World Renew is a 5-star charity with Good demonstrated impact on its international development programs. The charity is financially transparent and has reasonable overhead costs. Its results reporting grade is above average.

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

World Renew’s main programs include Disaster Programs, Overseas Development, Education and Justice, and Domestic Development. In F2022, the charity helped 649,667 people in 30 countries across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America.

Disaster Programs represented 80% of program costs in F2022. World Renew responds to violence, war, drought, flooding, storms, and covid-19 emergencies. In F2022, the charity helped 388,634 people in 25 countries through its disaster programs. World Renew also repaired and rebuilt 107 homes damaged by disaster during the year.

Overseas Development made up 15% of program costs in F2022. World Renew works with 72 Christian partners and 1,399 communities to promote sustainable development. The program aims to improve food security, health, economic opportunity, peace, and justice across 19 developing countries. World Renew helped 261,033 people through its development projects in F2022.

The remaining 5% of program costs included Education and Justice (3%) and Domestic Development (2%).

World Renew received $18.2m in Canadian donations in F2022. It also received $9.3m in government funding (31% of revenues) and $2.1m 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 8% of revenues (less investment income), and fundraising costs are 8% of Canadian donations. This results in total overhead spending of 16%. For every dollar donated to the charity, 84 cents go to the cause. This is within Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending.

World Renew has $21.0m in reserve funds. The charity can cover around one year of its annual program costs with its reserves.

In F2022, World Renew granted $13.3m (64% of total program costs) to Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB). CFGB works with Global Affairs Canada and 15 partners, including World Renew, to aid developing countries.

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

Updated on June 09, 2023 by Krystie Nguyen.