Church World Service (CWS) is a faith-based organization that provides humanitarian aid and disaster relief for communities impacted by poverty, hunger, and displacement. 1
Background
The CWS is a faith-based organization initially founded in 1946 to assist struggling communities within Europe and Asia during the aftermath of World War II by suppling food, clothing, and medical supplies. In addition, it helped relocate refugees into the United States by the 1950’s-1960’s. Later on, the organization changed its focus to more long-term development to communities in need as well as providing assistance for refugees and displaced communities impacted by conflict, climate emergencies, and political situations. 2
Funding
In 2018, the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS) named CWS as one of several charitable nonprofit groups referred to as voluntary agencies (or “volags”) that had received federal grants from the U.S Department of State for the purpose of assisting refugees to resettle in the United States. 3 Services provided by “volags” through federal grants include housing, food and clothing, English language orientation, and enrollment in benefits and welfare programs. 4
Financials
According to its 990 tax forms, in 2016, CWS had received $$93,044,199 in grants and contributions, with over 73% of that total (or $68,448,159) coming from government grants. 5 Similarly, in 2017 CWS received $96,723,739 in grants and contributions with $68,448,159 (or almost 71%) coming from government grants. 6
According to its 2021 990 form, the organization reported $152,129,784 in revenue, $149,003,159 in expenses, and $51,124,354 in total assets. 7
Leadership
Richard L. Santos is the president and CEO of CWS, as of August 2023. Prior to taking the position in 2021, Santos was the president and CEO of faith-based health organization IMA World Health. Prior to this, he worked for CWS initially as a program officer for the organization’s Vietnam branch before eventually becoming Coordinator of Strategic Planning and Evaluation. He is also the board treasurer for Christain health-based network Christian Connections for International Health (CCIH). “Rick Santos, President and CEO.” Church World Service, Accessed August 1, 2023. https://cwsglobal.org/about/leadership/president-and-ceo/[/note]
References
- “About.” Church World Service, Accessed March 1, 2023. https://cwsglobal.org/about/
- “History.” Church World Service, Accessed August 1, 2023. https://cwsglobal.org/about/history/
- Rush, Nayla. “‘Private’ Refugee Resettlement Agencies Mostly Funded by the Government.” Center for Immigration Studies, August 10, 2018. https://cis.org/Rush/Private-Refugee-Resettlement-Agencies-Mostly-Funded-Government
- Rush, Nayla. “‘Private’ Refugee Resettlement Agencies Mostly Funded by the Government.” Center for Immigration Studies, August 10, 2018. https://cis.org/Rush/Private-Refugee-Resettlement-Agencies-Mostly-Funded-Government
- Rush, Nayla. “‘Private’ Refugee Resettlement Agencies Mostly Funded by the Government.” Center for Immigration Studies, August 10, 2018. https://cis.org/Rush/Private-Refugee-Resettlement-Agencies-Mostly-Funded-Government
- Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Church World Service. 2021. Schedule I. Archived: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/134080201/202233199349321398/full