Annual reports

Annual Report 2008

mborum — 2009-06-15T18:30:38Z

These are difficult times, but we have a vision of what's possible. During the past several years, we've been scaling up. We continue to invest in individual projects—drilling wells, planting mangroves—but increasingly we weigh the value of our efforts in terms of how they contribute to long-term systemic changes.

On the following pages, we offer you the opportunity to look at a handful of our individual projects and the people behind them, because talking in the abstract about scale can't capture what makes us optimistic in these troubled times. And that is? Potential—the potential of millions of poor men and women to overcome poverty and our own potential to foster sweeping change over the long haul.

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Annual Report 2007

michael — 2009-06-15T18:31:06Z

Oxfam America's financial results for 2007 continued to build upon the successes of prior years and have positioned us well for future growth of our program activities and fulfillment of our mission. In 2007, unrestricted contributions grew 15 percent to $36.5 million from $31.7 million in 2006. Notable restricted contributions in 2007 include $7.4 million related to our work in the US Gulf Coast and $14.7 million for the Campaign for Oxfam America. Through the end of fiscal year 2007, we have recorded over $31.2 million in contributions directly attributable to the Campaign for Oxfam America.

Total net assets grew by $9.9 million in 2007 primarily as a result of $8.0 million of Campaign for Oxfam America contributions received for expenditure in future years, $5.3 million of Gulf Coast relief and rehabilitation program contributions, and increases in unrestricted net assets of $4.3 million. These increases were offset by a net expenditure in 2007 of $7.6 million in humanitarian funds raised in prior years.

Total expenses in 2007 grew by $5.6 million, or 11 percent, when compared with 2006. Program services-related expenses grew $5.0 million, of which $4.6 million was related to regional development programs and $1.4 million was related to increases in our policy and advocacy programs. The program-related increases were offset by a $1 million decrease in humanitarian related expenses, reflecting the net effect of the winding down of our South Asia tsunami relief program. For the year, program-related expenses represented 80 percent of our total expenses.

In 2007, support services grew 6 percent as we continued to make a number of strategic investments in key areas. Over the last two years, we have invested over $2 million in a number of technologies, including connectivity between regional and US-based offices to improve both the effectiveness and efficiency of our work as well as to help reduce our carbon footprint. In 2007, we also made strategic investments in our human resource function and implemented a new constituent relationship management system that will improve outreach to our supporters and donors.

Our strategy of investing first in programs and second in critical support services while ensuring financial stability, continues to receive the endorsement of independent rating agencies. More important, our continued growth in contributions and in the number of supporters represents our most important endorsement—that of our donors.

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Annual Report 2006

michael — 2009-06-09T19:22:57Z

Oxfam America's 2006 financial results reflect the growing confidence of donors and partners in our approach to development, humanitarian work, advocacy, and public education. Excluding the influx of tsunami-related contributions of $30 million in 2005, total revenues for Oxfam America and the Oxfam America Advocacy Fund increased 37 percent this past year—from $49 million in 2005 to $67 million in 2006. Many of those donors who gave to Oxfam America for the first time in 2005 as a result of December 2004’s devastating tsunami have continued to support our programs in 2006. Whether you are a new donor, a returning tsunami donor, or a long-term supporter, we at Oxfam deeply appreciate your confidence and support.

Much of the growth in revenues and net assets in 2006 was the result of multiyear contributions in support of our programs. In addition, the sale of our Boston headquarters resulted in a one-time increase of $4.5 million to net unrestricted assets. We relocated from our former building to new leased office space late in 2006.

During 2006, we continued our investment across all of our program areas. Program spending, excluding our continuing humanitarian relief and rehabilitation efforts related to the 2004 tsunami, grew 20 percent, from $28.8 million in 2005 to $34.5 million in 2006. This increase included new investments in our regional development work and programs for disaster preparedness and prevention, humanitarian response and rehabilitation on the US Gulf Coast and in Africa, greater investment in program monitoring and evaluation, and engagement of corporations in development issues. In addition, we continued to expand our development work globally through programs focused on microfinance, sustainable development and livelihoods, trade equity, gender and indigenous rights, natural resource management, and stemming gender-based violence. By expanding our investment in public education, policy, and advocacy by 28 percent—from $8.6 million in 2005 to nearly $11 million in 2006—we strengthened our role as a leading voice advocating for people living in poverty.

Oxfam works hard to keep the confidence of our donors and partners, acting as good stewards of the generosity of our contributors. In addition to the restricted funds we retained to fund multiyear programs, we recorded an increase to unrestricted net assets from operations of $3.1 million. These assets will be used for future investments required to meet our program goals and to ensure that adequate reserves are available to meet unexpected program service needs.

Annual Report 2005

mborum — 2009-06-01T23:23:13Z

Oxfam America revenues for 2005 set a record at just over $79 million. This represents tremendous growth both in revenues—a $39 million increase over revenues from 2004—and in numbers of people like you who make up the Oxfam family.

Much of our growth in 2005 was a result of the tsunami, which garnered more than 100,000 first-time donors and more than $30 million in tsunami-related donations. Oxfam America pooled two-thirds of these funds with resources from other Oxfam affiliates into an Oxfam International Tsunami Fund to support our coordinated rehabilitation effort. We expect to spend the remainder of the funds on our rebuilding work over the next three years.

Beyond the tsunami, this was a record year for growth in other categories as well. Regional programs grew from $13 million to nearly $17 million. This allowed for new and expanded programming, including our robust new microfinance efforts, an increased presence in the Horn of Africa, and the launch of an HIV/AIDS program in southern Africa. Public education and policy and advocacy grew by a combined total of $3.5 million.

Annual Report 2004

mborum — 2009-04-09T21:12:41Z

Oxfam America revenues for 2004 totaled just over $30 million. We thank the more than 170,000 donors who remain steadfastly committed to our mission, and we welcome the tens of thousands of new donors who contributed funds exceeding $30 million in response to the tsunami.

In 2004, in addition to investing directly in our programs, we made strategic administrative investments to enhance our effectiveness, including improved financial management and staff development systems. We also established the Oxfam America Advocacy Fund to conduct advocacy activities that Oxfam America cannot pursue because of IRS limitations.