Joshua Bennett
Catholic Charities USA is a national voluntary membership organization that provides social services to several million people across the United States each year. The organization is the official domestic relief agency of the U.S. Catholic Church and has a long history of working with parishes to support their efforts to care for the poor and vulnerable. Catholic Charities provides a range of services, including emergency food, shelter, financial assistance, counselling, and support for those facing addiction and mental health issues. The organization also plays a crucial role in responding to disasters in the United States, providing immediate humanitarian support and long-term aid to affected communities. With revenues in the billions, Catholic Charities receives funding from various sources, including the US government, diocesan churches, community donations, and investments. The organization has also endorsed certain political policies and engaged in advocacy work throughout its history.
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What You'll Learn
Catholic Charities USA: history and mission
Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) is a national voluntary membership organization for Catholic Charities agencies throughout the United States and its territories. It was founded in 1910 as the National Conference of Catholic Charities (NCCC) to serve as "the attorney for the poor". The organization changed its name to Catholic Charities USA in 1986. CCUSA is rooted in the belief that every person is made in God's image and responds to clients' economic, social, cultural, personal, and spiritual needs. It is committed to helping those in need, especially those living in poverty, reach their full potential.
CCUSA is the official domestic relief agency of the U.S. Catholic Church. It provides immediate humanitarian support and long-term aid to communities affected by disasters, such as the September 11 attacks, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the Gulf Coast oil spill, and Superstorm Sandy. CCUSA also works to reduce homelessness in the United States, managing shelters like the Dorothy Day homeless shelter in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
In addition to disaster relief and homelessness initiatives, CCUSA offers a range of other services, including emergency food, shelter, direct financial assistance, counseling, and support for mental health, addiction recovery, and case management. CCUSA agencies are among the nation's largest providers of safe and affordable housing, with more than 38,000 permanent units. They also provide healthy food options through food banks, schools, and community dining settings.
CCUSA has a long history of advocacy and social justice work. During the 2012 debate over the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, CCUSA supported the Obama administration's efforts to address religious objections. It has also endorsed the DREAM Act and the administration's deferral of action against younger immigrants.
CCUSA is governed by a Board of Trustees, many of whom also lead local Catholic Charities agencies. The organization's current president and CEO, Kerry Alys Robinson, assumed her role in 2023, succeeding Sister Donna Markham, who was the first woman to lead the organization from 2015 to 2023.
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US government funding and Supreme Court rulings
Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) is the national voluntary membership organization for Catholic Charities agencies throughout the United States and its territories. It is a member of Caritas Internationalis, an international federation of Catholic social service organizations. In 2010, Catholic Charities reported expenditures of between $4.2 billion and $4.7 billion, with $2.9 billion of that coming from the US government. CCUSA has a history of engaging with parishes and supporting their efforts to live out the Gospel, care for the poor and vulnerable, and work for justice.
CCUSA is the official domestic relief agency of the US Catholic Church, providing immediate humanitarian support and long-term aid to communities affected by disasters, both natural and human-made. It also provides critical services such as emergency food, shelter, direct financial assistance, counseling, and support. In addition to disaster relief, CCUSA offers programs that aim to improve individuals' potential in the workplace while contributing to poverty alleviation.
CCUSA has been involved in political debates throughout its history, including organizing letter-writing campaigns for New Deal legislation and advocating for various forms of public housing. The organization endorsed the DREAM Act and the Obama administration's deferral of action against younger immigrants. CCUSA also sponsors efforts to reduce homelessness in the US, in cooperation with state and local governments.
In 2025, during the Second Presidency of Donald Trump, Catholic Charities USA received a federal funding freeze due to its prioritization of immigrant affairs. This action highlights the interplay between the organization's religious and social goals and the political landscape of the country.
In June 2025, the US Supreme Court ruled in favor of a Catholic Charities chapter in Wisconsin, allowing them to secure an exemption from certain state taxes. This decision was based on the First Amendment's protections for religion and the principle of “church autonomy." The Supreme Court's conservative justices have been criticized for blurring the line between church and state in a series of rulings that side with religious entities.
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State funding and tax exemption
Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) is a national voluntary membership organisation for Catholic Charities agencies across the United States and its territories. It is the official domestic relief agency of the U.S. Catholic Church, providing humanitarian support and long-term aid to communities affected by disasters. CCUSA also provides critical services such as emergency food, shelter, direct financial assistance, counselling, and support.
CCUSA is governed by a Board of Trustees and led by President and CEO Kerry Alys Robinson. The organisation has a long history of engaging with parishes and supporting their efforts to care for the poor and vulnerable. CCUSA is also involved in political advocacy, having endorsed policies such as the DREAM Act and Obama's deferral of action against younger immigrants.
CCUSA's funding comes from various sources, including government grants, diocesan churches, community donations, and fundraising events. In 2010, Catholic Charities reported revenues of $4.7 billion, with $2.9 billion coming from the US government. The organisation also offers tax benefits to its donors, such as tax deductions for recurring gifts.
In terms of state funding and tax exemption, there has been a recent development where the Supreme Court backed Catholic Charities' push to object to certain state taxes on religious grounds. The Supreme Court's decision allowed a Catholic Charities chapter in Wisconsin to secure an exemption from specific state taxes. This ruling expands the types of religious entities entitled to tax breaks under the First Amendment's protections for religion.
Justice Clarence Thomas, a member of the court's conservative wing, further argued for a "'church autonomy' doctrine" to insulate religious institutions from taxes and government regulations. Thomas asserted that the First Amendment guarantees religious institutions the right to define their internal governance structures without state interference. This decision is part of a series of rulings by the conservative justices that have blurred the line between church and state, siding with religious entities on issues such as public funding for sectarian schools.
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Catholic Charities' political involvement
Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) is a national voluntary membership organisation for Catholic Charities agencies across the United States and its territories. It was founded in 1910 as the National Conference of Catholic Charities (NCCC) and changed its name to CCUSA in 1986. The organisation is rooted in the belief that every person is made in God's image and aims to respond to clients' economic, social, cultural, personal, and spiritual needs. CCUSA is the official domestic relief agency of the US Catholic Church and provides humanitarian support and long-term aid to communities affected by disasters.
CCUSA has a long history of political involvement and advocacy. In 1952, Pope John Paul II addressed the national conference of Catholic Charities USA in San Antonio, Texas. The organisation has also endorsed political acts, such as the DREAM Act and the Obama administration's deferral of action against younger immigrants. CCUSA sponsors efforts to reduce homelessness and manages homeless shelters in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
CCUSA's political involvement has sometimes led to controversy and legal issues. In 2025, during the second presidency of Donald Trump, CCUSA received a federal funding freeze due to its focus on immigrant affairs. Additionally, CCUSA has faced legal challenges related to state taxes, arguing for exemption from certain taxes based on religious grounds. The Supreme Court has ruled in favour of CCUSA in these cases, citing religious protections under the First Amendment.
Despite its political involvement, CCUSA, as a 501(c)(3) organisation, is prohibited by law from participating or intervening in political campaigns on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate. This ban was created by Congress and enforced by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), which reminds 501(c)(3) organisations of the prohibition during each election cycle. However, CCUSA can engage in limited lobbying and advocate for or against issues in the political arena without supporting specific candidates.
CCUSA has a significant impact on US politics and policy, with revenues of $4.7 billion in 2010, $2.9 billion of which came from the US government. The organisation's political activities and endorsements reflect its commitment to social justice and serving the vulnerable and impoverished.
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Catholic Charities' work in communities
Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) is a national voluntary membership organisation for Catholic Charities agencies throughout the United States and its territories. It was founded in 1910 as the National Conference of Catholic Charities (NCCC) and changed its name to Catholic Charities USA in 1986. CCUSA is a member of Caritas Internationalis, an international federation of Catholic social service organisations.
CCUSA supports a national network of agencies committed to helping those in need, regardless of their faith. It responds to clients' economic, social, cultural, personal, and spiritual needs, from conception to natural death. The organisation offers strategies to improve individuals' potential in the workplace while contributing to the alleviation of poverty. Social enterprise business models build community alliances and healthy communities, and workforce development programs encourage innovation and job growth.
Catholic Charities agencies are among the largest providers of safe, decent, and affordable housing in the nation. They offer more than 38,000 permanent housing units for families, seniors, veterans, and others, as well as temporary and emergency housing. They also provide healthy food options for those at risk of hunger through various channels, including food banks, schools, daycare centres, and community farms.
CCUSA is also the official domestic relief agency of the US Catholic Church. It provides immediate humanitarian support and long-term aid to rebuild lives and restore hope in communities affected by disasters, both natural and human-made. Catholic Charities has responded to various disasters, including the September 11 attacks, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the Gulf Coast oil spill, and Superstorm Sandy.
In terms of funding, Catholic Charities received approximately $4.7 billion in revenues in 2010, with $2.9 billion coming from the US government. The organisation also receives donations from diocesan churches, community donations, investments, program fees, and other sources.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, in 2010, Catholic Charities received $2.9 billion from the US government, out of its total revenue of $4.7 billion.
Catholic Charities USA is the national voluntary membership organization for Catholic Charities agencies throughout the United States and its territories. It is a member of Caritas Internationalis, an international federation of Catholic social service organizations. Catholic Charities provides social services such as emergency food, shelter, direct financial assistance, counselling, and support.
Yes, individual states also donate to Catholic Charities. For example, in 2017, the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington raised $2.4 million through a fundraising gala. In 1995, Catholic Charities of Boston accepted state funds to support their adoption services program.
