Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some of the most commonly asked questions we receive at Unto. If you have questions not answered here, please visit our Contact Us page and reach out to us directly.

Aid priorities are calculated based on need and ministry effectiveness. We base the provision of humanitarian aid upon a thorough assessment of the requests from our in-country partners, the needs of the beneficiaries, and the local capacities already in place to meet those needs. Human suffering must be alleviated whenever it is found. We serve people regardless of race, religion, tribal affiliation, or sex. We value independence, neutrality, and impartiality, and agree that aid and relief should never be used for coercion. We endeavor to respect the culture, structures, and customs of the communities we serve.

We do not accept governmental monies and act independently from governments so we can serve all people. Our policies and strategies do not seek to implement the policy of any government, except in so far as it coincides with our own independent policy. We specialize in going to tough places where most traditional aid agencies do not go.

Your gift is combined with all other gifts of cash and material designated to a project with approximately 95 percent going to the ministry program, three percent to fundraising, and two percent to general and administrative expenses.

This efficiency is possible because our team procures large donations of clothing, food, disposable medical supplies, and other items from like-minded organizations and corporations. Because of these donations we leverage your cash donations to result in a $4 impact for every $1 in cash given.

In addition, the majority of Unto staff members are considered “supported staff,” meaning that as a missionary staff members, they raise financial support to cover salary, benefits, and ministry expenses. Therefore, Unto has very low administrative expenses.

Each year our financial records are audited by an external firm and included in the financial report. We also are certified by the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA). Please see ECFA.org for more details on this certification.

We are the humanitarian ministry of Cru. The humanitarian programs at Unto are crucial to the strategy of equipping Cru partners as they trust God to develop multiplying disciples and establish new churches.

By enhancing the ministry of Cru partners with humanitarian assistance and coaching, Unto helps provide them with access to people groups who might otherwise be unreachable. We also help our partners build credibility in the eyes of governments and authorities. In many cases humanitarian aid is the main reason ministry is allowed to continue.

For almost 30 years Unto has leveraged strategic global partnerships and the service of dedicated volunteers to relieve suffering in more than 75 countries in order to express the Great Commandment and advance the Great Commission through humanitarian kindness. Because we work in partnership with Cru staff members who live and work in the places we serve, ministry work continues long after Unto staff members return home.

Federal Tax ID Number: 95-4578963

The toughest places are areas of the world that are physically difficult to reach due to challenging terrain or the remoteness of the area. A location is also considered a tough place if the people or authorities are not open to the message of the eternal hope of Jesus. Regardless of their level of openness, we serve to meet their physical needs first.

The church is called by God to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Scripture says we will be known as His disciples by our love (John 13:35). Jesus said the greatest commandment is to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and to love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37-39). It is through humanitarian kindness that Unto serves in the toughest places on earth because through this we become better ambassadors of Jesus. When people of God respond by serving the world, the Great Commandment meets the Great Commission.

We work primarily in undeveloped or underdeveloped countries where basic necessities are scarce or disasters create a crisis that local and national governments do not have the resources to adequately address. We also partner with Cru campus ministry and other organizations to respond to victims of natural disasters in the United States.

An arrow indicates motion — forward momentum toward the toughest places on earth. The arrow’s point represents the point of contact our field partners have with people who need to know the eternal hope of Jesus. The dark blue wedge represents how Unto does not work in the spotlight — we work in the shadow, providing our field partners with coaching and resources to allow for personal and pivotal relationships once physical needs have been met. At the intersection of two color blocks, the point additionally represents the intersection of lifesaving aid and ministry. The color blocks correspond to our three programs — blue for Clean Water, green for Food and Agriculture, and tan for Critical Aid.

Currently the logo is in the trademarking process.

Prior to 2020 Unto was named Global Aid Network® (GAiN®).