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Highly Trusted

India Rural Evangelical Fellowship

Park Ridge, IL

Evangelism Publishing and Distribution Education: K-12 Bible Training Medical, Dental and Health Services Education: Graduate and Seminary Bible Distribution Church: Planting Child Sponsorship Relief and Development

About India Rural Evangelical Fellowship

For decades, the rural communities of Andhra Pradesh, India, have faced the crushing realities of extreme poverty—lacking clean water, adequate medical care, nourishment, and hygiene. Families are broken, children are orphaned or trafficked, and villages are plagued by domestic abuse, alcoholism, and a pervasive sense of hopelessness. Amid this physical suffering lies an even deeper spiritual darkness, with less than 2% of the population identifying as Christian. Yet, there is a growing hunger for education, truth and hope.India Rural Evangelical Fellowship (IREF) aims to break cycles of poverty and spiritual despair by meeting their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. For over 50 years, IREF has served thousands of children and their villages.Through holistic education, Gospel outreach, and practical care, IREF provides students and villagers access to dignity, love, and the transformative power of Christ. Empowered by hope and equipped to thrive, individuals are stepping out of darkness into the light of lasting change.

What “Highly Trusted” Means

Highly Trusted reflects a ministry's commitment to operating transparently and accountably beyond Christian-specific stewardship standards alone. This ministry has been verified against fourteen of fifteen criteria of The Most Trusted Standard — demonstrating biblical financial integrity, sound governance, and a complete framework of governance policies.

What distinguishes Highly Trusted is the additional commitment to public transparency. This ministry has made its financial records, governance information, and program reporting accessible to the public, putting its operations in the open where any donor can examine them.

What We've Verified

This ministry has been verified against 14 of 15 criteria in The Most Trusted Standard.

Faith Foundation

  • Christian Statement of Faith Affirms a clear, public statement of faith aligned with historic orthodox Christian doctrine. Verified
  • Biblical Mission and Stewardship Operates with a mission explicitly grounded in Christian principles and biblical stewardship of resources entrusted to it. Verified
  • Christian Accountability Maintains accountability to recognized standards of Christian financial integrity and ministry stewardship. Verified

Financial Integrity

  • Independent Financial Review Undergoes annual independent financial audit, review, or compilation appropriate to organizational size and complexity. Verified
  • Reasonable Compensation Practices Discloses executive compensation and demonstrates compensation practices appropriate to the organization's size, scope, and sector. Verified
  • Donor Intent Honored Honors donor intent on designated and restricted gifts, ensuring contributions are used as donors directed. Verified

Governance and Leadership

  • Independent Governing Board Operates under an independent governing board with a majority of members who are not staff, related to staff, or otherwise compromised in independence. Verified
  • Documented Conflict-of-Interest Policies Maintains and follows documented conflict-of-interest policies to protect the organization and those it serves. Verified
  • No Outstanding Concerns Shows no unresolved regulatory, legal, or accountability concerns that would compromise donor trust. Verified

Transparency and Effectiveness

  • Truthful Communications Communicates truthfully and accurately in fundraising appeals, public communications, and donor reporting. Verified
  • Active Program Activity Consistent with Mission Demonstrates active program activity consistent with the organization's stated mission and purpose. Verified
  • Comprehensive Public Financial Disclosure Makes complete financial records and Form 990 (or applicable equivalent) accessible to the public through recognized third-party platforms. Verified
  • Public Governance and Program Reporting Publicly discloses board composition, key leadership, and detailed program information so donors can see how the organization is run and what it does. Verified
  • Full Suite of Governance Policies Maintains and discloses a complete framework of governance policies, including whistleblower and document-retention policies in addition to conflict-of-interest protections. Verified
  • Independent Performance Evaluation Has undergone independent evaluation of financial efficiency, program spending, and operational performance against rigorous sector benchmarks, with results confirming performance at the highest standard. Not verified at this tier

India Rural Evangelical Fellowship meets our Highly Trusted tier standards. Most Trusted ministries additionally demonstrate independently evaluated performance against sector benchmarks.