From individual congregations and national denominations to international faith-based organizations, (FBOs), millions of Americans support health and development work in the U.S. and around the world. Christian, Jewish and Muslim religious organizations in the U.S. have long understood the interconnection between all God’s children near and far. Increasingly, more communities – Sikh, Buddhist and others are also increasing their engagement in U.S foreign assistance success.
 
U.S. foreign assistance dollars help leverage billions more dollars from other international donors, and from the private sector including civic groups, corporations, foundations, individuals and of course the generosity of faith communities.
 
FBOs are invaluable government partners. According to the Center for Faith & The Common Good, in FY16, 71 largest US FBOs in international assistance invested $6.79 billion, 83% from private dollars. 29 FBOs that receive public funding leverage it well, raising almost $5 for every public $1 received. This impressive amount of funding doesn’t account for donations from local houses of worship and denominations.

Volunteers and staff work with local governments and communities on a wide range of services: hospitals and healthcare centers, medical training, immunizations, agriculture, safe water, basic sanitation, nutritional supplements, eye treatments, anti-retroviral drugs, kitchen gardens, mother care groups, schools and much more that serve to strengthen families, communities and systems.

Large FBOs, like Catholic Relief Services, World Vision, Food for the Hungry and Church World Service have long been chosen, experienced USAID implementers to effectively deliver services. FBOs are on the front lines and trusted by local communities. They work with local partners, managing millions of U.S. foreign assistance dollars. It’s a public-private partnership that saves lives.
 
More than half the major FBOs raise their budgets entirely from private sources. Compassion International, for example, helps more than 1.8 million children break the cycle of poverty in 25 countries, using exclusively private funding. American Jewish World Service works to eradicate poverty and promote human rights on multiple continents and doesn’t take public funding. But whether or not FBOs receive public funds, every one of them sees from the frontlines how essential U.S. funds and influence are to delivering results for the families and communities they serve. They recognize this irreplaceable role played by U.S. government foreign assistance and strongly advocate for its continuation.