Is Lutheran World Relief Inc Legit?

Quick charity verification for Lutheran World Relief Inc (EIN: 132574963)

Verdict: Lutheran World Relief Inc appears trustworthy

90/100Mission Score

$72.1MRevenue

$124.2MAssets

1Red Flags

5Strengths

Red Flags

Consistent 0% officer compensation reported, which may indicate a reporting anomaly rather than actual zero compensation for executives, requiring further investigation for full transparency.

Strengths

Significant asset growth, from $41,109,818 in 201509 to $124,202,513 currently, indicating strong financial management.
Consistent revenue generation, with the latest at $72,103,558, supporting substantial operations.
Expenses generally well below revenue in recent years (e.g., 202209 revenue $69.6M vs. expenses $43.4M), allowing for asset accumulation.
Long history of IRS 990 filings (13 periods), demonstrating consistent transparency and compliance.
Low liabilities relative to assets (e.g., $22,077,786 liabilities vs. $91,180,951 assets in 202309), indicating a healthy balance sheet.

Spending Breakdown

How Lutheran World Relief Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

85%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

10%

Admin Costs

Reasonable — admin costs in check

Fundraising

Within typical range

How to read this: Well-run charities typically spend 75% or more on programs, keep admin under 25%, and fundraising under 15%. A high program ratio means more of every dollar goes directly to the mission.

How to Interpret This Report

What Red Flags Mean

Red flags are potential warning signs identified by AI analysis of IRS 990 filings. They may indicate issues like declining revenue, high executive pay relative to program spending, lack of transparency, or governance concerns. A single red flag does not necessarily mean an organization is untrustworthy, but multiple flags warrant further investigation before donating.

What Mission Score Measures

The Mission Score (0-100) evaluates how effectively a nonprofit fulfills its stated purpose. It combines multiple factors: program spending efficiency (how much goes to programs vs. overhead), financial health and sustainability, governance quality, transparency in reporting, and consistency of operations over time. A score of 70+ indicates strong alignment with the organization’s mission.

Using This Data for Donation Decisions

Use this report as one input in your decision. Look at the overall Mission Score for a quick assessment, review red flags and strengths for specific concerns, check the spending breakdown to see where money goes, and compare executive compensation to the organization’s size. Consider viewing the full transparency report for deeper analysis, and always verify tax-exempt status with the IRS before making large donations.

Frequently Asked Questions about Lutheran World Relief Inc

Is Lutheran World Relief Inc a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Lutheran World Relief Inc (EIN: 132574963) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 1 red flag identified, 5 strengths noted.

Is Lutheran World Relief Inc a good charity to donate to?

Lutheran World Relief Inc has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $72.1M. Assets: $124.2M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Lutheran World Relief Inc?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Lutheran World Relief Inc is 132574963. This is the unique tax ID assigned by the IRS.

What is a Mission Score?

The Mission Score is a 0-100 rating that measures how effectively a nonprofit fulfills its stated mission. It factors in program spending efficiency, financial transparency, governance practices, and outcome reporting. Scores above 70 indicate strong mission alignment, 40-69 suggest mixed performance, and below 40 signals potential concerns.

How does Lutheran World Relief Inc spend its money?

Lutheran World Relief Inc allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Lutheran World Relief Inc's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Lutheran World Relief Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 132574963 on the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search (TEOS) at apps.irs.gov/app/eos. You can also request copies of their Form 990 directly from the organization, as they are required by law to provide them upon request.

AI Transparency Report

Lutheran World Relief Inc. demonstrates a generally strong financial position and commitment to its programmatic mission. Over the past decade, the organization has consistently maintained substantial assets, reaching $124,202,513 in its latest filing, indicating robust financial health. While revenue has fluctuated, it has shown an upward trend, with the latest reported revenue at $72,103,558. The organization's spending efficiency appears solid, with expenses generally well below revenue in recent years, allowing for asset growth. For instance, in 202309, expenses were $49,951,215 against $61,383,371 in revenue, and in 202209, expenses were $43,430,701 against $69,634,457 in revenue. This suggests effective management of resources and a focus on building capacity.

The organization's transparency is commendable, particularly regarding executive compensation. The consistent reporting of 0% for Officer Comp across all available filings is a significant positive indicator, suggesting that executive salaries are either not reported in this specific line item or are exceptionally low, which is unusual for an organization of this size. This practice, if accurately reflecting total compensation, would contribute significantly to public trust and demonstrate a strong commitment to directing funds towards its mission rather than administrative overhead. The consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 13 periods further enhances its transparency profile, providing a clear historical record of its financial operations.

View Full Transparency Report →

Disclaimer

AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.