named programs · 2 · from sources
What they call their work
International Fellowship Tour
Optional domestic U.S. tour program for exchange students, organized and coordinated by International Fellowship staff.
Secondary School Exchange Program
Facilitates 6-month, 10-month, and 12-month exchange opportunities for international secondary school students to live with U.S. host families and attend American high schools.
activities · 3 groups
What they do
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High School Exchange Programs 2 activities
- Operating secondary school exchange programs with host family placementProvides long-term and short-term secondary school exchange programs that place international high school students with screened host families in the United States, offering cultural immersion and educational opportunities. The organization has facilitated over 25,000 student placements globally since 1952.
- Providing visa, travel, and enrollment logistics supportArranges visa documentation, domestic and international air transportation, and detailed travel itineraries for exchange students. Also secures official approval for student enrollment in U.S. high schools and coordinates optional educational tours with proper authorization.
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Residential Camp Health & Safety Services 1 activity
- Ensuring student safety and emergency responseProvides comprehensive health and accident insurance for students, maintains 24-hour emergency assistance via a toll-free line staffed by qualified personnel, and enforces strict travel policies requiring advance authorization, parental permissions, and approved adult chaperones for all overnight and international trips.
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Uncategorized 2 activities
- Conducting application and screening processes for students and host familiesManages comprehensive application and screening procedures for both international exchange students and U.S. host families, including background checks for adults in host households and evaluation of compatibility based on shared interests and program requirements.
- Delivering pre- and post-arrival orientation and ongoing program supportConducts pre- and post-arrival orientations for students and host families, provides monthly check-ins, and offers continuous support through Area Directors and national office staff. Monitors student placements via written reports and regular contact with students, schools, and host families.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$526K
Contributions & grants$00%
Program service revenue$499K95%
Investment income$6100%
Other revenue$27K
expenses
Total expenses$563K
Program expenses24%
Admin / overhead76%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$265K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$604K
Cash$121K
Investments$0
Liabilities$139K
Net assets$465K
Liquid reserves2.6 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +23.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 3
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KAREN ZENT | V. PRESIDENT | 40 | $64K |
| NORMAN ZENT | PRESIDENT | 40 | $64K |
| SARA ZENT | DIRECTOR | 40 | $30K |
relationships · 9
Who they work with
- Christian schools Partner — Collaborates with Christian schools to place exchange students.
- Council on Standards for International Educational Travel Government — Organization that granted full listing to International Fellowship based on compliance with international educational travel standards.
- Foreign Representatives Partner — In-country nationals who screen host families and support students abroad.
- I.F. Local Representative Partner — Local representative supports student placement, orientation, and ongoing guidance during the exchange program.
- Placement Directors Partner — Collaborates with Placement Directors to secure host families and schools for students
- Secondary schools that share their philosophy Partner — Collaborates with secondary schools aligned with its mission to host exchange students.
- Triplains High School USD 275 Partner — Collaborates with host families and International Fellowship to support exchange students in school and community settings.
- Westfield Office Government — Administrative office responsible for approving student travel and receiving required documentation
- secondary schools Partner — Collaborates with secondary schools domestically and internationally that support the organization's philosophy of promoting understanding through exchange.
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Cultural Ambassador Modelmethodology: cultural_exchange_ambassadorsBy positioning exchange students as cultural ambassadors, the organization fosters mutual understanding and long-term global impact, because personal relationships and cross-cultural representation during adolescence can shift attitudes and promote peace.
- Relationship-Driven Cross-Cultural Understandingmethodology: knowledge_and_friendshipBy building personal relationships between students, host families, and communities, the organization generates goodwill and global awareness, because direct human connection and shared knowledge are more effective than abstract education in transforming perspectives.
- Values-Based Immersion Through Host Family Integrationmethodology: values-based_exchange_programmingBy embedding students in host families and local communities with minimal disruptive travel, the organization promotes deep cultural and moral engagement, because sustained, values-driven immersion fosters ethical development and authentic cross-cultural understanding.