Tent Schools International (formerly Worldwide Christian Schools) is a religious advocacy group that provides education centers and other services for refugee and displaced children from around the world. ¹

According to its website, the organization supports increasing the amount of support for refugee-supportive philanthropic groups. Its website also lists “resources for teachers” that provide educational materials including documentaries, books, lesson plans, music playlists, newsletters, and “trauma-informed guides” for children. ²

Background

Tent Schools International is a religious-focused charitable organization that provides education centers to refugee and displaced children, with a mission statement reading, “Our mission is to demonstrate the love of Jesus for displaced children through safe, compassion schools.” ¹

Tent Schools International was formerly known as Worldwide Christian Schools. It changed its name to Tent Schools International in fiscal year 2016, according to its tax returns. ^{3 4}

Tent Schools International is based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. ^{5 6}

Activities

Tent Schools International provides educational centers and other services for regions with refugee and displaced populations. ^{7 1} The group also engages with “in-country leaders” to establish “portable schools” in refugee camps as well as providing technology to refugee camps towards improving educational standards. ^{8 9}

According to its website, the organization also supports increasing the amount of support for refugee-supportive philanthropic groups. Its website also lists “resources for teachers” that provide educational materials including documentaries, books, lesson plans, music playlists, newsletters, and “trauma-informed guides” for children. ²

Financials

According to past tax forms, Tent Schools International reached a peak asset level of $2.6 million in 2013. ¹⁰

In 2023, Tent Schools International reported revenues of $242,944, total expenses of $217,260, and net assets of $339,944. ¹¹

Funding

Tent Schools International has received funding from several philanthropic organizations including the Grand Rapids Community Foundation, the Barnabas Foundation, the Raymond James Charitable Endowment Fund, and the National Christian Charitable Foundation. ¹²

In 2023, Comprenew, a “recycling employment training” group, was listed as a tax-exempt organization formally related to Tent School International on the latter’s tax return. ¹³

Grantmaking

In 2023, Tent Schools International reported $55,137 in total grants made, with $52,447 going to “education” in Jordan and Lebanon and $2,690 going to “education” in Ukraine. ¹⁴

Leadership

Emily Klooster is the executive director of Tent Schools International. Klooster has previously worked with World Renew and AmeriCorps prior to Tent Schools International. ^{15 7}

1. “Our Mission.” Tent Schools International. Accessed January 18, 2026. https://tentschoolsint.org/about-us/our-mission/
2. “Resources for Teachers.” Tent Schools International. Accessed January 18, 2026. https://tentschoolsint.org/ways-to-help/resources-for-teachers/
3. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Worldwide Christian Schools. 2015. Box C.
4. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Tent Schools International. 2016. Box C.
5. “Contact Us.” Tent Schools International. Accessed January 18, 2026. https://tentschoolsint.org/about-us/contact-us/
6. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Tent Schools International. 2023. Box C.
7. “Our Team.” Tent Schools International. Accessed January 18, 2026. https://tentschoolsint.org/about-us/our-team/
8. “Schools for Refugees.” Tent Schools International. Accessed January 18, 2026. https://tentschoolsint.org/what-we-do/schools-for-refugees/
9. “Technology for Refugees.” Tent Schools International. Accessed January 18, 2026. https://tentschoolsint.org/what-we-do/technology-for-refugees/
10. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Tent Schools International (then known as Worldwide Christian Schools). 2013. Part I, line 22.
11. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Tent Schools International. 2023. Part I, lines 12, 18, 22.
12. “Filing Text Search – 38-2693388.” ProPublica. Accessed January 18, 2026. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/full_text_search?page=2&q=38-2693388
13. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Tent Schools International. 2023. Schedule R. Part II – Identification of Related Tax-Exempt Organizations.
14. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Tent Schools International. 2023. Part I, line 13; Schedule F. Part I – General Information on Activities Outside the United States.
15. “Emily Klooster.” Tent Schools International. Accessed January 18, 2026. https://tentschoolsint.org/about-us/our-team/emily-klooster/