World Vision is a Christian relief and development organisation working for the well being of all people, especially children. Through emergency relief, education, health care, economic development and promotion of justice, World Vision helps impoverished communities help themselves.

World Vision projects can be grouped into two major areas: 1) long-term sustainable community development focusing on meeting needs identified by the community itself, like clean water, education, health care, agricultural improvements and public hygiene, and 2) short-term emergency relief, such as providing food, shelter and medical care to victims of natural or man-made disasters. Most relief projects are designed to transition smoothly into development activities.

World Vision was founded in 1950 by Dr Bob Pierce in response to the needs of Korean War orphans. Since then it has grown to include fund raising offices in 12 countries in North America, Europe and the Far East. Lately, more and more offices in countries traditionally perceived as beneficiary nations are also raising their own funds.

Child-focused development starts with the recognition that children are the future of any family, community and nation. It means improving the lives of children by dealing with the causes of their suffering, not just the symptoms. We recognise that children do not live in a vacuum, but in a larger context of family and community, and our work impacts all of these.

For example, it is by resolving food insecurity issues in a community with irrigation systems, improved seeds and training to farmers that their children eat better and are healthier...not just this year, but in the foreseeable future.

Children are the most vulnerable members of any community. Project activities are always tailored to have maximum benefit for them.

Almost 80% of World Vision's funding comes from private sources, including individuals, corporations and foundations. The remainder comes from governments and multilateral agencies. Aside from cash contributions, World Vision accepts gifts-in-kind, typically food commodities, medicine, and clothing donated through corporations or government agencies.

Approximately half of World Vision's programs are funded through child sponsorship. Individuals, families, churches and groups are linked with specific children or specific community projects in their own country or abroad. Sponsors pledge a certain amount each month to the support of these children or projects. Child sponsorship seeks to address the root causes of poverty and suffering so a child can enjoy as full a life as possible.

World Vision is an independent, private Christian organisation and is not formally affiliated with any government, denomination, foundation or corporation, though we maintain positive working relationships with all of these.

Communities frequently contribute to development projects so they have a real sense of ownership and true participation. Give-aways have been proven not to work in development. They are taken for granted and, for the poor and disadvantaged, undermine dignity. But when local people contribute materials and labour to build a school, with World Vision providing furniture, books and training for a local teacher, the community cares about that school. It is a source of pride. It also ensures lifestyle improvements will continue after World Vision's involvement concludes.

No. Community development projects are specifically designed to be permanently sustainable with locally available resources, technology, materials and leadership. Families and individuals share in project leadership, responsibilities and activities from the start and are well equipped and motivated to continue in these roles when World Vision departs.

We want to send as much money as we can to those places where people are in need. In order to raise money, we have to spend money on fundraising activities. In 2004 we spent approximately 16.3% of the total global revenues we raised on administration and fundraising. Since World Vision is a federation, each national office will commit slightly different amounts to administration and fundraising. The percentage of revenues that World Vision spends on overhead has been declining. It is consistent with the average overhead costs for organisations in the international aid sector.

The international accounting firm Price Waterhouse Coopers performs regular audits of World Vision’s accounts and operations. World Vision also has an internal audit system and conducts regular ‘peer reviews’ where offices are reviewed by peers from sister offices throughout the world.

World Vision functions as a partnership of interdependent national offices, overseen by their own Boards or advisory councils. A common mission statement and shared core values bind the Partnership. By signing the Covenant of Partnership, each partner agrees to abide by common policies and standards. Partners hold each other accountable through an ongoing system of peer review.

The Partnership Offices, located in Geneva, Bangkok, Nairobi, Nicosia, Los Angeles, and San Jose, Costa Rica, co-ordinate the strategic operations of the organisation and represent World Vision in the international arena. Each national office, regardless of how big its programs are, enjoys equal voice in Partnership governance, erasing the usual distinctions between the developed and developing world.
An international Board of directors oversees the World Vision Partnership. The full Board, which meets twice a year, appoints the Partnership's senior officers, approves strategic plans and budgets, and determines international policy.

The 24 Board members come from 19 different nations.

As much as possible, operational decisions are made at the local or national level. National directors approve more than 90% of all projects within previously approved budgets. National Boards, comprised of business, church, and social service leaders exercise responsibility for governance at the national level.

World Vision strives to follow Christ’s example to love one another, especially children and the poor. By addressing the root causes of poverty, we seek “life in all its fullness” for all people. Fullness of life is finding peace, comfort and spiritual rest. It is not something that is imposed but is offered as a free gift from God. While World Vision is motivated by Christian faith, we are respectful of other faiths and beliefs. There are no conditions attached to our assistance other than human need.

In 2005, about 83% of World Vision’s 22,500 staff members identified themselves as Christians; the remaining 17% said they were Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus or members of other faiths. World Vision employs staff that respect its values but which may hold different religious beliefs. To maintain the ethos of the organisation World Vision believes it is important that staff share a commitment to our values.

World Vision is not an evangelistic organisation. Our ministry consists in acts of mercy on behalf of the poor and oppressed. Nevertheless, in all World Vision projects, staff are ready to give a reason for their hope and their labours. Christian education is included in project activities whenever appropriate and desired by the community. In many countries where we work, formal public evangelism is forbidden by government policy and we respect this.

No. World Vision offers assistance without any reference or favouritism to the religious faith of those with whom we work. Our bottom line in our relief work is immediate need and in our development work is poverty. Our assistance is available to all those in need, regardless of religious belief, race, gender or ethnic background.

Through years of relief and development work we have learnt that communities cannot be built or strengthened through health care, sound nutrition, quality education, income generation, etc. alone. Mankind has a spiritual dimension that also needs to be addressed. World Vision works with local partners, including churches, to organise summer camps, religious celebrations, including Christmas and Easter and the distribution of children's study literature on the Bible, church traditions and history, to nurture this dimension. We support local churches as part of the community to help them carry out these activities in the longer term.