Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is IOCC - International Orthodox Christian Charities
A: IOCC is the humanitarian aid agency of the Assembly of Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops. IOCC works in cooperation with the Orthodox Church and on behalf of Orthodox Christians. In carrying out its mission, IOCC applies the highest professional standards and renders itself fully accountable to the public and its donors.
Q: What percentage of IOCC’s expenditures goes directly to programming?
A: On average over time, since its founding in 1992, IOCC has used 92¢ of every dollar for direct program services, while investing the rest in staff and other crucial items that make those programs possible. Audited financial reports and our IRS Form 990 are available on the Financial Information page.
Q: Does IOCC accept donated items, such as clothing, furniture, and toiletries?
A: To some extent, yes. IOCC accepts gifts of supplies that meet demonstrated needs.
Our emergency kit program is one way for supporters to donate items that support IOCC’s work. Each kit is a small package of supplies that is assembled in the United States by individual supporters, parishes, or other groups. Completed kits are shipped to an address here in the US, combined with other kits to fill a shipping container, and then sent to people in need across the world. There are three basic types: school kits, health/hygiene kits, and clean-up buckets.
Our vehicle donation program is another way to donate a tangible item of value to IOCC.
IOCC also works with corporations and other organizations to provide bulk shipments of brand new products that meet strategic needs. Examples include shoes, books, medicines, and medical supplies.
If you or your company is interested in partnering with IOCC by offering donated products, please see our Corporate Giving page for more information.
Q: Where does IOCC work?
A: Our headquarters is in Baltimore, Maryland. There are also offices in other countries where we have programs. The location of the offices varies depending on needs. Since our founding in 1992, we have worked in more than 60 countries.
To see what countries IOCC is currently working in (as well as where we’ve been in the past), visit Where We Work.
Q: How do you choose projects and the people to help?
A: IOCC determines when and how it will respond based on a needs assessment that factors in such things as: severity of need, financial support, availability of IOCC and partner human and logistical resources, and expertise for a given crisis.
More details are in the Where We Work section of the website, along with the FAQs such as who receives assistance and why so many partners.
Q: Who receives assistance from IOCC?
A: Need (without discrimination of any kind), determines who receives assistance. This determination is done in conjunction with local partners and community leaders, and in coordination with other humanitarian organizations working in a given area.
Wherever we put your donor dollars to work … it’s done in close cooperation with local organizations and community leaders. The results are more effective and sustainable solutions. Local people understand the language, culture and internal dynamics of the country where your donations are helping people.
What’s more, the locals are very good at identifying those most in need, and any resources already available within country to help its citizens. Plus experience has shown that the people receiving assistance respond better to this grassroots approach – to leaders from their own community.
Examples of the people receiving assistance are in the How We Serve, and the Where We Work sections of the website.
Q: Does IOCC do refugee resettlement?
A: IOCC does not do refugee resettlement in the United States. If your parish or group is interested in learning about organizations that do, please see UNHCR’s list of US Resettlement Agencies here.
Q: What's the best way I can help?
A: One of the most helpful things supporters can do is give financially. Gifts for where it’s needed most give IOCC flexibility to respond quickly and efficiently when situations change or emergencies come up. Donations can be made at iocc.org/donate.
Q: Can I sponsor someone in need?
A: Given the high cost of sponsorship programs, IOCC does not offer this type of direct one-to-one relationship with a beneficiary. Nonetheless you can give with confidence knowing IOCC works to help people facing great need – either in response to emergencies, or long-term socioeconomic development needs. And your donations also help refugees, displaced citizens, victims of natural disasters and violence (e.g. wars and terrorism), and many others. See the six main ways you help people.
Q: How can I volunteer to go overseas?
A: Thank you for your interest in IOCC’s humanitarian and development work.
Right now, IOCC does not have a program hosting volunteers overseas, but we do have an active volunteer program in the United States. To learn about responding with an IOCC Orthodox Action Team, please visit iocc.org/actionteams.
Q: Why do you have so many partners? And how do you choose?
A: Working in cooperation (partnership) with other organizations increases our effectiveness. It also broadens the types of projects we can help fund and execute. We pool the expertise, resources and connections to help ensure your donor dollars are doing the most good.
IOCC is a member of various alliances (e.g. ACT Alliance and InterAction), and we’re part of Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD), a national network of faith-based, community-based emergency response organizations. We also partner with organizations connected to the Orthodox community in the United States or overseas.
Thank you for your interest in IOCC and the work our supporters make possible. Taking action to help ease the suffering of others is a rewarding act of compassion. We hope you’ll join us.
