Mercy Ships International

Analysis

Mercy Ships International is a registered charity in United States, based in Lindale, TX. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in July 2008, 18 years ago. Its declared purposes cover international, foreign affairs and national security, which this site groups under overseas aid and international. The IRS classifies it as a publicly supported organisation (donations from the general public) under section 501(c)(3), and contributions to it are listed as tax-deductible.

In the financial year ending December 2023, Mercy Ships International reported income of $155.1m and spending of $145.7m, spending 94% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2019 to December 2023, income grew from $106.2m to $155.1m (+46%), an average of +9.9% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2021, when income rose by 92%. Over the whole period it spent 83% of the income it received.

Among 10,317 United States charities whose main cause is overseas aid and international and that reported income, Mercy Ships International sits at the 100th percentile: it is one of the largest 1% in its cause. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 100th percentile, and in the 100th percentile within TX. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include The Carter Center Inc ($153.8m), Pact Inc ($156.3m) and Ciee Inc ($151.3m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending December 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 99% and program service revenue 0.0% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $2.7m (1.9% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $28.2m. It paid $4.9m in professional fundraising fees. At year end it held assets of $252.4m against liabilities of $12.1m, net assets of $240.3m. It reported 532 employees.