Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a global humanitarian organization that partners with the U.S. federal government to deliver critical aid and development assistance in countries facing crises and challenges. Registered to receive federal awards since 2004, Mercy Corps provides a wide range of services including emergency relief, food security, economic development, health, education, and peacebuilding programs in vulnerable communities worldwide. As a non-profit organization, Mercy Corps leverages both prime and sub-awards from various federal agencies to implement multifaceted initiatives that aim to alleviate poverty, strengthen resilience, and promote long-term stability in fragile contexts.

While Mercy Corps primarily receives federal funding through grants, it has participated in some federal contract work as a subcontractor. For example, Mercy Corps has supported DAI Global LLC on a USAID contract focused on water security and resilience by contributing to analyses, training activities, and knowledge products. As a subcontractor to Save the Children on another USAID award, Mercy Corps has assisted with agriculture, natural resource management, livelihoods, and WASH programming in both development and emergency contexts. These subcontracts demonstrate Mercy Corps' technical capabilities across sectors like water, agriculture, and resilience that complement its broader portfolio of grant-funded work.

Mercy Corps' federal grant portfolio spans a diverse range of programs and geographies, with substantial funding from USAID and the State Department. Major focus areas include food security, economic recovery, WASH, protection, and resilience building in countries like Ethiopia, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Colombia. For instance, Mercy Corps implements multi-million dollar USAID Food for Peace programs in Kenya and DRC to strengthen livelihoods and improve nutrition. It also carries out emergency response activities globally, such as providing cash assistance and WASH services to conflict-affected populations in northeast Nigeria. The organization often partners with other NGOs like Save the Children, CARE, and local civil society groups to deliver comprehensive assistance. Additionally, Mercy Corps receives funding from other agencies like USDA for school feeding programs and SBA for microenterprise development support in the U.S., showcasing its ability to work across the humanitarian-development nexus both domestically and internationally.