World Vision, an international Christian humanitarian organization, does not hide its employment policy. To work for the billion-dollar charity, except on a temporary basis, one must be a Christian. This religious-based hiring preference has drawn complaints in light of the fact that World Vision received three-quarters of a billion dollars over three years from the U.S. Agency for International Development

(USAID), the federal government’s foreign aid arm.

In 2006, World Vision was given $261 million in taxpayer dollars; the following year, $220 million; and in 2008, $281 million. The organization has not yet released it financial review for 2009 or 2010.

The organization’s work has been praised by charity watchdogs and recipients of World Vision’s efforts in Africa, both Christian and Muslim.

But the group says it is impossible to separate their mission from belief in a Christian god. “We do want to be witnesses to Jesus Christ by life, word, deed and sign,” said Torrey Olsen, World Vision’s Senior Director for Christian Engagement. This has called into question the relatively recent practice of awarding federal funds to organizations that discriminate based on religion.

-Noel Brinkerhoff