Why give to Mercy Corps

1. We follow a time-tested approach to transformational change.

We have 34 years of practical know-how, learned on the ground and backed by the technical skills of our specialists in agriculture, engineering, economics and public health. Over that time, we’ve developed a distinctive approach to transformational change rooted in the following principles:

• We know that communities are the best agents of their own change.
• We know that local markets are often the fastest, most durable drivers of economic recovery.
• We know that traditional development solutions will never adequately address the enormous challenges these communities face.

That’s why we approach each challenge with an open mind and a bias for action. We listen to local people and prioritize their most urgent needs. We fix gaps to get markets up and running. We bring groups together to negotiate conflicts and strengthen civic participation, in the belief that all development success is built on the foundation of good governance.

Find out how you can help ▸

2. We are efficient stewards of the money entrusted to us.

You can trust that your donations are used wisely. Over the last five years, Mercy Corps has used 88 percent of our resources to fund programs that help people in need around the world. Only 12 percent goes to administrative costs.

Our financial stewardship has earned us the highest possible rating from Charity Navigator, the premier American charity evaluator.

Endorsements from other charity watchdogs ▸

3. We deliver results.

Last year, we provided vital assistance to communities in crisis in 42 countries around the world. Our recent accomplishments include:

• Delivering clean drinking water to 400,000 Syrian refugees and their Jordanian host families.
• Supplying food to more than 23,000 people in Niger — many of them severely malnourished children — to survive the Sahel’s devastating drought until the next harvest.
• Graduating 2,000 Afghan women from our job-training classes, the first opportunity for many to receive an education and earn their own living.
• Supplying seeds and farmer trainings to help 13,500 families in Nepal grow stronger staple grains and more profitable crops like chilies, cucumbers and onions.
• Providing a safe haven and play therapy for 1,260 kids in Central African Republic who escaped attacks by the notorious Lord’s Resistance Army.

See a photo essay of recent accomplishments ▸

4. We hold ourselves accountable both to donors and to the people we serve.

Chief among our core values is accountability. We believe that it is our duty to be effective stewards of the financial resources entrusted to us. We monitor and evaluate the efficacy of our programs with a dedicated staff of specialists, and conduct regular internal and external financial audits.

Our financial information and annual reports pageincludes detailed, audited financial statements and tax-related documents filed with the IRS.

Our strategic roadmap (PDF) provides an overview of Mercy Corps’ vision, challenges and goals for our fiscal year.

You can also review our privacy policy and our donor pledge.

Still have questions? Get answers now by calling our Donor Relations team at (888) 842-0842, or email donorservices@mercycorps.org.

Attachments

MercyCorps_FY2013_Strategic_Roadmap.pdf