Heifer Project International

Analysis

Heifer Project International is a registered charity in United States, based in Little Rock, AR. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in April 1999, 27 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 June 2024, Heifer Project International reported income of $149.7m and spending of $159.5m, spending 107% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from June 2020 to June 2024, income grew from $124.6m to $149.7m (+20%), an average of +4.7% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to June 2022, when income rose by 15%. Over the whole period it spent 102% of the income it received.

Among 10,317 United States charities whose main cause is overseas aid and international and that reported income, Heifer Project International sits at the 99th percentile: it is one of the largest 1% in its cause. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 99th percentile, and in the 100th percentile within AR. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include United States Association for Unhcr ($147.7m), Ciee Inc ($151.3m) and International Research and Exchanges Board Inc ($146.5m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending June 2024, revenue came from contributions and grants 98% and program service revenue 0.5% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $7.5m (4.7% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $16.9m. It paid $13.3m in professional fundraising fees. At year end it held assets of $302.1m against liabilities of $33.9m, net assets of $268.2m. It reported 314 employees.

Data notes from the register: Spending has exceeded income in each of the last three reported years, so the charity has been drawing on reserves or other funds.