Samaritan’s Purse, the Boone-based philanthropy led by Franklin Graham, says it isn’t stopping any of its “life-saving food and medical programs” because of the Trump Administration’s efforts to slow down funding for international aid.
“Less than 5% of the funding that Samaritan’s Purse received in 2024 came from government grants for international relief. These funds were used for emergency feeding programs in difficult areas of Africa including Sudan, South Sudan, DRC, and Ethiopia, with the majority being spent in Sudan and South Sudan,” Graham said in a statement.
“We did receive notification about some grants, however, we have not stopped any of these life-saving food and medical programs. It is our understanding from the State Department’s announcements that life-sustaining essential emergency supplies, such as food and medicine, are exempt, however, the details of the waiver process are not yet clear. “
Graham said he trusts Trump and other leaders “will analyze all of the information and make good decisions. Whatever the outcome, this will not change the fact that Samaritan’s Purse will continue to help people in need.”
The Boone nonprofit is one of the largest Christian nongovernmental organizations, or NGOs, to partner with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), according to MinistryWatch, a Charlotte-based online publication. It notes that USAID is “a prime target of the Trump administration’s investigation into waste, corruption and inappropriate uses of federal tax dollars.”
A waiver signed by U.S. Secretary of State (and current USAID acting director) Marco Rubio on Jan. 28 calls on “existing life-saving humanitarian assistance programs” to continue operating.
Samaritan’s Purse received USAID funds totaling more than $90 million over the past four years, according to the Brookings Institution, a Washington, D.C. thinktank. The nonprofit used the money for relief efforts such as the February 2023 earthquake in Turkey and Syria.
Samaritan’s Purse has reported annual revenue topping $1 billion and has assets of $1.8 billion, according to its most recent Form 990.
Less than 5% of the funding that Samaritan’s Purse received in 2024 came from government grants for international relief, Samaritan’s Purse Media Relations Director Mark Barber told MinistryWatch.
Business North Carolina profiled the group in its January publication.