WORLD VISION: AN OVERVIEW Building a better world for children since 1950
TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction......................................................1 Who We Are....................................................3 What We Do....................................................5 How a Community Is Transformed...............7 Where We Work.............................................9 2015 Financial Results....................................10 Why We Are Trusted.................................... 11 Ways to Partner.............................................13
RICH STEARNS PRESIDENT WORLD VISION U.S.
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I INTRODUCTION
Prior to becoming the president of World Vision U.S. in 1998, Rich had a corporate career that spanned a variety of industries. Driven by a passion to raise awareness for poverty and justice issues, Rich is a prolific speaker and author of two books, the award-winning The Hole in Our Gospel and Unfinished. Rich and his wife, ReneĂŠ, live in Washington state and have five children.
“World Vision believes God created each child, loves them more than we can imagine, and desires not just survival but fullness of life for them. We work to break the barriers of poverty so that children can reach their God-given potential.” –Rich Stearns
From the president Dear Friend, Children are worth believing in. And that belief propels everything we do. For more than 65 years, World Vision has followed God’s call to protect children and help them experience fullness of life. As I travel all over the world, I see the difference that people like you are making in the lives of children every day. I see the sparkle in their eyes and the joy in their hearts because they are well cared for. I see children in schools and clinics that didn’t exist before World Vision partnered with their communities. I meet mothers and fathers who are able to feed their families because they have been given access to improved agriculture, clean water, community health, and nutrition programs—or maybe because they received a small loan to start a business. I invite you to continue reading and learn how you can partner with us to provide hope and life for children. In this overview you will discover how World Vision works with communities to create lasting solutions to poverty that help children flourish. For children,
Rich Stearns President, World Vision U.S.
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Who we are World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice.
Our vision for every child, life in all its fullness. Our prayer for every heart, the will to make it so.
We are child focused Founded in 1950, World Vision has been helping children and their communities for more than 65Â years. We are driven by the belief that every child deserves the opportunity to realize their full, God-given potential.
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I WHO WE ARE
We measure ourselves against four child well-being objectives: 1. Children
3.
2. Children
4.
are healthy are educated
Children experience the love of God and their neighbors Children are protected, cared for, and participate as vital members of their community
We bring lasting change Our long-term, comprehensive approach enables children, families, and communities to break the cycle of poverty for good. We work with communities over many years to build ownership and capacity that sustains development when World Vision is no longer there. With decades of proven results, our expertise in community development means lasting change for children.
We are followers of Christ World Vision is a Christian organization. We follow our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in working with the poor and oppressed to promote human transformation, seek justice, and bear witness to the good news of the kingdom of God.
We believe God has called us to do this work and to do it with excellence. Our donors and supporters can rely on our drive, passion, integrity, and commitment to tangible, transformational results.
We achieve global impact With 46,000 staff serving tens of millions of people worldwide in nearly 100 countries, World Vision is tackling the root causes of poverty at a global level.
As one of the world’s largest humanitarian organizations, we use our influence to address the deep-rooted systemic issues that lead to poverty.
LEARN MORE about our vision, mission, and values at worldvision.org/our-impact 4
What we do World Vision works with communities to develop long-term solutions to overcome poverty, provides emergency assistance to children and families affected by natural disasters and civil conflict, and advocates for justice on behalf of the poor.
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DEVELOP communities
RESPOND to emergencies
ADVOCATE for change
Our holistic model enables us to address the root causes of poverty. We use an integrated, long-term approach that relies on the participation and ownership of community members at every step, freeing them to realize their potential.
Our extensive global infrastructure enables us to respond quickly almost anywhere in the world. Our reputation as “first in, last out” means we are both an early responder and an ongoing partner as communities recover and rebuild.
We engage institutions, donors, and governments to address the global issues that perpetuate poverty. At the same time, we empower the children, families, and communities with whom we work to speak up for their own rights.
I WHAT WE DO
Enabling change in seven key areas World Vision works holistically, understanding that multiple areas must be addressed to create sustainable change.
CHILD PROTECTION We work to prevent the exploitation of children, protect the most vulnerable, and bring healing to children who have been exploited. CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP We strengthen churches so they can nurture children, helping them develop character and leadership skills based on biblical values. CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION We help provide access to clean water, basic sanitation facilities, and hygiene education to prevent child disease and death. ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT We provide access to microloans and training, help households gain access to markets, and facilitate savings groups— improving family incomes and creating jobs. EDUCATION We work with communities and local governments to improve access to quality education. FOOD AND AGRICULTURE We partner with communities to address immediate food needs as well as equip families to create sustainable food sources for the future. MOTHER AND CHILD HEALTH We focus on mother and child health, providing basic medicines, supplies, and training to prevent and treat illnesses at the community level. 6
How a community is transformed BUILD TRUST Social transformation starts with building trust—trust between World Vision staff and the community. This step can last from two months to two years.
COME TOGETHER Community participation gains momentum in this phase. As the community works together on early projects, relationships are strengthened. These stronger ties become critical to the success of the steps to follow.
MAKE DECISIONS During this phase, community members assess their needs and priorities and develop a multi-year plan of action. Men, women, and children work together to determine how a large portion of the project budget is to be allocated.
WORLD VISION BEGINS TO HELP CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
MOTHER AND CHILD HEALTH
Lasting change through long-term partnerships World Vision partners with groups of communities in defined geographic regions, which we refer to as area development programs, or ADPs. These ADPs encompass an average of 10,000 to 50,000 people and last 10 to 15 years—or until the community is empowered to continue driving development without World Vision’s presence. 7
I HOW A COMMUNITY IS TRANSFORMED
? Image?
DESIGN SOLUTIONS Once community members have decided where they want to go, they begin designing practical steps to take them there. World Vision provides oversight and assistance as needed, but lets the community members work collaboratively to design their own solutions.
TAKE OWNERSHIP The final step in this transformation marks the beginning of true self-sustainability for a community. Communities assume ownership as they create durable structures and economic activities, which become the engine that sustains and perpetuates these structures for years to come.
COMMUNITY CONTINUES THEIR OWN DEVELOPMENT CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP
CHILD PROTECTION
EDUCATION
SOCIAL
TRANSFORMATION
ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT
Beginning with the first handshake, World Vision and the communities we serve become partners in a journey toward self-sustainability. World Vision’s hands-on involvement gradually lessens as community members make their own decisions, introduce solutions, and establish self-sustaining social structures.
PHYSICAL
The steps a community takes toward physical transformation usually begin with access to clean water and other life essentials, which build on each other to create a strong foundation in which every child has the opportunity to thrive and build a healthy, hope-filled future.
SPIRITUAL
Another transformation occurs as a community continues the journey toward spiritual transformation. World Vision staff members—through their words, values, actions, and relationships—demonstrate God’s love to a community. We nurture spiritual growth in contextually appropriate ways by supporting biblical teaching and partnering with local churches where they exist.
TRANSFORMATION
TRANSFORMATION
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Where we work World Vision has long-term partnerships with communities in nearly 100 countries, and helps children and youth in America’s most distressed areas reach their full potential.
Global impact Each year, our 46,000 staff work to improve the well-being of tens of millions of people in nearly 100 countries. In 2015, World Vision: • Responded to 137 major disasters and humanitarian emergencies • Helped more than 2.3 million people gain access to clean water, as well as improve practices for sanitation and hygiene • Disbursed more than $771 million in microloans to 1.1 million hardworking people in 32 countries • Assisted more than 2.7 million children and adults in the United States through leadership training programs, disaster response, and access to basic necessities such as clothing, food, and school supplies
VIEW interactive map at: worldvision.org/our-impact 9
I WHERE WE WORK
World Vision U.S.
2015 Financial Results Our effectiveness has earned the trust and support of more than 1 million donors, thousands of churches, and hundreds of corporations, institutions, and government agencies around the world.
Funding Sources Operating revenue declined by 3 percent during the year to $1 billion. While private cash and public grant donations declined, gift-in-kind revenue rose 10 percent. 57% private cash contributions
17% 1%
25% gifts-in-kind 57%
25%
17% public grants 1% other income, net
Operating Expenses In 2015, 84 percent of World Vision’s total operating expenses were used for programs that benefit children, families, and communities in need.
10%
6%
84% programs 10% fundraising
LEGEND:
84%
6% management & general
Where we work Note: This map represents countries where World Vision worked in the 2015 fiscal year.
LEARN MORE at worldvision.org/ar 10
Why we are trusted For more than 65 years, World Vision has been a global leader in providing solutions that help children overcome poverty. Our long-term work in a community brings deep and lasting change.
Proven and effective solutions for children: 91% success
rate of our programs targeting severe acute child malnutrition, compared to an industry standard of 75%.
Every $1
donated provided $1.30 worth of impact to children and communities served worldwide in 2015.
80% of our wells continue to
function at high levels 20 years after they are built, evident from an independent study in Ghana by the University of North Carolina Water Institute.
Nearly 99% of our microloans are repaid, at which point the capital is recycled so more people are able to access loans.
10 times
World Vision reached more people with clean water in 2015 than we did just five years prior.
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I WHY WE ARE TRUSTED
“World Vision completely changes the trajectory of people’s lives. … The good deeds lead to good will, which then leads to opportunities to share the good news.” Max Lucado
Pastor and Author
“As a partner of the United Nations, in many countries, World Vision has worked tirelessly to save lives and bring hope through development assistance and emergency relief.”1 Ban Ki-moon
Secretary-General of the United Nations
“We’ve been on the front lines with World Vision throughout the world. They have stayed when the going gets tough.” 2 Josette Sheeran
“There’s no question that working with the world’s largest NGO—the credibility that World Vision brings, as well as its reach and history of working in underdeveloped communities— brings a great advantage to us. When you bring the power of World Vision together with the power of Microsoft, we can do great things.” Steven Duggan
Director, Worldwide Education Strategy, Microsoft Corporation
“What a beautiful experience to see the result when God brings together people from opposite sides of the world to address a basic human need and change the future of a people forever.” Pat Treff National Leadership Council Member & World Vision Major Gift Donor
Executive Director, World Food Program 2007-2012
1 United Nations/Ban Ki-moon (2010, October). Ban Ki-moon Congratulates World Vision on 60th Anniversary. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRMT4GeKVY4 2 World Food Program/Alejandro Chicheri (2011, September 22). WFP Head Highlights ‘Courage’ Of Key NGO Partner World Vision. Retrieved from http://www.wfp.org/stories/wfp-head-highlights-%E2%80%98courage%E2%80%99-key-ngo-partner-world-vision
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Join us to change the lives of children around the world.
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I WAYS TO PARTNER
You can partner with World Vision in the following ways: Support projects that transform communities so children can grow and thrive. Consider a gift through your estate as part of your own lasting legacy. Invite others at your workplace, church, or group to partner with World Vision to help create measurable, lasting change.
“ ... Truly I tell you,
whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
Contact your World Vision representative today to learn how you can help build a better world for children.
— Matthew 25:40 (NIV)
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Serving alongside the poor for more than 65 years. 34834 Weyerhaeuser Way South
P.O. Box 9716
Federal Way, WA 98063-9716
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. ©2016 World Vision
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