Our Motivation
At its heart, The Salvation Army is a church. This foundation is what motivates us to do the work that we do. We love God and serve others because of His love for all. That’s where our mission comes from – to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet needs in His name without discrimination. Because, we want others to come to know God’s love too. These are our marching orders.

Why an Army?
We’ve been around since 1865, originally called the East London Christian Mission. An itinerate pastor named William Booth started the organization as a grassroots effort with boots on the ground in London. He didn’t have buildings, but he did have a dedicated following who saw desperate need among the poorest of people and took to the streets to offer help. Booth referred to the organization as a volunteer army, because of the way they operated and served. As the organization grew, he used military-style rankings to describe the hierarchy of leadership. Leaders adopted a uniform apparel that mirrored military styles. Their mission was to serve others in Jesus’ name, meeting not only their physical needs, but also their spiritual needs. Booth described their work as providing “soup, soap and salvation,” eventually changing their name to The Salvation Army.

Today, the mission is the same and we’ve kept the Army structure. Our officers, or leaders, are ordained pastors.

Want to learn more about the history of The Salvation Army in the midwest? Visit our Historical Museum website.

Where We Serve
We are the United States Central Territory, which serves communities in 11 Midwestern States – Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. We’re one of four territories in the U.S. and part of an International organization, headquartered in London. The other U.S. territories are: West, South and East.

Salvation Army territories are made up of areas of service known as divisions. There are 36 divisions in the U.S. – we oversee 8 of them. Divisions consist of centers for worship and service. These are the hubs where service to members of the community actually occurs. Our doors are open to all.

The Salvation Army Mission Statement
The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

Build a Career That Has Meaning

Why Work for Us?
If you’re ready for a career doing meaningful work with a discernable impact, keep reading. The Salvation Army’s brand promise is to Do the Most Good® - and it’s our employees that help us get there. At every level and in every discipline, you can have a real impact on your community through the work done inside our walls every day. If you work for us, you will be the hands and feet that enable us to help others.

We are as impassioned about our employees as we are about our mission to help anyone in need without discrimination. Our culture reflects this quality, which makes our offices seriously great places to work. Just walk inside our doors and you’ll quickly see that our employees are proud to support programs that make a difference.

The Salvation Army’s Central U.S. presence includes 11 Midwestern states: Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. With offices in every major U.S. city and 128 countries around the globe, The Salvation Army is an efficient network of local offices that are part of a larger global effort. When you join us, you’re on a global team for good. Think of us as the Avengers of the nonprofit world.

Fair Chance Employer
The Salvation Army is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates who are back-to-work, US Veterans, people with disabilities, people who have been impacted by the justice system, and/or people without a college degree are encouraged to apply.