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Open Arms Worldwide

EIN 27-3828248 · Leesburg, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood86 out of 100GovernanceFair56 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OPEN ARMS WORLDWIDE (OAW) IS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT, CHRISTIAN ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO THE SPIRITUAL, MORAL, EMOTIONAL, PHYSICAL AND SOCIAL ENRICHMENT OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH WHO LIVE IN UNDER-SERVED OR FORGOTTEN COMMUNITIES AROUND THE WORLD - COMMUNITIES WHERE FAMILIES AND CHILDREN ARE AT HIGHER RISK OF BECOMING VICTIMS OF POVERTY, CRIME, VIOLENCE, ADDICTION, ABUSE, AND SOCIAL MARGINALIZATION.

Income
$457,425
Spending
$467,823
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
8.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
1
Volunteers
9
Highest pay
$41,052, president/executive direct

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (international, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 14% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 56 out of 100. Higher than 27% of charities in its peer group (international, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 9 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 December 31, 2024, 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 (5)
  1. $159,132 spent. THE LARGEST PROGRAM IN 2024 WAS SUPPORT AND DIRECT ASSISTANCE IN BRAZIL THROUGH OUR ONGOING PARTNERSHIP WITH COMUNIDADE BRACOS ABERTOS BRASIL, A REGISTERED BRAZILIAN NOT-FOR-PROFIT ASSOCIATION THAT SHARES OUR VISION FOR IMPROVING THE LIVES OF AT-RISK CHILDREN AND YOUTH. OUR LARGEST PROGRAM IS PROVIDING FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR 17 FULL-TIME BRAZILIAN CHRISTIAN MISSIONARIES SERVING IN THESE PROGRAMS. THESE MISSIONARIES ARE SERVING IN THREE DIFFERENT STATES IN BRAZIL COORDINATING PROGRAMS AND CAMPS IN COMMUNITIES THAT RANGE FROM URBAN SETTINGS TO INDIGENOUS VILLAGES. CHILDREN FROM MORE THAN 400 FAMILIES ARE PROVIDED SPIRITUAL AND CIVIC INSTRUCTION, ACADEMIC SUPPORT, AND NUTRITIONAL ASSISTANCE ON A DAILY BASIS THROUGH THIS NETWORK OF NEIGHBORHOOD OUTREACH MINISTRIES.
  2. $158,082 spent. WE SENT A TOTAL OF 4 INTERNATIONAL TEAMS TO BRAZIL IN 2024 AS WELL TO ASSIST WITH EVANGELISTIC CAMPS AND CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS. IN ADDITION WE SENT TWO NATIONAL TEAMS TO ASSIST WITH FLOOD RELIEF IN SOUTHERN BRAZIL. THE INITIAL RRT (RAPID RESPONSE TEAM) MADE GREAT PROGRESS, BUT THERE WAS STILL MORE TO BE DONE. OUR PARTNERS AT SOS GLOBAL AND THE EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE MISSION ASKED IF OAW COULD SEND ANOTHER TEAM BACK TO CRUZEIRO DO SUL IN ORDER TO COMPLETE THE RESTORATION WORK ON A LOW-INCOME CHILDCARE FACILITY, PREPARING OF AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN SO MIGUEL TO RECEIVE CHILDREN BACK, AND CONDUCT OPEN ARMS EVANGELISM AND DISCIPLESHIP MINISTRY WITH CHILDREN IN THE LOCAL SHELTER. WE RETURNED WITH A LARGER FOLLOW-ON TEAM TO COMPLETE THAT WORK.
  3. $87,514 spent. OUR THIRD LARGEST PROGRAM EXPENSE WAS DIRECT SUPPORT FOR THE OPERATIONS OF OUR BRAZILIAN PARTNER, COMUNIDADE BRACOS ABERTOS BRASIL. THESE FUNDS WERE USED FOR TUITION ASSISTANCE AND MEDICAL ASSISTANCE TO CHILDREN AND YOUTH SELECTED BY OUR PARTNERS IN BRAZIL, AND FOR EXTRA-CURRICULAR PROGRAMS INCLUDING SWIM CLASSES, DANCE CLASSES, AND A SOCCER CLUB OUTREACH. GRANT FUNDS WERE ALSO USED FOR PSYCHOLOGY SERVICES, AND OTHER OVERHEAD COSTS OF THE ORGANIZATION IN BRAZIL (TRANSPORTATION, RENTS AND UTILITIES).
  4. $18,401 spent. THE ISAIAH 254 BUILDING PROJECTS IN 2024 WERE FOCUSED ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW BASE OF OPERATIONS FOR REACHING THE PANTANAL REGION OF BRAZIL, AND A STEPPING STONE TO ESTABLISHING MINISTRY IN BOLIVIA AND PARAGUAY. THIS NEW BASE WILL BE HOME TO OUR CURRENT AQUIDAUANA NEIGHBORHOOD MISSION, AS WELL AS OUR OPEN ARMS PANTANAL HEADQUARTERS WHICH WILL HOUSE A NEW MISSIONARY TRAINING SCHOOL, COOP, AND MORE.
  5. $12,408 spent. RIO GRANDE DO SUL - OPEN ARMS WORLDWIDE, WITH OUR PARTNERS FROM SOS GLOBAL, SENT A TEAM TO THE CITY OF CRUZEIRO DO SUL IN THE IMMEDIATE AFTERMATH OF HISTORIC FLOODING THAT SWEPT AWAY ENTIRE VILLAGES. THERE THEY ASSISTED IN MEETING IMMEDIATE NEEDS OF THE RESIDENTS, MINISTERING TO THE CHILDREN IN THE OVERCROWDED TEMPORARY SHELTERS, AND WORKING HARD TO GET THE LOCAL SCHOOLS AND CHRISTIAN MINISTRY FACILITIES OUT FROM UNDER THE MUD AND BACK IN WORKING ORDER SO THAT CHILDREN COULD RETURN.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 2024.

    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 September 2012.

    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.