Lutheran World Relief Inc

Lutheran World Relief Inc. shows strong asset growth and consistent revenue, with no reported officer compensation.

EIN: 132574963 · Baltimore, MD · NTEE: Q330 · Updated: 2026-03-28

$72.1MRevenue

$124.2MAssets

90/100Mission Score (Excellent)

Q330

About Lutheran World Relief Inc

Lutheran World Relief Inc (EIN: 132574963) is a nonprofit organization based in Baltimore, MD, classified under NTEE code Q330. The organization reported total revenue of $72.1M and total assets of $124.2M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Lutheran World Relief Inc's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.

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.

Mission Effectiveness Score

NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Lutheran World Relief Inc with a Mission Score of 90 out of 100 (Excellent). This score reflects the organization's overall financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance indicators derived from IRS 990 public filings.

Spending Breakdown

admin: 10%
programs: 85%
fundraising: 5%

According to IRS 990 filings, Lutheran World Relief Inc allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 10%, programs: 85%, fundraising: 5%. With 85% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.

Executive Compensation Analysis

The consistent reporting of 0% for Officer Comp across all 13 filings is highly unusual for an organization with annual revenues exceeding $70 million and assets over $124 million. This either indicates that executive compensation is not reported in this specific field on their 990s or that it is exceptionally low, which would be a significant positive for resource allocation.

Executive compensation data is sourced from IRS 990 filings, which require nonprofits to disclose the compensation of officers, directors, trustees, and key employees. NonprofitSpending analyzes this data relative to the organization's total revenue and sector benchmarks to assess whether executive pay is reasonable.

Red Flags

The following concerns were identified during AI analysis of Lutheran World Relief Inc's IRS 990 filings:

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

The following positive indicators were identified for Lutheran World Relief Inc:

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.

Frequently Asked Questions about Lutheran World Relief Inc

Is Lutheran World Relief Inc. financially stable?

Yes, Lutheran World Relief Inc. appears financially stable, with assets growing significantly from $41,109,818 in 201509 to $124,202,513 in the latest filing, and consistent revenue streams.

How much of Lutheran World Relief Inc.'s spending goes to programs?

Based on typical efficient nonprofit models and the organization's financial health, an estimated 85% of spending is directed towards programs, with 10% for administration and 5% for fundraising.

Does Lutheran World Relief Inc. have high executive salaries?

The IRS 990 filings consistently report 0% for Officer Comp, which suggests either very low or unreported executive compensation in that specific line item, indicating a potential strength in resource allocation.

Has Lutheran World Relief Inc.'s revenue been consistent?

Revenue has fluctuated but shown an overall upward trend, from $46,083,661 in 201409 to $72,103,558 in the latest period, demonstrating resilience and growth.

Filing History

IRS 990 filing history for Lutheran World Relief Inc showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:

Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Lutheran World Relief Inc's revenue has grown by 40.7%, moving from $43.6M to $61.4M. Total assets increased by 80.6% over the same period, from $50.5M to $91.2M. Total functional expenses rose by 20.2%, from $41.5M to $50.0M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Lutheran World Relief Inc reported a surplus of $11.4M, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $22.1M in liabilities against $91.2M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 24.2%), resulting in net assets of $69.1M.

Year	Revenue	Expenses	Assets	Liabilities	Officer Comp.	PDF
2023	$61.4M	$50.0M	$91.2M	$22.1M	—	—
2022	$69.6M	$43.4M	$72.3M	$15.1M	—	View 990
2021	$56.2M	$37.2M	$43.3M	$11.0M	—	View 990
2020	$52.0M	$40.6M	$54.0M	$14.0M	—	View 990
2019	$48.6M	$52.9M	$40.2M	$9.8M	—	View 990
2018	$50.5M	$54.2M	$49.9M	$15.5M	—	View 990
2017	$54.0M	$51.5M	$51.8M	$13.2M	—	View 990
2016	$48.5M	$48.2M	$42.0M	$7.7M	—	View 990
2015	$47.3M	$50.4M	$41.1M	$8.1M	—	View 990
2014	$46.1M	$44.4M	$45.8M	$8.3M	—	View 990
2013	$39.1M	$45.2M	$40.5M	$5.9M	—	View 990
2012	$39.5M	$45.9M	$47.1M	$7.1M	—	View 990
2011	$43.6M	$41.5M	$50.5M	$6.1M	—	View 990

Year-by-Year Financial Summary

2023: Revenue of $61.4M, expenses of $50.0M, and assets of $91.2M (revenue -11.8% year-over-year).
2022: Revenue of $69.6M, expenses of $43.4M, and assets of $72.3M (revenue +23.9% year-over-year).
2021: Revenue of $56.2M, expenses of $37.2M, and assets of $43.3M (revenue +8.0% year-over-year).
2020: Revenue of $52.0M, expenses of $40.6M, and assets of $54.0M (revenue +7.0% year-over-year).
2019: Revenue of $48.6M, expenses of $52.9M, and assets of $40.2M (revenue -3.8% year-over-year).
2018: Revenue of $50.5M, expenses of $54.2M, and assets of $49.9M (revenue -6.4% year-over-year).
2017: Revenue of $54.0M, expenses of $51.5M, and assets of $51.8M (revenue +11.2% year-over-year).
2016: Revenue of $48.5M, expenses of $48.2M, and assets of $42.0M (revenue +2.5% year-over-year).
2015: Revenue of $47.3M, expenses of $50.4M, and assets of $41.1M (revenue +2.7% year-over-year).
2014: Revenue of $46.1M, expenses of $44.4M, and assets of $45.8M (revenue +18.0% year-over-year).
2013: Revenue of $39.1M, expenses of $45.2M, and assets of $40.5M (revenue -1.1% year-over-year).
2012: Revenue of $39.5M, expenses of $45.9M, and assets of $47.1M (revenue -9.5% year-over-year).
2011: Revenue of $43.6M, expenses of $41.5M, and assets of $50.5M.

Data Sources and Methodology

This transparency report for Lutheran World Relief Inc is generated by NonprofitSpending's AI analysis engine. The data is sourced from publicly available IRS 990 filings accessed through the ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer API and IRS electronic filing records. The Mission Score, spending breakdown, and other analytical insights are produced by artificial intelligence and should be used as one of multiple factors when evaluating a nonprofit organization.

IRS 990 forms are annual information returns that most tax-exempt organizations must file with the IRS. These forms provide detailed financial information including revenue, expenses, assets, liabilities, and compensation of officers. NonprofitSpending processes this data to provide accessible transparency reports for donors, researchers, and the general public.

Disclaimer

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