Corus International

Corus International is a global non-governmental humanitarian organization headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, and Washington, D.C.

Corus International
Founded2020
TypeHumanitarian aid
Location
  • Baltimore, Maryland, US, Washington D.C.
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Daniel V. Speckhard, President and C.E.O.
Jean Hanson, Chair of the Board
Revenue
US$400 million [1]
Employees
800 (Worldwide)[2]
Websitecorusinternational.org

History

Corus International was launched on January 1, 2020, by international NGOs Lutheran World Relief and IMA World Health as a parent organization of a family of for-profit and nonprofit faith-based subsidiaries addressing global health and development. The founding of Corus followed the operational merger of Lutheran World Relief and IMA World Health in January 2019.[3]

Organizational Structure

The Corus International family includes:

  • Lutheran World Relief, an INGO that collaborates with local partners to grow inclusive and climate resilient rural economies, reduce poverty, and respond to emergencies and humanitarian crises.
  • IMA World Health, an INGO that works with local partners and governments to strengthen existing health systems, prevent and treat diseases, improve maternal and child health, promote nutrition and WASH, respond to sexual and gender-based violence, and contribute to global health security.
  • Charlie Goldsmith Associates, a U.K.-based company that develops and applies context-suitable technology to meet the needs of the world's poorest communities. CGA was acquired in late 2019.
  • Ground Up Investing LLC, an impact investing firm that makes equity investments in small rural enterprises and provides them with technical assistance to grow their business, increase farmers’ incomes, and ultimately strengthen local economies.
  • LWR Farmers Market Coffee, a direct-trade coffee producer that sources its coffee from Lutheran World Relief-supported farmers.

Core program areas

Health

Corus works with local partners and governments to build capacity and provide them with the resources to respond to the health needs of people affected by poverty, conflict and other hardships.  

  • Health systems strengthening 
  • Disease prevention and treatment
  • Maternal and child health
  • Nutrition 
  • WASH 
  • Sexual and gender-based violence response 
  • Global health security 

Rural economic development

Corus engages with local partners and enterprises to help rural communities develop productive, resilient and stable economies that benefit them. 

  • Market systems analysis
  • Agriculture value chain strengthening 
  • Livelihood diversification
  • Climate smart and improved agriculture practices 
  • Water and land management 
  • Enterprise capacity building 
  • Rural financing 

Impact investing

Ground Up Investing focuses on investing in enterprises that have the potential to help small-scale farmers capture more value from their crops. Profits beyond what goes to farmers and company growth are reinvested into complementary development programming for local communities.  

  • Equity investments 
  • Technical assistance
  • Organizational management training
  • Complementary social services
  • Marketing

Humanitarian assistance

Corus works closely with local communities when a disaster hits over months and years — whether it's a drought, earthquake or civil war — to help them recover and adjust to new realities, ensuring that they are prepared to withstand the next unexpected challenge. 

  • Cash transfers and vouchers
  • Non-food items and material resources
  • Shelter
  • WASH
  • Emergency health response
  • Early recovery and livelihood rehabilitation
  • Disaster risk reduction

Technology for Development

Technology for Development, or T4D, harnesses the growing accessibility of smartphones and other technologies to improve the speed, effectiveness and cost-efficiency of humanitarian assistance and development programming.  

  • Mobile banking and cash transfers
  • Mobile data collection and management
  • Information sharing and education via SMS
  • Digital learning platforms
  • Digital administrative systems
  • Geospatial satellite imagery

Cross-cutting themes

All programs are designed to advance communities’ gender equity, positive youth development and resilience. Assessments identify gender constraints, youth needs, and shocks and stressors that are affecting these communities’ ability to thrive. These assessments are incorporated into program design that enables the full participation of women and young people and addresses their specific needs as well as allows communities to maintain development gains when difficult times arise. 

References
  1. "New Relief Umbrella Group Combines Nonprofits, For-Profits". The NonProfit Times. Nonprofit Times Publishing Group Inc. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  2. "New Relief Umbrella Group Combines Nonprofits, For-Profits". The NonProfit Times. Nonprofit Times Publishing Group Inc. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  3. Wenger, Yvone (14 January 2019). "Baltimore's Lutheran World Relief merging with global health group, broadening reach in impoverished nations". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved 14 January 2019.
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