Lutheran Immigration & Refugee Service
Global Refuge, formerly known as Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland. Founded in 1939, the organization has provided welcome and hope to more than 750,000 refugees over its 85-year history. The organization operates with approximately 628 employees and is driven by a belief in human dignity and the intrinsic value of every individual.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$111.9M
+3.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$202.3M
+24.4% YoY
Grant Count
50
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$4.0M
+24.4% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization's mission is to transform lives and empower New Americans with support and resources to begin anew. Global Refuge serves refugees and immigrants, particularly those most in need, drawing on its own deep immigrant roots and commitment to welcoming newcomers.
Primary funding focus areas include:
- Nonprofit human services
- Human and social service grants
- Poverty alleviation
- Refugee services
- Justice and rights
- Disaster relief
- Cultural and ethnic centers
Grantmaking
The organization's grantmaking focuses on Education, Human Services, and Health Care. Typical award amounts range from $6,375 to $50,821,976. The organization reported total giving of $213,729,293 in its most recent filing.
Ready to take the next step with Lutheran Immigration & Refugee Service?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization's grant-making priorities are primarily in California, Virginia, and Texas. However, Global Refuge operates nationally across the United States.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets: $111,893,746 (most recent filing)
Total Giving: $213,729,293
Revenue: $233 million (2023)
Expenses: $230 million (2023)
Total Assets: $108 million (2023)
Total Liabilities: $45.2 million (2023)
The organization has maintained tax-exempt status since February 1972 and holds a 501(c)(3) designation. It maintains affiliations with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $111,893,746 | $107,666,854 | $91,196,974 |
| Revenue | $304,296,156 | $232,828,680 | $207,097,711 |
| Expenses | $302,202,707 | $230,219,977 | $186,346,164 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $2,474,486 | $2,095,858 | $712,925 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
235 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Krish O'Mara Vignarajah serves as President and CEO.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BRYN PARCHMAN | CHAIR | 3 | — |
| MICHELE SPEAKS | SECRETARY | 3 | — |
| DENNIS WIECKERT | TREASURER | 3 | — |
| VIRGINIA HULTQUIST | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| JOHN R MOELLER JR | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| MATUOR ALIER | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| DIANE BATCHIK | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| BISHOP PAUL ERICKSON | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| YARED HALCHE | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| CLARANCE SMITH | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| MUHSIN HASSAN | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| BISHOP SUE BRINER | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| HABIB ENAYETULLAH | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| NATHAN GLUSENKAMP | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| TAMMY JACKSON | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| REV VIRGINIA PRICE | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| F ANDREW PEPITO | CFO | 40 | $356,742 |
| KRISH O'MARA VIGNARAJAH | CEO | 40 | $699,499 |
| GERI O'DONOGHUE | VICE PRES HUMAN RESOURCES | 40 | $302,224 |
| LEE WILLIAMS | VICE PRES PROGRAMS | 40 | $356,318 |
| ANDREW STEELE | VP DEVELOPMENT AND MOBILIZ | 40 | $197,200 |
| LORIE DAVIDSON | VP FOR CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES | 40 | $205,690 |
| MARIA MASKELL | VICE PRESIDENT OF IT | 40 | $194,278 |
| ERIN TAYLOR | CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER | 40 | $229,525 |
| MEGAN BRACY | VP RESETTLEMENT & INTEGRATION SVC | 40 | $180,883 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Global Refuge has received recent grant support, including a $100,000 grant from the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) and a $25,000 award from Lutheran Church of Hope. The organization received $48,201,194 in federal funding in Fiscal Year 2026 through the Voluntary Agencies Matching Grant program.
LSI receives $10,000 matching grant to support refugeesThe organization has been actively engaged in advocacy and support efforts, including addressing concerns about the targeting of refugees and immigrants, and providing resources such as a "Vigil for the Taken" to name and remember those who have been disappeared, detained, or deported.
LSI receives $10,000 matching grant to support refugeesRelated Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Rotary Club of Columbia Patuxent
COLUMBIA, MD
Assets
$376K
Grants
1
Total Given
$12K
American Federation for Children Growth
COLUMBIA, MD
Assets
$9.4M
Grants
11
Total Given
$2.4M
Mayfield Scholastic Ltd
BALTIMORE, MD
Assets
—
Grants
1
Total Given
$38K
Baltimore Curriculum Project Inc
BALTIMORE, MD
Assets
$17.3M
Grants
6
Total Given
$2.7M
Government Employees' Benefit
HANOVER, MD
Assets
$3K
Grants
43
Total Given
$108K
Charles F and Margaret Mh Obrecht
BALTIMORE, MD
Assets
$1.2M
Grants
79
Total Given
$131K
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Lutheran Immigration & Refugee Service on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities