Our world’s most unfortunate and underserved populations face many challenges, from poverty, hunger, and political conflicts, to natural disasters. In short, inequality is still a prominent problem in today’s society. Fortunately, many Christian charities, driven by their faith and compassion, are dedicated to providing essential support, empowering the vulnerable, and bringing hope to those facing adversity. So, we had to ask: What are the best Christian charities?

The best Christian charities are World Vision, Compassion International, and Convoy of Hope. Charities such as The Salvation Army and World Relief are also great, partnering with Christian churches and ministries to provide spiritual and physical support to needy people. 

Whether you want to help people in need, spread the love and hope of the gospel, or make the world a fairer, healthier, and better place, there is a charity for you. Keep reading to learn more about what the best Christian charities are, how they work, and what your best way would be to contribute.

Here’s What All the Best Christian Charities Have in Common

The charities on this list were chosen based on their mission, impact and transparency ratings, and achievements. They operate all over the world, from North America to Asia.

They are dedicated to supporting Christians as they strive for a prosperous, healthy, and happy life. 

Some charities focus on improving the spiritual and emotional health of Christians. Others provide material assistance and relief. 

Yet they all share the same goal of empowering individuals and building strong communities, often extending to people of all faiths and backgrounds. 

These Are the 9 Best Christian Charities in 2023

Below are our favorite Christian charities (you can click on their link to directly jump to their section in this article):

Best Christian Charities Making an Impact

World Vision

Compassion International

Convoy of Hope 

The Salvation Army

World Relief 

HOPE International 

Samaritan’s Purse

Children’s Hunger Fund

Cross International 

(At the end of this article we’ll also share our six-step approach on how you can select the best charity to support.)

World Vision: Protect and Support for Vulnerable Children 

World Vision was founded in 1950 by Bob Pierce to aid orphans in South Korea after the Korean War. Today, they are an international partnership of Christians who operate in numerous countries, transforming the lives of children and their communities, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. 

World Vision holds a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator. They also hold a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. 

“Working with the poor and oppressed to promote human transformation, seek justice, and bear witness to the good news of the Kingdom of God.”

World Vision

World Vision helps the most vulnerable children and their communities to overcome poverty and experience the fullness of life. They do this by offering child protection, health care, and education. They also provide emergency relief, aiding children and their communities with access to food, clean water, mental health support, education, and other support when humanitarian disasters and conflicts strike. Another focus of their work is to end poverty in all its forms. 

Since their inception, World Vision has helped and protected millions of children and their families. For example, they have established sponsorship for 3.2 million children, allowing them access to better education, health care, and other social services. Through their work, 3 million people gained clean water, 2.7 million people gained access to improved sanitation, and 3.3 million people gained access to handwashing services. Furthermore, they have provided emergency relief to 30 million people. 

You can donate to World Vision directly through their official website, where you can also sponsor a child to help with their education and healthcare. Other ways to get involved are participating in fundraising campaigns and providing real-time support in emergencies. 

Compassion International: Give Hope to Children in Poverty 

Compassion International was founded in 1952 by Reverend Everett Swanson to address the needs of orphaned children in South Korea. Today, they are a Christian organization working with churches in numerous countries to provide holistic child development programs. 

Compassion International holds a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator. They also hold a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. 

“We blend physical, social, economic and spiritual care together to help children in poverty fully mature in every facet of life.”

Compassion International

Compassion International helps to address the spiritual, physical, economic, and social needs of children living in poverty. They do this via child sponsorship, which enables individuals to sponsor a child, providing them with nutritious meals, medical care, education assistance, and mentorship. They also support projects such as mom-and-child survival programs, disaster relief, and income-generating activities for families.

Since their inception, Compassion International has impacted the lives of millions of children and their families, helping them break the cycle of poverty. For example, they established sponsorship for 2 million children by 2018, lifting them out of poverty and helping them access higher education. Children in the Compassion program are 80% more likely to graduate from college and 75% more likely to become community leaders. 

You can donate to Compassion International directly through their official website. You can also sponsor a child to provide direct support to a child in need. 

Convoy of Hope: Give Help, Share Hope

Convoy of Hope was founded in 1994 by the Donaldson family as a Christian organization dedicated to providing food and supplies to those in need. Today, they operate globally, helping millions affected by hunger, poverty, and crisis.

Convoy of Hope holds a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator. They also hold a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. 

“A humanitarian, faith-based organization on a mission to feed the hungry and bring help and hope to communities that need it most.”

Convoy of Hope 

Convoy of Hope strives to fight hunger and poverty. They do this by feeding children in schools, providing them with vital nutrition and clean water, and healthy environments. They also train farmers to break the cycle of poverty for themselves, work with rural communities to overcome poverty and hunger, and empower women to gain education, enter training, and generate an income. When disasters strike communities, Convoy of Hope provides humanitarian relief. 

Since their inception, Convoy of Hope has provided critical relief and support to millions of individuals affected by hunger, poverty, and disasters. For example, to date, they have distributed over 582,863,008 meals to people in need. Through their Children’s Feeding program, they are feeding over 465,000 children daily. Regarding emergency relief, the team has responded to over 552 disasters in the US and worldwide. 

You can donate to Convoy of Hope directly through their official website. Additionally, you can volunteer to pack and sort goods, drive a relief vehicle, or build a kit, providing families with the hygiene products needed in times of disaster. 

The Salvation Army: Spiritual and Physical Assistance to the Vulnerable

The Salvation Army was founded in 1865 by William and Catherine Booth as a means of helping the suffering souls throughout London who were not willing to attend—or even be welcomed into—a traditional church. Today, they are a Christian organization working in over 100 countries, offering spiritual healing and physical assistance to people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. 

The Salvation Army holds a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator. They also hold a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. 

“The Salvation Army meets human need wherever, whenever, and however we can.”

The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army provides assistance to the vulnerable, focusing on meeting spiritual and physical needs. They do this via numerous programs, including Disaster Relief, Rent and Utility Assistance, Food Pantries, Homeless Shelters, Services for the Aging, Rehabilitation, and Spiritual Healing. They also support LGBTQ+ communities, human trafficking victims, and people subjected to domestic abuse. 

Since their inception, The Salvation Army has positively impacted the lives of millions, providing shelter, food, and rehabilitation services to individuals experiencing homelessness and addiction. They assist approximately 25 million Americans annually. For example, in 2022 alone, they served over 171 million meals, offered 7,779,900 nights of shelter, and provided financial assistance to 3,870,131 people in need. Their work in 2022 also helped 2,306 human-trafficking survivors. 

You can donate to The Salvation Army directly through their official website, where you can make monetary donations as well as donate goods or even a vehicle. Additionally, you can volunteer to assist at a shelter, organize food drives, or ring bells at a Red Kettle. 

World Relief: Serve the Most Vulnerable 

World Relief was founded in 1944—just a year before World War II’s end—by the National Association of Evangelicals to respond to the urgent humanitarian needs of war-torn Europe. Today, they operate as an international Christian organization, partnering with churches and communities to empower the vulnerable and address various global challenges.

World Relief holds a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator. They also hold a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. 

“Together we’re creating change that lasts—today, tomorrow and for generations to come.”

World Relief

World Relief strives to fight poverty, violence, and injustice around the world. They do this by tackling extreme poverty with programs targeting health and nutrition, water and sanitation, child development, education, agriculture, and savings. They also support communities living under the threat of violence, oppression, and discrimination as well as refugees, immigrants, and people displaced by political conflicts or natural disasters. 

Since their inception, World Relief has transformed the lives of numerous vulnerable people economically, socially, and spiritually. For example, their SCOPE project currently serves over 3.8 million women and children in 9 countries. To date, they have empowered more than 90,000 individuals to live productive, meaningful lives via their microfinance programs. Additionally, they have worked to resettle over 300,000 refugees from more than 80 nations.

You can make monetary donations to World Relief directly through their official website. You can also volunteer or donate your day, your race, or your event. 

HOPE International: Invest in Dreams 

HOPE International was founded in 1997 by Jeff Rutt to alleviate poverty in post-Soviet Ukraine by promoting economic independence and development. Today, they operate as a Christian microfinance organization in various countries, partnering with local churches and organizations to empower underserved individuals and communities through financial services and training.

HOPE International holds a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator. They also hold a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. 

“We invest in the dreams of families in the world’s underserved communities as we proclaim and live the Gospel.”

HOPE International

HOPE International provides financial support for underserved communities in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and Latin America. They do this via savings group programs, which enable individuals to save their money together in partnership with a local church. They set up microfinance institutions that work like banks designated to lending and providing financial services for impoverished men and women. Additionally, they offer biblically-based training in financial literacy and discipleship, empowering individuals to manage their finances and grow spiritually. 

Since their inception, HOPE International has served millions of families, assisting them financially. For example, the HOPE International network has so far invested over $1.5 billion in the dreams of entrepreneurs, financially supported 2.6 million families, and equipped over 9,600 local churches with the savings group ministry. In 2019 alone, they have served 1,041,139 clients and helped their clients save $42,608,859. 

You can make one-time or monthly donations to HOPE International directly through their official website. You can also give non-cash gifts such as stocks or vehicles. 

Samaritan’s Purse: Physical and Spiritual Aid to Hurting People

Samaritan’s Purse was founded in 1970 by Bob Pierce, also the founder of World Vision, to meet emergency needs in crisis areas. Today, they are a globally recognized Christian organization with operations spanning across several continents. 

Samaritan’s Purse holds a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator. They also hold a Bronze Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. 

“To suffering people in a broken world, we share the news of the only One who can bring true peace—Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace.”

Samaritan’s Purse 

Samaritan’s Purse helps address the needs of vulnerable communities. They do this by providing international emergency relief in the form of food, clean water, medical assistance, daily supplies, and shelter during crises. They also offer medical missions, disaster response, children’s physical and emotional health programs, and a marital healing program for military couples and families. 

Since their inception, Samaritan’s Purse has provided critical relief and support to millions of individuals affected by disasters, conflicts, and poverty. For example, in 2019, they treated Ebola patients in the Democratic Republic of Congo, provided aid to cyclone survivors in Mozambique, and provided care in Colombia for Venezuelan migrants escaping severe food shortages, a broken economy, and a collapsing healthcare system. Within the US, they have helped more than 43,000 families through disaster responses in 37 states since 1998 via the US Disaster Relief program. Furthermore, they have distributed shoebox gifts to 168 million children through their Operation Christmas Child. 

You can donate to Samaritan’s Purse directly through their official website. Additionally, you can participate in fundraising campaigns or volunteer for specific projects and initiatives, such as World Medical Mission or US Disaster Relief. 

Children’s Hunger Fund: Food Delivered to Children in Need 

Children’s Hunger Fund was founded in 1991 by Dave Phillips as a Christian organization committed to fighting hunger and poverty. Today, they are a leading force in delivering food and other resources to impoverished communities.

Children’s Hunger Fund holds a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator. They also hold a Silver Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. 

“Our mission is to deliver hope to suffering children.”

Children’s Hunger Fund

Children’s Hunger Fund helps deliver food and the message of the gospel to children and families in need around the world. They do this initially via their Food Pak project, which distributes food packages containing nutritious meals to families in need through a network of churches and ministries. Additionally, they run a Coin Pak project, encouraging children to collect coins to help other children in need. Through their Poverty Encounter operation, guests can learn about the daily challenges met by children living in poverty and help make a difference by preparing food and resources for children in need. 

Since their inception, Children’s Hunger Fund has provided millions of food packages to families worldwide, ensuring that children and their families have access to nutritious meals. For example, in 2021, they delivered 125,907,603 meals in the US and 29 countries internationally. To date, over 20,000 visitors have toured Poverty Encounter, witnessing victims of poverty up close and providing hands-on services. 

You can donate to Children’s Hunger Fund directly through their official website or help purchase the food Children’s Hunger Fund uses in their meals for children and families facing food insecurity. They also have a matching gift program where you can double your donation with your employer’s sponsorship. 

Cross International: Help Kids Thrive 

Cross International was cofounded in 2001 by Jim Cavnar and a small group of colleagues with the aim of providing aid to the poor in developing countries. Today, they operate globally as a Christian nonprofit organization, partnering with various churches and organizations to implement impactful programs. 

Cross International holds a 3-star rating from Charity Navigator. They also hold a Bronze Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. 

“We empower the Body of Christ to transform the poor and their communities, physically and spiritually for the glory of Jesus Christ.”

Cross International 

Cross International works to transform people experiencing poverty as well as their communities, both physically and spiritually. They do this by providing food, building water wells and sanitation facilities, enabling access to medical care, supporting education initiatives, and building and improving houses to bring about safe shelter for children and their families. They also offer assistance to vulnerable children, support to emerging entrepreneurs and small business owners, and immediate aid and long-term recovery to disaster victims. 

Since their inception, Cross International has provided aid to thousands of individuals in underserved communities. For example, in the fiscal year 2022, they ran 51 projects with 31 partners in 14 countries, helping around 100,000 adults and children. Specifically, 18,246 children and adults received life-saving food, 11,049 people received clean water, and 4,346 people benefited from small business loans via their programs in 2022 alone. Regarding medical care, there were 560,495 bottles of pharmaceuticals and medicines distributed by Cross International in the year 2022. 

You can donate to Cross International directly through their official website. They also have a matching gift program where you can double your donation with your employer’s sponsorship. 

How Can You Select the Best Charities to Support?

The charities on the list are, we deem, the best Christian charities. However, you may have a particular charity you want to support. Let’s look at what you can do to ensure your contribution has the most significant impact.

• Check out the charity website. Charities that are worthy of your donations are transparent in their mission and their figures. Familiarize yourself with their history, mission, and values. Their website usually is the best place to start.
• Identify the charity’s mission. Without a goal, the charity is likely to fail. If the charity’s mission isn’t clear, it’s probably worth looking for a charity that does have a clear mission. 
• Check if the charity has measurable goals. An effective charity has clear goals. You want to know your donation will help the charity reach its goals. But if it doesn’t have targets, it’s likely to fail or squander your gift. The charity should be able to account for its spending and supply evidence of the work they do.
• Assess the successes or goals the charity has achieved. You wouldn’t invest in a business if it kept missing its targets. In the same way, charities are like this too. If no one is assessing a charity’s progress in reaching its targets, the chances are they’re not making a substantial positive change.
• Check the charity’s financials and stats. Trustworthy organizations will publish financial statements and reports each year. Some might be exempt from having to do so, but they should be able to provide them to public members who are interested in donating.
• Locate sources who work with or benefit from the charity. Word of mouth and first-hand experience of a charity’s work lets you know the charity’s quality. If you’re able to do so, check out the charity for yourself or speak to someone familiar with it. This way, your donation will go to the right place. 

How Can You Best Support These Charities?

After you’ve made your decision, it’s time for you to decide on how you’d like to help the charities you’ve chosen. Check how you can help – each charity runs specific programs that have unique aims. Find out what the aim of such programs is and whether they are right for you. 

Here are a few ways you can help your chosen charity:

• Donate money. You can find donation pages on the website of most charities. Your donation can be a one-time payment, or you can set it to be deducted regularly at different intervals. You can mostly pay via credit card, but some charities also take PayPal or Bitcoin payments.
• Buy their official merchandise. Charities can also raise money by selling merchandise. So, you can support them by buying the mugs, shirts, caps, pens, pencils, and any other such items they may be selling. Ideally, you should buy as much as you can to share and spread the word about the charity’s activities.
• Engage in volunteer work. As you’ve seen from our descriptions above, some charities engage in a lot of local and grassroots programs. You can help by taking on and organizing the program in your local area.
• Help their fundraising efforts. You can spread the word about the charity in your workplace, school, church, etc., and hold creative fundraising drives on social media or offline within your small circles.
• Share their stories. Most charities have compelling stories that you can share with your audience to attract more people to the cause.

Final Thoughts

Now it is up to you to select the charity that resonates most with you. And whichever charity you end up choosing and contributing to, we are sure that they will immensely appreciate your support. Hopefully, the information within this article has made this selection process a bit easier for you to support the best Christian charities—based on the causes that matter most to you.

Stay impactful,

PS: Finally, I want to leave you with a thought-provoking TED talk from Dan Pallotta, a leading philanthropic activist and fundraiser, about what is wrong with the way we think about charities—and what we can do about it:

Sources

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• The Salvation Army: Rehabilitation
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• The Salvation Army: LGBTQ+ communities
• The Salvation Army: Anti-Human Trafficking Initiatives
• The Salvation Army: Help for Domestic Abuse
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• YouTube: The way we think about charity is dead wrong | TED