Church World Service Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
CHURCH WORLD SERVICE, INC. IS A PRIVATE, VOLUNTARY FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATION WITH 37 MEMBER COMMUNIONS THAT TRANSFORMSCOMMUNITIES AROUND THE GLOBE THROUGH JUST AND SUSTAINABLE RESPONSES TO HUNGER, POVERTY, DISPLACEMENT AND DISASTER.
- Income
- $279.9 million
- Spending
- $274.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 86%
- Reserves
- 0.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 88%
- Employees
- 1,669
- Volunteers
- 2,800
- Highest pay
- $444,041, ceo & president
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 54 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (international, over $100m).
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.9 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 45% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 1% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1586% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 21% of charities in its peer group (international, over $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2514 of 15 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 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 (3)
- $222.0 million spent. SERVICES TO DISPLACED PERSONS - THE CWS COMMITMENT TO REFUGEES AND OTHER DISPLACED PERSONS IS A PROPHETIC EXPRESSION OF OUR CALLING IN FAITH TO WELCOME STRANGERS, TO GIVE VOICE TO THE UPROOTED, TO PROVIDE DURABLE SOLUTIONS, AND TO CHALLENGE THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR SUFFERING AND DISPLACEMENT. CWS WORKS WITH A NETWORK OF CHURCHES, ORGANIZATIONS, AND INDIVIDUALS THAT ASSIST UPROOTED PERSONS THAT HAVE HAD TO FLEE THEIR COUNTRIES DUE TO PERSECUTION, ARMED CONFLICT, ETC. TOGETHER, WE SEEK TO PROVIDE FORCIBLY DISPLACED POPULATIONS SUPPORT TO ADDRESS CRITICAL UNMET NEEDS AS DURABLE SOLUTIONS ARE SOUGHT. ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: SHELTERING PEOPLE TEMPORARILY DISPLACED BY CIVIL STRIFE AND OTHER FACTORS BEYOND THEIR CONTROL, PROVIDING SHELTER, FOOD, MEDICAL ASSISTANCE, LEGAL AID, ETC. TO REFUGEES, REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT IN THE US THROUGH CONGREGATIONS, PROTECTING THE UPROOTED PERSONS IN THE MOST VULNERABLE SITUATIONS, RESPONDING TO NEW AND EMERGING REFUGEE SITUATIONS, ADVOCATING INITIATIVES THAT INFLUENCE US GOVERNMENT AND OTHER POLICIES AND LAWS AFFECTING THE PROTECTION OF UPROOTED PERSONS, AND PROVIDING IMMIGRATION SERVICES AND SUPPORT.CWS PROTECTS AND ASSISTS REFUGEES, ASYLUM SEEKERS, MIGRANTS, AND OTHER DISPLACED PEOPLE THROUGH PROGRAMS GROUNDED IN OUR FAITH BASED COMMITMENT TO DIGNITY, WELCOME, AND JUSTICE. TODAY, CWS WORKS ALONGSIDE INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES AFFECTED BY FORCED DISPLACEMENT, CONFLICT, CLIMATE IMPACTS, AND HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS, PROVIDING PROTECTION, HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE, AND PATHWAYS TO LONG TERM STABILITY. THROUGH A GLOBAL NETWORK OF PARTNERS, WE HELP MEET THE BASIC SURVIVAL NEEDS OF DISPLACED COMMUNITIES BY PROVIDING ACCESS TO SHELTER, FOOD, MEDICAL CARE, LEGAL SERVICES, AND RELIABLE INFORMATION ON WHERE AND HOW TO GET ASSISTANCE THROUGHOUT ALL PHASES OF MIGRATION. IN THE UNITED STATES, CWS REMAINS A GLOBAL LEADER IN REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT AND NEWCOMER SUPPORT, PARTNERING WITH CONGREGATIONS AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO ENSURE REFUGEES HAVE HOUSING, EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION, A WELCOMING COMMUNITY, AND THE RESOURCES THEY NEED TO REBUILD THEIR LIVES AND THRIVE. WE ALSO ENGAGE IN NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ADVOCACY TO INSPIRE, EDUCATE, AND INFORM THE PUBLIC AND POLICY MAKERS; STRENGTHEN INCLUSIVE, RIGHTS BASED MIGRATION AND REFUGEE POLICIES; AND EXPAND SAFE AND REGULAR PATHWAYS FOR MIGRATION. OUR PROGRAMS PRIORITIZE PEOPLE AT HIGHEST RISK OF AND MOST VULNERABLE TO HARM AND EXPLOITATION INCLUDING UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN, WOMEN, AND MIGRANTS WITH DISABILITIES AND TO ENSURE PROTECTION, CULTIVATE BELONGING, AND DELIVER OPPORTUNITIES FOR DURABLE SOLUTIONS.
- $5.6 million spent. EMERGENCY RESPONSE - CWS JOINS TOGETHER WITH OTHERS TO SUPPORT PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES IN HUMANITARIAN CRISES AROUND THE WORLD. CWS HELPS THE FAITH COMMUNITY PLAY ITS SPECIAL ROLE IN DISASTER MITIGATION, PREPAREDNESS, AND RESPONSE. IN RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES AND WORKING DURING PROLONGED PERIODS OF NEED, CWS WORKS TO ENSURE THE WORLD'S MOST VULNERABLE PEOPLE BECOME SELF-SUFFICIENT. THE GOAL IS TO ACHIEVE DURABLE SOLUTIONS THAT BUILD OR RESTORE PEACE, JUSTICE AND DIGNITY.ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE TO ADDRESS THE IMMEDIATE NEEDS OF THE MOST VULNERABLE SURVIVORS OF NATURAL AND HUMAN CAUSED DISASTERS, MATERIAL ASSISTANCE RELATED TO NATURAL AND HUMAN CAUSED DISASTERS, MITIGATION, PREPAREDNESS, PLANNING, AND SUSTAINABLE ASSISTANCE TO MINIMIZE THE IMPACT OF DISASTERS, DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND IMMEDIATE AND LONG-TERM RESPONSE ACTIVITIES OF PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES PREPARING FOR AND AFFECTED BY NATURAL AND HUMAN CAUSED DISASTERS, AND PROVISION OF PASTORAL, SPIRITUAL, AND PSYCHOLOGICAL CARE THAT HELPS DISASTER SURVIVORS COPE WITH THE CRISIS SITUATION AND RECOVER THEIR CAPACITY TO MOVE FORWARD POSITIVELY.CWS RESPONDS TO HUMANITARIAN EMERGENCIES BY PARTNERING WITH COMMUNITIES BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER CRISES AND DISASTERS TO REDUCE RISK, ALLEVIATE SUFFERING, SAVE LIVES, AND SUPPORT LONG TERM RECOVERY. OUR EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROGRAMS ADDRESS THE URGENT, IMMEDIATE NEEDS OF PEOPLE AFFECTED BY NATURAL DISASTERS AND HUMAN CAUSED CRISES BY PROVIDING SAFE SHELTER, ESSENTIAL RELIEF ITEMS, FOOD ASSISTANCE, AND ACCESS TO CLEAN WATER, SANITATION, AND HYGIENE. WE PRIORITIZE THE MOST AT RISK POPULATIONS, INCLUDING CHILDREN, WOMEN, REFUGEES, AND RURAL FAMILIES LIVING IN SITUATIONS OF POVERTY, WHILE SUPPORTING COMMUNITY LED RECOVERY AND RESTORING LIVELIHOODS OVER THE LONGER TERM. CWS ALSO STRENGTHENS COMMUNITY DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND RESILIENCE BY SUPPORTING LOCALLY LED MITIGATION EFFORTS, CLIMATE ADAPTATION, COMMUNITY BASED PLANNING, AND ANTICIPATORY ACTION. THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH FAITH COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS, WE HELP ENSURE THAT PEOPLE AFFECTED BY HUMANITARIAN CRISES RECEIVE NOT ONLY MATERIAL SUPPORT BUT ALSO PASTORAL, SPIRITUAL, AND PSYCHOSOCIAL CARE THAT PRIORITIZES RESPECT AND PROMOTES DIGNITY, HOPE, AND LONG TERM WELL BEING. OUR APPROACH INCORPORATES EFFORTS TO ENABLE DURABLE SOLUTIONS THAT PROMOTE PEACE, JUSTICE, AND COMMUNITY RESILIENCE TO FUTURE CRISES.
- $5.6 million spent. GLOBAL RELIEF AND DEVELOPMENT - CWS WORKS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS, CHURCHES, INDIVIDUALS, ORGANIZATIONS, AND OTHERS AROUND THE WORLD TO BRING ABOUT SUSTAINABLE CHANGE. BY WORKING TOGETHER TO SUPPORT DEVELOPMENT AND FOOD SECURITY, CWS SEEKS TO WORK WITH MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES EXPERIENCING CHRONIC HUNGER AND POVERTY AND TO ACHIEVE DURABLE SOLUTIONS THAT BUILD PEACE AND JUSTICE. THE FOCUS OF THE WORK IS ON THE MOST VULNERABLE PERSONS AND COMMUNITIES TO DEVELOP SOCIALLY, ECONOMICALLY AND ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES AND ACHIEVE A HIGHER QUALITY OF LIFE. THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMS ARE PART OF THIS FUNCTIONAL CATEGORY: HUNGER AND MALNUTRITION, CLIMATE CHANGE AND SUSTAINABILITY, EDUCATION, WATER, LIVELIHOODS, FOOD SECURITY AND RIGHTS, INDIGENOUS PEOPLES, PROTECTION OF VULNERABLE YOUTH AND CHILDREN, AND HEALTH.CWS WORKS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH COMMUNITIES AROUND THE WORLD TO ADVANCE SUSTAINABLE, LOCALLY LED DEVELOPMENT THAT PROMOTES FOOD SECURITY, SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS, EQUITABLE ACCESS TO CLEAN WATER, CLIMATE RESILIENCE, AND THE PROTECTION OF PEOPLE IN VULNERABLE SITUATIONS. WE OPERATE IN CONTEXTS OF CHRONIC POVERTY, FOOD INSECURITY, INEQUITY, AND CLIMATE DRIVEN STRESS, SUPPORTING FARMERS TO IMPROVE PRODUCTIVITY AND REDUCE LOSSES, AND EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES TO DIVERSIFY INCOME, MANAGE NATURAL RESOURCES, AND BUILD RESILIENCE TO CLIMATE SHOCKS AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE. THROUGH WATER, SANITATION, AND HYGIENE INITIATIVES, WE HELP IMPROVE HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND ECONOMIC PARTICIPATION. WE ALSO SUPPORT CHILDREN AND YOUTH, INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES, AND OTHERS FACING STRUCTURAL INEQUALITY TO ACHIEVE GREATER SOCIAL INCLUSION, SAFETY, AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT. GUIDED BY INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN STANDARDS, THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS, AND PRINCIPLES OF DIGNITY, BELONGING, AND EQUALITY, CWS WORKS WITH LOCAL PARTNERS TO DESIGN MULTISECTORAL PROGRAMS GROUNDED IN COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION AND LEADERSHIP AND LONG TERM IMPACT, WITH THE GOAL OF BUILDING A MORE PEACEFUL, JUST, EQUITABLE, AND ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE WORLD WHERE ALL PEOPLE CAN THRIVE.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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 September 7, 2026.
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 September 30, 2026.
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 September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since June 2000.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
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 7, 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.