50 Largest Relief and Development Organizations – 2024
World Vision tops list again
Christians have long been on the front lines of relief and development efforts. So it’s no surprise that among the largest relief and development agencies in the country are Christian ministries. Three of them, World Vision, Samaritan’s Purse, and Compassion International, top $1 billion in revenue. This is the first year that Samaritan’s Purse has passed the $1 billion threshold.
This list should not be interpreted as a list of recommended ministries. They are ranked by total revenue, and not by ministry effectiveness, financial efficiency, or any other measure. We have, however, included ratings for the ministries so you can make informed decisions about which ministries you should support. To learn more about these ministries, click on the ministry’s name and read the full MinistryWatch profile on this organization.
A comparison of this year’s list to last year’s list (which you can find here) reveals a few important differences. Here are a few of them:
- The total revenue of the 50 ministries on this list is about $8.9 billion. That’s almost identical to last year’s total.Both numbers are still well above the 2022 level of $8.2 billion.
- Three years ago, annual revenue of $3 million would land you on this list.Two years, it took $5 million in revenue to make it into the top 50. Last year it took revenue of at least $5.8 million to make this list. This year the smallest ministry on the list had $8.5 million in revenue. That’s a sign that, in the relief and development world, size matters.
- Eight new ministries are on the list this year:CURE International, Tim Tebow Foundation, Cornerstone Assistance Network, Eight Days of Hope, International Disaster Emergency Service, Shelter for Life International, and Outreach Aid for the Americas/ECHO Cuba
- Ministries that have dropped off the list include: Eagle Ranch, World Emergency Relief, Healing Hands International, Christian Relief Fund, Kinship United, Lifewater International, Christian Blind Mission, MANNA Worldwide, and Echo.
Ministries that saw significant drops on this year’s list include Mercy Ships (9 to 19), Church World Service (14 to 23), and Kinsway Charities (18 to 39).
