What We Do
Corus unites an array of nonprofit organizations and businesses, each with specialized expertise in health, economic development, impact investing, humanitarian assistance, and technology for development. Alongside communities and local partners in fragile settings, our expert teams integrate disciplines, approaches and resources to overcome poverty and suffering for those living in the world’s toughest and most difficult circumstances across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Middle East. Our traditional and nontraditional approaches bring together the multi-dimensional, holistic solutions needed to truly achieve lasting change.
Corus features global public health leader IMA World Health, international development and aid organization Lutheran World Relief, technology for development consultancy CGA Technologies, impact investing firm Ground Up Investing, and direct-trade company Farmers Market Brands.
Health
IMA World Health spearheads Corus' health programming. In partnership with local organizations and governments, IMA World Health leads Corus in strengthening local capacities, improving access to resources and addressing the public health needs of people affected by poverty, conflict, and other hardships.
- Health systems strengthening
- Disease prevention and treatment
- Maternal and child health
- Nutrition
- WASH
- Sexual and gender-based violence
- Global health security
Rural economic development
Lutheran World Relief leads Corus' economic and agricultural livelihoods development programming. Lutheran World Relief guides Corus and local partners in helping rural communities struggling with poverty to develop productive, resilient, and stable economies.
- Market systems analysis
- Agriculture value chain strengthening
- Livelihood diversification
- Climate smart and improved agriculture practices
- Water and land management
- Enterprise capacity building
- Rural financing
Impact investing
Ground Up Investing drives Corus' investments in enterprises that help small-scale farmers capture more value from their crops. Through Ground Up Investing, Corus reinvests any profits beyond what goes to farmers and company growth into complementary development programming for local communities.
- Equity investments
- Technical assistance
- Organizational management training
- Complementary social services
- Marketing
Humanitarian Assistance
When a disaster hits – whether it’s a drought, earthquake or civil war – we work hand in hand with communities over months and years to help them recover and adjust to new realities, ensuring that they are prepared to withstand the next unexpected challenge. Corus draws on the decades of Lutheran World Relief's and IMA World Health’s experience in responding to natural disasters, public health emergencies, and humanitarian crises.
- Cash transfers and vouchers
- Non-food items and material resources
- Shelter
- WASH
- Emergency health response
- Early recovery and livelihood rehabilitation
- Disaster risk reduction
Technology for Development
With the expertise of CGA Technologies, Corus harnesses the growing accessibility of smartphones and other technologies to improve the rapidity, effectiveness and cost-efficiency of our humanitarian assistance and development programming.
- Mobile banking and cash transfers
- Mobile data collection and management
- Information sharing and education via SMS
- Digital learning platforms
- Digital administrative systems
- Geospatial satellite imagery
Cross-Cutting Themes
Corus is committed to promoting gender equity, positive youth development and resilience throughout our organizations' work. Our teams continually assess the gender constraints, youth needs, and shocks and stressors that are affecting these communities’ ability to thrive. They design programming that addresses the specific needs of women and young people and ensures communities can maintain development gains when difficult times arise.