The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints engaged in 3,909 humanitarian projects in 188 countries in 2021. This outreach, an increase from 2020, included $906 million in expenditures and 6.8 million hours of voluntary service.
This information is included in the Church of Jesus Christ’s 2021 annual report of caring for God’s children around the world. (Also see the report in 15 other languages.)
“As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we commit to living the two great commandments: to love God and to love our neighbor (see Matthew 22:37–39),” the First Presidency wrote in the report’s introduction. “As a Church, we are blessed to have the ability, global connections, and resources to follow His admonition. … We are grateful for the selfless and faithful offerings of Church members and friends who make this possible. We invite all to join in being ‘anxiously engaged in a good cause’ as we continue to strengthen one another through service (Doctrine and Covenants 58:27).”
Additional information from the report is below.
Global Humanitarian Initiatives
- 1.74 million people helped through clean water and sanitation projects.
- Over 600,000 students served through education initiatives.
- 135 mobility projects in 57 countries and territories.
- 104 food security projects worldwide.
In all projects, collaboration was key. To provide support for those in need, the Church worked with many organizations, including Concern Worldwide, Catholic Relief Services, UNICEF USA, Water For People, WaterAid, CharityVision and Lions Club International Foundation. The initiatives improved food security and clean water and sanitation systems. They also enabled better access to vision care, immunizations, wheelchair and mobility assistance, and maternal and newborn care for thousands of people worldwide.
Gateways to quality education were provided by the Church’s own Perpetual Education Fund, Benson Scholarship program, BYU–Pathway Worldwide, EnglishConnect and programs designed for refugees and displaced persons around the world.
Emergency Response
- 1 billion vaccine doses distributed.
- 80 million pounds of food donated.
- Over 105,000 individual donors at Church-sponsored blood drives.
- 199 emergency response projects in 61 countries and territories.
- 585 COVID-19 projects in 76 countries and territories.
Blood drives were a core component of the Church of Jesus Christ’s emergency response in 2021. In the United States, the Church has a long-standing relationship with the American Red Cross that dates to the late 19th century. Latter-day Saints not only make regular blood donations but also assist with scheduling and promoting drives, recruiting individuals to register, and assisting with logistical needs on the day of a drive.
“So many Church members give the gift of life by donating blood,” said American Red Cross CEO Gail McGovern. “We get 100,000 units of blood from the Church every year. There is no organization, no institution anywhere, that comes close to that. From a very personal perspective, I am in awe of your community’s commitment to faith and service.”
Missionaries, Member Volunteers and JustServe
- 58,981,916 pounds of goods recycled by Deseret Industries.
- 137,458 participants in self-reliance groups.
- 62,000 new local community volunteers registered through JustServe.
- 21,500 new JustServe volunteer projects created.
- 11,329 Welfare and Self-Reliance missionaries and long-term volunteers.
- 9,054 Deseret Industries associates served.
- 2,800 addiction recovery program meetings per week in 30 countries and in 17 languages.
- 2,500 new organizations registered on JustServe.
In addition to the Church’s organized humanitarian efforts, Latter-day Saints spent countless hours ministering in their own communities, engaging in community service projects, and more.
“We express our heartfelt gratitude to all those who have generously donated or volunteered their time and efforts to these humanitarian causes,” the 2021 report concludes. “Your service has not gone unnoticed. Many have given of their means through Church Philanthropies, and even more have given online or through their bishops. Because of your contributions of time, resources, energy, and compassion, we are able to make a difference in the lives of thousands around the world and learn from those who have been served.”
See the full report for more details.