Founded in 1962, World Renew runs disaster relief and development projects to promote health, food security, and peace. The charity is a ministry of the Christian Reformed Church and partners with local churches and Christian aid organizations. It also works closely with both World Renew USA and Canadian Foodgrains Bank to run its global projects.

World Renew’s main programs include Disaster Programs, Overseas Development, Education and Justice, and Domestic Development.

Disaster Programs were 73% of program costs in F2020. World Renew responds to emergencies such as the refugee crisis in Bangladesh, floods in South Sudan, and conflict in Yemen. In F2020, the charity helped 1,139,531 people in 27 countries through its disaster programs. During the year, World Renew also contacted 994 disaster-affected families to assess their needs and rebuilt 214 damaged homes.

Overseas Development made up 22% of program costs in F2020. World Renew works with 76 Christian partners and 1,254 communities to promote sustainable development. The charity’s development programs aim to improve food security, health, economic opportunity, and peace and justice across 21 countries. World Renew helped a total of 274,495 people through its development projects in F2020. This included 1,100 women who received health checks and maternal health training in Kenya.

The remaining 5% of program costs included Education and Justice (4%) and Domestic Development (1%). In F2020, World Renew helped to settle 147 refugees in Canada.

World Renew received $11.9m in Canadian donations in F2020. It also received $6.9m in government funding (32% of revenues) and $2.4m in international donations (11% of revenues) during the year. According to its financial notes, World Renew receives funding from two related parties: World Renew USA and the Christian Reformed Church in North America – Canada Corporation. However, the charity does not disclose the amounts of related party transfers included within donations.

Administrative costs are 6% of revenues (less investment income) and fundraising costs are 12% of Canadian donations. This results in total overhead spending of 17%. For every dollar donated to the charity, 83 cents go to the cause. This is within Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending.

World Renew has $5.9m in funding reserves. It can cover 31% or less than four months of annual program costs with its existing reserves.

In F2020, World Renew granted $2.4m to Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB). CFGB works with Global Affairs Canada and 15 partners, including World Renew, to provide aid to developing countries.

World Renew also works with World Renew USA to administer certain programs. In F2020, World Renew allocated $2.8m in project expenses to World Renew USA, while World Renew USA allocated $5.3m in project expenses to World Renew. World Renew also paid $794k in administrative costs to the Christian Reformed Church in F2020.

Charity Intelligence has sent this update to World Renew for review. Changes and edits may be forthcoming.

Updated on August 24, 2021 by Eric Zhao.