Keeping our promises : 2007 financial highlights

Your gifts are in good hands

At World Vision, stewardship is an integral part of everything we do — because we recognize that every resource entrusted to us has the potential to transform the lives of children and families in need.

Revenue and overhead trends

In 2007, World Vision’s revenue increased by $6 million, or 1 percent. Revenue in 2005 included $68 million from generous U.S. donors to support South Asia tsunami relief and rebuilding efforts.

Overhead rate (percent of total revenue)

World Vision’s overhead rate represents management, general, and fundraising expenses as a percentage of total revenue. An increase from 13 to 14 percent in 2007 primarily reflects a decline in government grant revenue. Private cash contributions grew 10 percent in 2007, compared to a 9 percent increase in overhead expenses.

Program services (in millions)

Net assets (in millions)

Honoring God in all we do

As a Christian organization, World Vision believes the resources at our disposal are a sacred trust from God, through our donors, on behalf of the poor. And because it is our faith that motivates us to serve the poor, we are accountable not only to our donors, but also to God.

Our commitment to stewardship means we optimize and distribute resources where they are needed most. Programs and costs are carefully monitored and reviewed, donations and grants are used for their intended purposes, and funds are leveraged for maximum impact.

Measuring our stewardship

Overhead rate is one of several metrics World Vision uses to evaluate the efficiency of our work. We also recognize that a charity’s effectiveness should not be judged by its overhead alone.

To successfully carry out our mission of freeing children around the world from poverty, World Vision regularly monitors and evaluates our programs to ensure the highest quality and efficiency.

But we don’t stop there. Perhaps most importantly, we pray, acknowledging our dependence on God as we help to transform lives in some of the world’s most difficult places.

Maximizing our resources

Our multiple funding sources — private cash gifts, government grants, and gifts-in-kind — allow us to leverage all sources efficiently and keep overhead low. We leverage gifts from child sponsors to access grants and other donations. As a result, on average, every dollar donated by child sponsors results in more than one dollar in assistance to children enrolled in our programs — even after fundraising and administrative costs.