Lutheran World Relief
Lutheran World Relief is a 501(c)(3) international aid organization founded in 1945 that supports smallholder farmers, disaster-affected communities, and U.S. Lutheran congregations across more than 40 countries through agricultural livelihoods programs, humanitarian assistance, and a volunteer-powered Quilts and Kits distribution model, operating as a subsidiary of Corus International.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1945
- HeadquartersBaltimore, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Lutheran World Relief does
Lutheran World Relief (LWR) is a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) international aid and development organization founded in 1945 by American Lutherans to assist those displaced by World War II. Headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, with 51-100 employees, LWR has grown into a global organization operating programs in more than 40 countries across East Africa, West Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia, the Middle East, and the United States. Since 2019, LWR has operated as a subsidiary within the Corus International family alongside IMA World Health, CGA Technologies, Ground Up Investing, and Farmers Market Brands.
LWR's core programmatic offerings are organized into three practice areas: Rural Economies and Agricultural Livelihoods (coffee, cocoa, and smallholder farmer support), Environment (sustainable farming and climate resilience), and Humanitarian Assistance (disaster response and recovery). Its product portfolio consists of volunteer-assembled humanitarian aid products — LWR Mission Quilts and Kits of Care (Baby Care Kits, Personal Care Kits, School Kits, Fabric Kits) — distributed to people affected by poverty and disaster, alongside social enterprise products including LWR Farmers Market Coffee, which is sourced directly from farmer cooperatives and sold to consumers and congregations. Over its 80+ year history, LWR has facilitated the distribution of 28 million quilts and 29 million kits to 136 countries.
LWR's revenue model rests on three pillars: (1) individual donations via one-time gifts, a tiered monthly giving program (Faithful Neighbor at $29, $50, $100, and $250 per month), emergency appeals, legacy/bequest giving, and gift catalog purchases; (2) institutional grants and cooperative agreements from bilateral and multilateral funders (U.S. Department of State, USDA, FCDO, Global Affairs Canada, European Union), foundations (Gates Foundation, Starbucks Foundation), and corporate partners; and (3) product sales through LWR Farmers Market Coffee. The Quilt and Kit program operates on approximately $3.3 million in annual overhead to deliver roughly $20 million of in-kind aid, demonstrating a highly efficient volunteer-driven distribution model.
Lutheran World Relief firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Lutheran World Relief
- Legal name
- Lutheran World Relief
- Website
- https://lwr.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1945
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Lutheran World Relief is a 501(c)(3) international aid organization founded in 1945 that supports smallholder farmers, disaster-affected communities, and U.S. Lutheran congregations across more than 40 countries through agricultural livelihoods programs, humanitarian assistance, and a volunteer-powered Quilts and Kits distribution model, operating as a subsidiary of Corus International.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Lutheran World Relief industry classification
Industry- Product category
- International Humanitarian Aid and Development
- NAICS
- Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Religious Organizations (8131), Civic and Social Organizations (8134), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Community Food Services (624210)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Faith-Based Humanitarian Aid & Relief Ministries (BPAGAJAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Refugee, IDP & Migration Humanitarian Assistance (BPAGAAAH), Humanitarian Health & Emergency Medical Relief NGOs (HLAJAKAE), Faith-Based & Mission Service Programs (EDAIAGAI)
Keywords
Where Lutheran World Relief is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Baltimore
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Lutheran World Relief business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: One-time and recurring donations from individual supporters, including monthly giving program (Faithful Neighbor) with tiers at $29, $50, $100, and $250 per month. Also includes emergency appeal donations, legacy gifts, and donor-advised fund contributions.
- Institutional Grants and Funding: Funding from government agencies (US Department of State, USDA, Global Affairs Canada), foundations (Gates Foundation, Starbucks Foundation, Margaret something), and multilateral organizations (European Union). The organization has over 55 years of experience managing awards from bilateral and multilateral organizations.
- Product Sales - Coffee: Sales of LWR Farmers Market Coffee directly to consumers and congregations. Coffee is sourced directly from farmers participating in LWR projects, with farmers receiving a strong up-front price plus profit sharing. Available in 12oz bags for home use or bulk for congregations.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Faithful Neighbor Monthly Giving - Entry Level |
| Subscription | Monthly | Faithful Neighbor Monthly Giving - Standard Tier |
| Subscription | Monthly | Faithful Neighbor Monthly Giving - Premium Tier |
| Subscription | Monthly | Faithful Neighbor Monthly Giving - Leadership Tier |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Quilt & Kit Shipping Fund |
| One time/ perpetual license | One time/ perpetual license | Engraved Brick Sponsorship |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
Lutheran World Relief product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Lutheran World Relief is a nonprofit humanitarian aid and international development organization that channels donor contributions and institutional grants into three program areas: (1) Rural Economies and Agricultural Livelihoods supporting smallholder farmers; (2) Environment and climate-resilience programming; and (3) Humanitarian Assistance for disaster- and conflict-affected populations. Its sellable offerings include handcrafted LWR Mission Quilts, Kits of Care (Baby Care, Personal Care, School, Fabric Kits), LWR Farmers Market Coffee, and the Gifts of Love charitable gift catalog.
Product overview
Lutheran World Relief is a humanitarian aid and international development organization (501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 13-2574963) founded in 1945. The organization operates a portfolio of charitable products and programs rather than a technology platform. Core offerings include LWR Mission Quilts and Kits of Care (Baby Care Kits, Personal Care Kits, School Kits, Fabric Kits) assembled by volunteers, distributed globally to those in need. Social enterprise products include LWR Farmers Market Coffee sold through Farmers Market Brands LLC in partnership with THRIVE Farmers Coffee. The Gifts of Love Catalog enables donors to purchase specific charitable items. Programs focus on Rural Economies and Agricultural Livelihoods, Environment and climate resilience, and Humanitarian Assistance in disaster response.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- LWR Farmers Market Coffee: Coffee sourced directly from farmers participating in Lutheran World Relief projects, offered in medium roast, dark roast, and decaf varieties
- LWR Mission Quilts
- LWR Kits of Care
- Faithful Neighbors
- Gifts of Love Catalog
Products and services
- LWR Mission Quilts Handcrafted quilts assembled by U.S. Lutheran congregation volunteers since 1945 and distributed globally to provide warmth, bedding, and comfort to people affected by poverty, disaster, and conflict. Over 28 million quilts have been distributed to 136 countries.
- Baby Care Kits Assembled kits containing basic baby care supplies that help newborns get a healthy start, distributed to families in crisis or poverty situations.
- Personal Care Kits Self-care and hygiene kits providing essential grooming supplies and germ-fighting tools to individuals displaced by disaster or living in poverty.
- School Kits Educational supply kits equipping children with essential learning materials so they can continue their education during crises and displacement.
- Fabric Kits Craft supply kits providing materials and skills training that lead to marketable vocations, helping individuals generate income and achieve self-sufficiency.
- LWR Farmers Market Coffee Direct-trade coffee sourced from farmers in LWR projects, available in balanced medium roast, classic dark roast, and smooth decaf varieties. Farmers receive up-front pricing and share in profit margins as partners rather than only as suppliers; available in 12oz bags or bulk, including subscription options.
- Gifts of Love Catalog Online catalog offering charitable gift items — such as livestock, farming supplies, and emergency supplies — that donors can purchase to fund specific needs in LWR program areas.
Quantifiable outcome
- 28 million quilts and 29 million kits distributed to 136 countries over 80+ years
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Lutheran World Relief
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Lutheran World Relief technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Lutheran World Relief partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered supporting, flagship and core.
- Cari-Med Group LimitedsupportingPartnership announced in May 2026 to address post-hurricane health care needs in Jamaica, deploying mobile clinics to hard-hit communities following Hurricane Melissa.
- Starbucks FoundationflagshipOver a decade-long partnership (since 2015) supporting coffee communities across Colombia and Indonesia. Partnership focuses on uplifting women, supporting families, and strengthening coffee-growing communities.
- Corus InternationalflagshipParent organization since 2019. LWR joined the Corus International family, an ensemble of global leaders united in ending poverty, suffering and injustice. Includes IMA World Health, CGA Technologies, Ground Up Investing, and Farmers Market Brands.
- IMA World HealthcoreSister organization and global public health leader within the Corus International family. Often functions as a partner on integrated programming.
- CGA TechnologiessupportingTechnology for development company within the Corus International family that provides technical solutions for development programs.
- THRIVE Farmers CoffeecoreCoffee roaster partner producing LWR Farmers Market Coffee, sharing passion for helping farmers lift themselves out of poverty and become self-sufficient.
- ACT AlliancesupportingGlobal coalition of churches and church-related organizations engaged in humanitarian and development work.
- TechnoServesupportingNonprofit organization that works with enterprising people in the developing world to create competitive farms, businesses, and industries.
- ThriventsupportingThrivent Action Teams allow supporters to fundraise, volunteer, or hold educational events for LWR. Thrivent provides seed money and kits for approved team activities.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Lutheran World Relief competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Heifer International: A nonprofit focused on ending hunger and poverty through sustainable agriculture and livestock distribution to smallholder farmers, closely overlapping LWR's rural economies mission and Gifts-of-Love catalog approach.
- International Rescue Committee: A leading humanitarian organization responding to the world's worst crises, with deep presence in many of the same fragile states (Syria, Yemen, DRC) where LWR operates.
- Catholic Relief Services: The U.S. Catholic Church's international humanitarian agency, operating in 100+ countries with agricultural livelihoods, emergency response, and faith-based donor engagement directly comparable to LWR's model.
- Mercy Corps: A global humanitarian and development NGO with overlapping geographic footprint (DRC, Sudan, Latin America) and similar agricultural livelihoods plus emergency response programming, though secular in identity.
- Islamic Relief USA: A faith-based humanitarian organization with parallel donor engagement model (zakat-inspired giving), agricultural programs, and emergency response comparable to LWR's faith-rooted approach.
- World Relief: An evangelical Christian humanitarian organization focused on refugee resettlement, disaster response, and economic development — overlapping LWR on faith-based identity and humanitarian programming.
- American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee: A faith-based humanitarian organization with donor-supported international development programs targeting vulnerable Jewish and non-Jewish communities — comparable faith-rooted international aid model.
- Church World Service: A multi-denominational faith-based humanitarian organization delivering emergency relief and sustainable development, with a comparable congregational engagement and material aid distribution model.
Broad incumbents
- World Vision U.S. A much larger evangelical humanitarian organization operating globally with sponsorship, emergency response, and long-term development — significantly broader scale but overlapping programmatic focus.
Emerging players
- TechnoServe: An explicitly named LWR partner, TechnoServe works with enterprising farmers in the developing world on competitive farms, businesses, and industries — directly comparable on the coffee and cocoa value-chain work LWR does in Latin America and Africa.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Lutheran World Relief social profiles
Digital presenceLutheran World Relief financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Lutheran World Relief leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Lutheran World Relief funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Lutheran World Relief M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Lutheran World Relief
What does Lutheran World Relief do?
Lutheran World Relief is a nonprofit humanitarian aid and international development organization that channels donor contributions and institutional grants into three program areas: (1) Rural Economies and Agricultural Livelihoods supporting smallholder farmers; (2) Environment and climate-resilience programming; and (3) Humanitarian Assistance for disaster- and conflict-affected populations. Its sellable offerings include handcrafted LWR Mission Quilts, Kits of Care (Baby Care, Personal Care, School, Fabric Kits), LWR Farmers Market Coffee, and the Gifts of Love charitable gift catalog.
Is Lutheran World Relief a public or private company?
Lutheran World Relief is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Lutheran World Relief founded?
Lutheran World Relief was founded in 1945. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Lutheran World Relief based?
Lutheran World Relief is headquartered in Baltimore, United States, in the North America region.
How does Lutheran World Relief make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are institutional Grants and Funding and product Sales - Coffee.
Who are Lutheran World Relief's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Heifer International, International Rescue Committee, Catholic Relief Services, Mercy Corps, Islamic Relief USA, World Relief, American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee and Church World Service. World Vision U.S. is listed as a broad incumbent. TechnoServe is listed as an emerging player.
Does Lutheran World Relief have an API?
No public API is recorded for Lutheran World Relief.
What industry is Lutheran World Relief in?
Lutheran World Relief's product category is International Humanitarian Aid and Development. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAJAF, Faith-Based Humanitarian Aid & Relief Ministries, with a secondary code of BPAGAAAH, Refugee, IDP & Migration Humanitarian Assistance. Its NAICS code is 813 and its SIC code is 8300.