Lutheran World Relief

Lutheran World Relief
Founded1945
TypeInternational NGO
FocusHumanitarian aid
Location
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Daniel V. Speckhard, President and C.E.O.
Jean Hanson, Chair of the Board
Revenue
US$47 million (2016)[1]
Employees
71 (U.S.)
Websitelwr.org Edit this at Wikidata

Lutheran World Relief (LWR) is an international non-governmental organization that focuses on sustainable development projects and disaster relief and recovery. The organization was founded in 1945 to collect and send aid to people living in post-World War II Europe.[2] Today, LWR helps communities living in extreme poverty adapt to the challenges that threaten their livelihoods and well-being, and responds to emergencies with a long-term view. It is a member of the Corus International family of faith-based international development organizations, which include IMA World Health, CGA Technologies, Ground Up Investing, and LWR Farmers Market Coffee.

One of LWR's flagship programs – started in 1945 and continuing today – is its Quilt and Kit Ministry. Each year Lutherans across the United States assemble and donate LWR Mission Quilts, as well as several kinds of care kits to assist people living in poverty in times of emergency or great need.[3]

As of 2023, LWR did not meet the standards set by the Better Business Bureau's BBB Wise Giving Alliance.[4] In 2023, CharityWatch provided a combined score for Lutheran World Relief & IMA World Health, giving them an A, signifying top-rated.[5] As of October 2023, LWR held a 4-star rating with Charity Navigator, having rebounded from a 3-star rating on that organisation's previous two reports.[6] As of 2023, the crowd-sourced charity reviewer GreatNonprofits shows that LWR last received its 5-star top rating in 2016.[7]

LWR is a member of the ACT Alliance, a global alliance of churches and related agencies working on development that are committed to working together.

  1. ^ Annual and Financial Reports ([1])
  2. ^ "History – Lutheran World Relief". Retrieved January 18, 2018.
  3. ^ Quilt and Kit FAQs, on Lutheran World Relief's website. Retrieved November 11, 2015 ([2])
  4. ^ "Charity Review - Lutheran World Relief". BBB Wise Giving Alliance. Archived from the original on June 7, 2023. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
  5. ^ "Lutheran World Relief & IMA World Health". CharityWatch. Archived from the original on May 13, 2023. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
  6. ^ "Lutheran World Relief - EIN: 13-2574963". Charity Navigator. Archived from the original on January 31, 2023. Retrieved October 17, 2023. [summary in both the 2022 and 2023 reports] If this organization aligns with your passions and values, you can give with confidence.
  7. ^ "Lutheran World Relief". GreatNonprofits. Archived from the original on March 5, 2021. Retrieved October 17, 2023. GreatNonprofits 2016 Top-Rated Nonprofit