SUNRISE, Florida — David Hayton, The Salvation Army’s Director of Development (Chief Philanthropy Officer), reveals the heart behind its mission and key initiatives. He also discussed how he became a part of The Salvation Army, a faith-driven service for those in need.
The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible and the love of God. The organization’s mission is to preach Jesus Christ’s gospel and meet human needs without discrimination.
The Salvation Army has been around for 160 years and is involved in:
- Providing support services
- Operating food banks, nurseries and community choirs to help local communities
- Engaging in various charitable works aligned with its mission to serve those in need
- Fights injustices
The Salvation Army operates in more than 130 countries, emphasizing its global reach and commitment to its service. The organization reports a worldwide membership of more than 1.7 million, including soldiers, officers and adherents called salvationists. In 2024, The Salvation Army assisted more than 27 million people, including those living in poverty, suffering from addictions or experiencing homelessness, at-risk youth, vulnerable senior citizens, disaster survivors, victims of domestic violence, human trafficking and so many more.
Modest Approach
Hayton, The Salvation Army’s Development Director, was drawn to The Salvation Army by its modest approach and principled conduct. “The reputation of formality and humility, the fact that they are always the ones that are doing the hard work in the midst of the need and they’re not obnoxious about it and they don’t celebrate it as much, even though they know how mutable they are to external standards. They respect financial ethics and all donations go straight toward program salaries,” said Hayton.
With two decades of nonprofit experience, Hayton is entering his third year with The Salvation Army, continuing a career rooted in service and ethical stewardship. The Salvation Army’s mission is built on a foundation of good works and a commitment to meeting people where they are.
How Funding Fuels Salvation Army Services
Funding is central to the organization’s ability to deliver services. The Salvation Army mostly raises funds for its projects and activities through donations and grant requests. The organization can successfully feed many families each year due to the funding. “We raise our funds for our activities from donations, requests for grants and 21% of funding comes from the government. Last year, we lost $100,500, but could plug it in with donations. We are able to feed 110 families per month with our food pantry because of the funding,” said Hayton.
The financial stability has allowed the organization to reach many of its goals this year, including maintaining support, having a full shelter each night and keeping much of the staff for decades. “We have been able to maintain steady support, being able to increase funds and not cutting back. Many staff members have been here for decades and the shelter is full every night,” Hayton stated.
Looking Ahead
In the next two years, The Salvation Army aims to broaden its reach and elevate the effectiveness of everything it currently undertakes. “The survival report has doubled in size and we have amazing individuals with amazing skill sets to help maintain what we are doing and do it better than ever before, also maintain all of our operations and hopefully expand the overnight shelter to another apartment complex and keep 94% of families successfully moving out of the homeless shelter,” Hayton stated.
Internationally, The Salvation Army’s development work spans countries worldwide, providing solutions. The charity’s international projects focus on five essentials: education, health/medical, community development, clean water and retention and self-sufficiency. It operates in the Philippines, Kenya, Tanzania, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Brazil, Rwanda and Zambia.
These efforts reflect a broader philosophy: poverty is best addressed not through temporary aid but through long-term empowerment. As Hayton explained, “We work in many countries. I had the chance to support refugees in Russia, while others are advancing girls’ education in Central Asia or teaching agricultural practices in South Africa. It’s about applying the proverb, ‘Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.’ Our goal is to help people achieve self-sufficiency and independence, while always being part of the larger conversation.”
By focusing on education, vocational training and sustainable development, volunteers aim to equip individuals with the tools to build a lasting change. The goal is not just to alleviate poverty but to dismantle its foundations. The impact of supporting individuals facing poverty is both meaningful and lasting.
– Karisma Polly
Karisma is based in Sunrise, FL, USA and focuses on Global Health and Celebs for The Borgen Project.
Image: Wikimedia Commons