Ripple Partners with Non profits to Speed Global Relief Funds

Fintech company Ripple has announced that several leading development and humanitarian organizations – World Central Kitchen (WCK), Water.org, GiveDirectly, and Mercy Corps – are utilizing its licensed payments solution, Ripple Payments, and its U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin, Ripple USD (RLUSD), to significantly improve the speed, transparency, and impact of aid delivery and funding.

This initiative addresses the growing need for nonprofits to mobilize funds rapidly, particularly in response to urgent situations in areas with underdeveloped banking infrastructure. Ripple facilitates cross-border money transfers within seconds, available 24/7/365, bypassing traditional banking systems. Integrating RLUSD offers an efficient and transparent method for delivering aid and exploring new approaches to disaster relief and financial inclusion.

“Our partners and customers are redefining how urgent aid, sustainable development, and financial support reach those who need it most,” stated Monica Long, President of Ripple. “It’s a powerful example of what happens when innovation meets purpose, demonstrating how blockchain technology can reshape the systems behind global relief and unlock lasting impact at scale.”

World Central Kitchen and Water.org

For World Central Kitchen, an organization that mobilizes rapidly during crises, the adoption of Ripple and RLUSD represents a significant advancement in speed. WCK is employing this technology to expedite fund disbursements to local restaurants and partners, enabling payment settlements within hours rather than days, even in challenging operational environments.

“When disaster strikes, World Central Kitchen mobilizes with the urgency of now,” said Joshua Tripp, President of Innovation, World Central Kitchen. “With Ripple, we’re testing new financial technologies to settle payments in hours instead of days, even in challenging environments, allowing us to serve more communities in their most vulnerable moments.”

Similarly, Water.org, co-founded by Gary White and Matt Damon, is using the platform to accelerate and reduce the cost of financing for safe water and sanitation projects. Following a successful pilot program that involved sending funds to microfinance partners in Brazil, Mexico, and Peru, the organization plans to route all its Latin American transactions through the platform and is considering expansion into Africa and Asia.

“Through our collaboration with Ripple, we’re exploring how digital payments can help us move funds more efficiently to our local partners, unlocking capital faster so more families can access the solutions they need to survive and thrive,” commented Gary White, CEO and Co-founder of Water.org.

Stablecoin Pilots for Anticipatory Aid

Ripple is also engaged in pilot programs with organizations to test RLUSD in innovative applications, including parametric insurance for unbanked populations and anticipatory cash transfers.

Mercy Corps Ventures is currently conducting multiple such pilots in Kenya, with similar programs being planned in collaboration with GiveDirectly.

“Through our pilot in Kenya, we’re testing how stablecoins like RLUSD can move aid faster and more reliably to people facing crises,” explained Scott Onder, Chief Investment Officer at Mercy Corps. “For families waiting on emergency cash or insurance payouts, even a few hours can make a difference, and blockchain-enabled payments are helping us close that gap.”

This widespread adoption underscores the potential of stablecoins to transform the global financial ecosystem by offering a low-cost, near-instantaneous alternative to traditional remittance services. With RLUSD having achieved a market capitalization exceeding $900 million less than a year after its launch, Ripple is actively working towards its mission of fostering a more inclusive global economy.