Mercy Corps
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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| Founders | Ellsworth Culver, Dan O'Neill |
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| Type | 501(c)(3) |
| Founded | 1982 |
| Headquarters | Portland, Oregon |
| Staff | Neal Keny-Guyer, Nancy Lindborg, Dan O'Neill |
| Area served | Global |
| Website | www.mercycorps.org |
Mercy Corps is a non-profit organization engaged in humanitarian aid and development activities. Since 1979, Mercy Corps has provided more than US$1.5 billion in assistance to people in 106 nations.[1] Supported by headquarters offices in North America and Europe, the agency's unified global programs employ 3,500 staff worldwide and reach nearly 16.4 million people in more than 35 countries.[1]
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[edit] History
The organization was founded in 1979 as Save the Refugees Fund, a task-force organized by Dan O'Neill in response to the plight of Cambodian refugees fleeing the famine, war and genocide of the Killing Fields. By 1982, the organization had expanded its work to other countries, was joined by Ellsworth Culver (Mercy Corps co-founder), and was renamed Mercy Corps International to reflect its broader mission. After a shift from simply providing relief assistance to focusing on long-term solutions to hunger and poverty, Mercy Corps' first development project began in Honduras in 1982.
As of 2009[update], Mercy Corps is planning to move from six cramped buildings in Portland's Lair Hill neighborhood into a new global headquarters in Old Town, near the Skidmore Fountain.[2]
[edit] Finances
Between 2000 and 2009, the agency's expenses for administration and fund-raising rose from about 5% of overall spending to 11%.[2] According to the organization's managers, such spending is necessary to sustain the organization's rapid growth; in 2008 Mercy Corps' overall revenue jumped 9% to $244 million.[2]
The agency's efficiency has consistently[citation needed] placed it as one of Charity Navigator's "Four-Star" charities of choice.[3]
For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2006, Mercy Corps' income was US$205 million. US$81 million (40%) was from government grants. US$63 million (31%) was from in-kind donations ("material aid") in the form of food, medical, linens, and other supplies and services. Mercy Corps' expenses were US$191 million, which includes salaries and other compensation for 3,200 paid staff. Mercy Corps' total assets in 2006 were over US$98 million. Neal Keny-Guyer, Chief Executive Officer, received over US$221,000 in compensation.[4]
[edit] Organization
Mercy Corps is a non-governmental organization (NGO) and a private voluntary organization (PVO). Keny-Guyer is the current CEO of Mercy Corps and Nancy Lindborg currently serves as the organization's President.
Mercy Corps merged with the Conflict Management Group founded by Roger Fisher in 2004.[5]
[edit] Awards and distinctions
On February 1, 2007, U.S. Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) nominated Mercy Corps for the Nobel Peace Prize.[6] Blumenauer primarily supported donations to Mercy Corps during hurricane Katrina.
Other awards and distinctions include:
- The Sitara-i-Eisaar (Star of Sacrifice) award, presented by General Pervez Musharraf, the President of Pakistan, in recognition of Mercy Corps' relief efforts following the 2005 Kashmir earthquake.[7]
- The Friendship Medal, presented posthumously to Mercy Corps co-founder Ellsworth Culver, by North Korean Ambassador Han Song Ryol - the first time that medal was presented to an American.[8]
- The 2003 Kahlil Gibran Spirit of Humanity Award, presented by the Arab American Institute Foundation for long-term efforts to help families living in the Arab world.[9]
[edit] References
- ^ a b "2007 annual report". Mercy Corps. http://www.mercycorps.org/files/mc_ar2007.pdf. Retrieved on 2008-11-08.
- ^ a b c Bead, Richard (May 27, 2009). "As Mercy Corps grows, overhead more than doubles since 2000". The Oregonian.
- ^ "Charity Navigator Rating - Mercy Corps". Charity Navigator. http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=4078. Retrieved on 2007-11-12.
- ^ "Better Business Bureau financial report on Mercy Corps". Better Business Bureau. http://charityreports.bbb.org/public/Report.aspx?CharityID=3571#charFinancial. Retrieved on 2008-11-08.
- ^ Robert Perito (2007). Guide for Participants in Peace, Stability, and Relief Operations. United States Institute of Peace Press. pp. 143. ISBN 978-1601270009.
- ^ "Charity up for Nobel Peace Prize". BBC News. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/6354043.stm. Retrieved on 2007-11-12.
- ^ Office of the Press Secretary to the President (2006-09-22). Musharraf confers awards on outstanding Americans for relief work in quake-stricken areas. Press release. http://www.presidentofpakistan.gov.pk/PRPressReleaseDetail.aspx?nPRPressReleaseId=1903&nYear=2007&nMonth=9. Retrieved on 2007-11-13.
- ^ "Pyongyang awards medal to American aid worker". Associated Press. 2006-01-16. http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,,1687142,00.html. Retrieved on 2007-11-12.
- ^ Kader, Nino. "Arab Foundation Awards Recognize "Spirit of Humanity"". U.S. Department of State. http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2003&m=April&x=20030424164750tiwomods0.3930475. Retrieved on 2007-11-12.
[edit] External links
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