Give.org logo
Support Give.org
Support Give.org
CHARITY REVIEW
Issued: October 2024 Expires: October 2026

Global Refuge

Standards Not Met
Standards Not Met
16
(410) 983-4000
700 Light Street
Baltimore, MD, 21230
https://globalrefuge.org
📄 Full Report 🖨️ Print 📋 BBB Charity Standards

Standards For Charity Accountability

Governance

  1. Board Oversight
  2. Board Size
  3. Board Meetings
  4. Board Compensation
  5. Conflict of Interest

Measuring Effectiveness

  1. Effectiveness Policy
  2. Effectiveness Report

Finances

  1. Program Expenses
  2. Fundraising Expenses
  3. Accumulating Funds
  4. Audit Report
  5. Detailed Expense Breakdown
  6. Accurate Expense Reporting
  7. Budget Plan

Fundraising & Info

  1. Truthful Materials
  2. Annual Report
  3. Website Disclosures
  4. Donor Privacy
  5. Cause Marketing Disclosures
  6. Complaints

Global Refuge does not meet the following 1 Standards for Charity Accountability:

Standard 16 (Annual Report)
Have an annual report available to all, on request, that includes: (a) the organization's mission statement, (b) a summary of the past year's program service accomplishments, (c) a roster of the officers and members of the board of directors, (d) financial information that includes (i) total income in the past fiscal year, (ii) expenses in the same program, fund raising and administrative categories as in the financial statements, and (iii) ending net assets.

Global Refuge does not meet this Standard because the 2023 annual report did not include:

  • 2023 financial information that matched the organization's audited financial statements.

Global Refuge meets the remaining 19 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Stated Purpose:
"to foster a world of just and welcoming communities."

Year, State Incorporated:
1966, MD

Also Known As:
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service

Global Refuge reports that it is committed to walking alongside immigrants and refugees as they become valued and empowered members of the community. The organization does this by helping them find a place to live, connect with services and resources, learn a new language, enroll in school, and meet a new community. Global Refuge also works with individuals and families to build an economic foundation, from financial literacy to employment and job search assistance. The organization also connects with local employers to build hiring and workplace relationships.

For the year ended December 31, 2023, Global Refuge's program expenses were:

U.S. government-funded activities: $207,867,327

Other program activities: $7,718,253

Total Program Expenses: $215,585,580

Chief Executive
Krish O'Mara Vignarajah, President and Chief Executive Officer

Compensation*
$642,967

Chair of the Board
Bryn Parchman

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Retired, Former Chief Executive Officer, Port Discovery Museum

Board Size
16

Paid Staff Size
700

*2023 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.

Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Radio, Telemarketing

Fundraising costs were 1% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $229,237,308, are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)

This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.

The following information is based on Global Refuge's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023.

Source of Funds
Foundations and corporations $565,145
Other contributions $7,083,389
In-kind contributions $112,723
U.S. government grants $221,476,051
Servicing fees $1,523,484
Miscellaneous $61,047
Investment return $5,938,890
Total Income $236,760,729

Programs: 93% Fundraising: 1% Administrative: 5%

Total Income $236,760,729
Total expenses: $230,814,266
  Program expenses $215,585,580
  Fundraising expenses $3,249,993
  Administrative expenses $11,978,693
  Other expenses $0
Income in Excess of Expenses $5,946,463
Beginning Net Assets $56,521,000
Other Changes In Net Assets $0
Ending Net Assets $62,467,463
Total Liabilities $45,296,492
Total Assets $107,763,955

Note: According to Global Refuge's 2023 audited financial statements - consolidated -, the organization received in-kind contributions totaling $112,723 in the form of household furnishings.

An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus.

This report is not to be used for fundraising or promotional purposes.

RELATED CONTENT

Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance