The Salvation Army International

What The Salvation Army International does

The Salvation Army International is a Protestant Christian church and international charitable organization founded in 1865 by William and Catherine Booth in London, operating as a global movement in 134 countries under the leadership of General Lyndon Buckingham. Its core operations are coordinated through International Headquarters at 101 Queen Victoria Street, London, via The Salvation Army International Trust and its sole trustee, The Salvation Army International Trustee Company (SAITCo). The organization delivers a diversified portfolio of humanitarian services including disaster response (International Emergency Services), healthcare across 119 facilities in 18 countries, addiction rehabilitation, education programs, economic empowerment, refugee support, modern slavery response (14,552 survivors supported in 2024), and faith-based community programs delivered through 2,872 active ministry units.

The technology stack supporting these operations is modest and primarily comprises digital communications infrastructure rather than proprietary technology products. Key digital assets include the salvationarmy.org website, the All the World digital magazine (quarterly publication), the IHQ Equip online learning platform for officer training, the WASH-FIT assessment tool for healthcare facility evaluations, and standard social media presence across Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, and Flickr. Payment processing runs on Stripe, cloud infrastructure on AWS, and the organization maintains GDPR and CCPA compliance with a dedicated Data Protection Officer at IHQ.

The revenue model is that of a non-profit charitable organization with three principal streams: charitable donations from individuals and congregations, government and institutional grants (including EU funding), and social enterprise revenue from recycling shops and thrift stores operated by territorial commands. Services are provided free to beneficiaries, eliminating traditional pricing mechanics. The international trust itself functions as a coordinating and governance entity rather than a direct service provider, with autonomous territories handling local operations under the General's oversight per The Salvation Army Act 1980.

Name

The Salvation Army International

Legal name

The Salvation Army International Trust

Website

https://salvationarmy.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1865

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

The Salvation Army International is a global Protestant Christian church and charitable organization founded in 1865, operating in 134 countries through 2,872 ministry units delivering disaster response, healthcare, addiction rehabilitation, education, and modern slavery response services funded by donations, grants, and social enterprises.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Humanitarian and Charitable Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based Humanitarian Aid & Relief Ministries (BPAGAJAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Faith-Based Missions & Evangelism Organizations (Domestic & International) (BPAGAJAE), Faith-Based Social Services & Community Outreach (Food Pantries, Shelters, Counseling) (BPAGAJAG), Faith-Based Healthcare Ministries (Hospitals, Clinics, Medical Missions) (BPAGAJAH), Humanitarian Health & Emergency Medical Relief NGOs (HLAJAKAE)

Keywords

• Humanitarian services
• Disaster relief
• Social services
• Charitable programs
• Religious outreach

Headquarters

HQ city

Rancho Palos Verdes

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Charitable Donations: The Salvation Army relies primarily on charitable donations from individuals, congregations, and organizations worldwide. Donations support disaster response, community programs, and operational costs across all territories.
2. Government and Institutional Grants: The organization receives funding from government sources and international institutions to support specific programs including development work, health services, and social justice initiatives.
3. Social Enterprise Revenue: Recycling shops, thrift stores, and other social enterprises operated by The Salvation Army generate revenue while supporting the organization's charitable mission.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Salvation Army International is a Protestant Christian church and global charitable organization that delivers humanitarian aid, disaster relief, social welfare services, addiction recovery, homeless housing, food assistance, and faith-based community programs. It is funded primarily by donations and revenue from its charity retail thrift stores, and operates a worldwide network of corps (churches), social service centers, and emergency response units in more than 130 countries.

Product overview

The Salvation Army International is a global Christian church and charitable movement operating in 134+ countries. The organization offers a diverse portfolio of services organized around its mission to preach the gospel and meet human needs without discrimination. The core offerings include church and worship services, disaster response through International Emergency Services, community development programs, and advocacy through the International Social Justice Commission. Key digital resources include the All The World magazine publication, the Equip online learning platform, and various spiritual resources like the Morning Devotions Podcast and Words of Life devotional. Social services encompass addiction rehabilitation, healthcare facilities, education programs, economic empowerment, refugee support, and youth programs. The Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Response unit coordinates anti-trafficking efforts globally with training programs and survivor support. These programs are delivered through a network of faith communities, territorial structures, and specialized commissions working together to serve communities worldwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Disaster Relief Services
• Emergency and Transitional Housing
• Food Assistance and Meal Programs
• Adult Rehabilitation Centers (ARC)
• Family Stores (Charity Thrift Retail)
• Pathway of Hope Family Strengthening
• Worship and Pastoral Services
• Senior and Community Programs

Quantifiable outcome

• 14,552 survivors of modern slavery and human trafficking supported in 2024 alone
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration15 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Moore Kingston SmithminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 2 June 2026Consulting firm that supported the development of The Salvation Army's International Headquarters five-year strategy through extensive consultation with staff across IHQ.
• United NationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Salvation Army has worked at the United Nations since 1947 as an NGO. The International Social Justice Commission (ISJC) based in New York represents The Salvation Army at the UN, contributing to work on poverty, gender equality, security, development and health. The ISJC amplifies voices of the world's oppressed.
• International Social Justice Commission (ISJC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBased in New York near UN headquarters, the ISJC addresses significant human rights issues through an integrated, community-led approach. Collaborates with the MSHTR unit at IHQ to combat modern slavery and human trafficking internationally.
• World Health Organization (WHO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Salvation Army participated in a Vatican-hosted gathering under the patronage of the Vatican's Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, working alongside WHO/UNICEF on WASH in healthcare facilities initiative.
• Government of PhilippinescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorking closely with local government units, social workers, barangay authorities and City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office to coordinate Mindanao earthquake response.
• United Nations Member StatescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Salvation Army participates in UN initiatives including the 80th anniversary of the inaugural UN General Assembly, working with 193 member states on peace, justice, and humanitarian efforts.
• Government of MozambiquecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Salvation Army mobilizes support in Maputo Province through local churches to supplement government efforts during flood responses.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC): The largest global humanitarian network with presence in nearly every country, operating disaster response, health, and social services through volunteer-based national societies. Directly comparable to The Salvation Army in mission scope, geographic reach, and faith-inspired (in IFRC's case, humanitarian) motivation.
• Catholic Relief Services (CRS): Faith-based international humanitarian agency operating in over 100 countries delivering disaster relief, health, agriculture, and social justice programs. Directly comparable to The Salvation Army's faith-driven, multi-country humanitarian model.
• World Vision International: Christian humanitarian organization operating in nearly 100 countries focused on child welfare, disaster response, and community development. Closely comparable faith-based identity, geographic scale, and integrated relief-to-development programming.
• Caritas Internationalis: Confederation of over 160 Catholic relief, development, and social service organizations operating worldwide. Comparable faith-based charitable network model with presence in virtually every country, providing humanitarian relief, healthcare, and social services.
• Islamic Relief Worldwide: Faith-inspired humanitarian organization operating in over 40 countries providing disaster relief, healthcare, education, and economic empowerment. Directly comparable faith-motivated humanitarian model with global operational footprint.
• Church World Service (CWS): Faith-based humanitarian organization supporting refugees, disaster response, and sustainable development across 30+ countries. Comparable ecumenical Christian identity, refugee support programs, and disaster relief operations.

Broad incumbents

• Mercy Corps: Large global humanitarian organization operating in 40+ countries with programs in emergency response, economic development, and peacebuilding. Comparable operational scale and disaster response focus, though secular rather than faith-based.
• Habitat for Humanity International: Christian-rooted nonprofit operating in 70+ countries focused on housing, disaster response, and community development. Comparable faith origins and decentralized country-level operations serving vulnerable populations.
• Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders): International medical humanitarian organization providing emergency medical care in conflict zones and disasters across 70+ countries. Overlaps with Salvation Army's healthcare delivery and emergency response mandate in resource-limited settings.

Emerging players

• Direct Relief: International humanitarian medical aid organization providing emergency medical resources and disaster response globally. Comparable in healthcare facility support and emergency medical relief mission overlap with Salvation Army's 119 health facilities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SalvArmyIHQ
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/SAIHQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/SalvationArmyIHQ
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-salvation-army-usa-western-territory
• Instagraminstagram.com/salvationarmyihq

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about The Salvation Army International