LIVELIHOODS. LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF ALSO HELPS COMMUNITIES PROTECT THEIR AGRICULTURAL ASSETS IN THE FACE OF CHALLENGING CLIMATE CONDITIONS AND IMPROVE THEIR RESILIENCE TO NATURAL HAZARDS LIKE FLOODS AND DROUGHTS. WE INTRODUCED ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE FARMING PRACTICES SO THAT COMMUNITIES GET THE MOST OUT OF THEIR LAND WHILE CONSERVING AND RESTORING THEIR NATURAL RESOURCES. WE ALSO WORKED WITH LOCAL AND NATIONAL GOVERNMENTS TO FACILITATE THE PROTECTION OF NATURAL RESOURCES, HELPING COMMUNITIES ASSESS THEIR VULNERABILITIES TO NATURAL HAZARDS AND DEVELOP THE PLANS AND SKILLS THEY NEED TO PREPARE FOR THEM.
  3. $2.4 million spent. GROUND UP INVESTING, INCLUDING MOUNTAIN HARVEST AND FARMERS MARKET BRANDS: LWR MAKES IMPACT INVESTMENTS THROUGH GROUND UP INVESTING (GUI). GUI FUNDS HIGH-IMPACT ENTERPRISES THAT DELIVER SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS FOR LOCAL COMMUNITIES THROUGH BOTH DEBT AND EQUITY FUNDING. GUI INVESTS IN COMPANIES OPERATING ACROSS RURAL MARKETS FROM AGRICULTURAL SOURCING TO PRODUCTION AND TRADING TO DIRECT-TO-CONSUMER PRODUCT COMPANIES AND TECH-ENABLED SERVICES PROVIDERS. (EXPENSES $ 478,201 INCLUDING GRANTS OF $ 26,346)(REVENUE $ 0) HELPING PEOPLE IN POOR, RURAL COMMUNITIES ACHIEVE ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE THROUGH A DEVELOPMENTAL APPROACH FOCUSED ON ECONOMIES BUILT UPON THE CONSUMPTION AND CULTIVATION OF SUSTAINABLE GOODS AND SERVICES.
  4. $478,201 spent. HELPING PEOPLE IN POOR, RURAL COMMUNITIES ACHIEVE ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE THROUGH A DEVELOPMENTAL APPROACH FOCUSED ON ECONOMIES BUILT UPON THE CONSUMPTION AND CULTIVATION OF SUSTAINABLE GOODS AND SERVICES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending September 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since December 1946.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.