International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC), in the spirit of Christ's love, offers emergency relief and development programs to those in need worldwide, without discrimination, and strengthens the capacity of the Orthodox Church to so respond. (IOCC) was established in March 1992 and serves as the official international humanitarian organization of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops
of North and Central America. The Board of Directors is comprised of Orthodox Christian clergy and laity who have volunteered themselves for this role and have been approved by the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America. The Board of Directors governs the policies and operations of IOCC and oversees stewardship of the organization's resources. Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops
A professional staff, managed by the Executive Director, answers to the Board of Directors and exists to identify the needs, develop plans, manage operations and provide accountability. From its headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland, the IOCC staff supervises the overseas operations, tracks grants, ensures reporting to donors, and guides programs to foster greater awareness and support for IOCC. In seeking to provide assistance to the poor, either in response to emergencies or long term socio-economic development needs, IOCC’s fundamental policy is to develop a sustainable indigenous capacity to carry out such programs. All programs are guided by the two goals of program integrity and the highest standards of stewardship to donors. Overseas offices are established by IOCC when, and if, the Orthodox hierarchy of the country in question have made a request; if there is a need to use IOCC skills to enhance the capacity of the Church and other institutions to reach the poor more effectively; and if the scale of the program requires an on-site presence to monitor targeting of beneficiaries, program implementation and reporting. In an effort to mobilize all Orthodox Christians to its efforts to bring assistance to the poor throughout the world, IOCC has adopted a grassroots approach. Metropolitan Committees are, or will be, established in cities throughout the United States and Canada. Through these committees, parishioners are offered the chance to assist those in need and to engage their fellow parishioners and local communities in support of humanitarian assistance programs. In order to diversify its resource base, IOCC funds programs and co-funds activities through use of its own resources and seeks matching grants. It depends primarily on donations from Orthodox Christians and then seeks out additional funding partners through other Churches in the ecumenical movement, foundations, governments, corporations, and international multi-lateral agencies. IOCC maintains relationships with other institutions so that Orthodox Christian humanitarian concerns and initiatives are appropriately represented. IOCC is registered with the U.S. Agency for International Development and is eligible to receive funds for foreign assistance from the U.S. It is a member of the ACT Alliance, a global coalition of churches and relief agencies engaged in development, humanitarian assistance and advocacy, and InterAction, a coalition of U.S. based non-governmental organizations that carry out humanitarian assistance programs overseas. As a member, IOCC is bound by the InterAction code of professional ethics. IOCC is active in ecumenical initiatives both with the National Council of the Churches of Christ and with the World Council of Churches and the ACT Alliance.
