Sarah Mitchell
Catholic Social Services (CSS) is a Catholic humanitarian organisation that provides social services to those in need. CSS offers a range of services, including housing and food support, youth services, senior care, and assistance for individuals with disabilities. While it is unclear exactly how CSS is funded, Catholic charities in the United States are funded through donations, fundraising events, and government contracts. Catholic Charities USA, for example, reported expenditures of between $4.2 billion and $4.4 billion in 2010. Additionally, the federal government provided over $1.5 billion to Catholic organisations over a two-year period.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Catholic Social Services' funding sources | Donations, fundraising, and government funding |
| Catholic Charities USA's funding sources | Donations, fundraising, and government funding |
| Catholic Charities USA's expenditures in 2010 | Between $4.2 billion and $4.4 billion |
| Federal funding received by Catholic organizations over a two-year period | More than $1.5 billion |
| Tax benefits for donors | Tax deductions for donations to Catholic charities |
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What You'll Learn
Catholic Charities USA
In 2010, Catholic Charities USA reported expenditures of between $4.2 billion and $4.4 billion, according to the Chronicle of Philanthropy. This placed them near the top of the publication's list of the 400 biggest charities in the United States, behind two major social-services charities: the United Way and the Salvation Army.
In 2025, Catholic Charities agencies across the US were affected by a federal aid funding freeze enacted by the Trump administration. This resulted in layoffs and the suspension of programs, particularly those serving migrants and refugees. Catholic Charities agencies issued an "urgent call for support" and appealed to donors to compensate for the funding freeze.
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Fundraising and donations
Catholic Social Services (CSS) is a private group and is the area's largest social service provider. It provides a network of social service programs, family service centers, senior centers, and community centers for people in need. It also provides foster and kinship care services to children between birth and 21 years of age who need temporary substitute care.
CSS is funded through donations and fundraising. The organization believes that every person is made in God's image and responds to clients' economic, social, cultural, personal, and spiritual needs. CSS accepts donations in the form of recurring gifts, property, or real estate.
Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA), a national voluntary membership organization for Catholic Charities agencies, is another example of a Catholic social service organization. CCUSA is a member of Caritas Internationalis, an international federation of Catholic social service organizations. CCUSA also raises funds through its annual CCUSA Volunteer of the Year Award, which recognizes outstanding volunteers from a pool of nearly 300,000 candidates across the country.
In addition to private donations, Catholic social services also receive indirect funding from the government through tax exemptions for churches and charities. This enables religious groups to devote more funds to charitable work, and taxpayers can deduct their donations to Catholic charities. Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington holds a fundraising gala every year and raised $2.4 million in 2017.
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Government funding
Catholic Social Services (CSS) is a significant provider of social services in the US, with a particular focus on housing and homelessness, food insecurity, services for at-risk youth, senior citizens, individuals with disabilities, families, single parents, immigrants, and refugees. While CSS is primarily funded through donations and volunteers, it also receives substantial government funding.
Secondly, the government indirectly supports Catholic Social Services through tax exemptions for churches and charities. This enables Catholic groups and other religious organizations to allocate a larger proportion of their funds to charitable activities. Additionally, taxpayers who itemize their deductions can claim deductions for donations made to Catholic charities, further encouraging private donations to these organizations.
Moreover, Catholic Social Services also receives funding from state and local governments. For instance, Catholic Charities of Boston contracted with the state's Department of Social Services and received state funds to support its adoption services program. Similarly, Catholic Charities in Saint Paul, Minnesota, manages homeless shelters and provides drop-in meals and career services with the cooperation and support of local government.
The level of government funding for Catholic Social Services has, however, been subject to fluctuations. Notably, during the Second Presidency of Donald Trump, Catholic Charities USA experienced a federal funding freeze due to its focus on immigrant affairs and resettlement. This highlights how shifts in political priorities can influence the allocation of government funds to Catholic social service organizations.
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Tax exemptions
In 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favour of Catholic Charities Bureau, a Wisconsin-based Catholic charity group, in a case concerning tax exemptions for religious institutions. The Catholic Charities Bureau had sought an exemption from Wisconsin's unemployment tax, which most employers are required to pay contributions to. Under Wisconsin law, organisations operating primarily for religious purposes are exempt from paying into the program.
Catholic Charities argued that they fell within this exemption because their charity work was conducted to put Catholic principles into operation. However, the state labour commission rejected this bid, concluding that while the group's motivations were religious, their work was secular and did not attempt to imbue participants with the Catholic faith. The Wisconsin Supreme Court upheld this decision, stating that the group was not operated primarily for religious purposes and served and employed people of all faiths.
The Catholic Charities Bureau then appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, arguing that the state court's ruling violated the First Amendment by denying the exemption on the basis that the group did not proselytize or serve only Catholics. The Supreme Court unanimously ruled in favour of Catholic Charities, finding that Wisconsin had engaged in unconstitutional denominational discrimination and imposed a denominational preference by differentiating between religions based on theological differences. The Supreme Court's decision could have broader implications for tax exemptions for religious organisations in Wisconsin and beyond.
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Volunteers
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is a well-known Catholic organization that provides relief and assistance to people in need worldwide, regardless of race, religion, or nationality. CRS offers both full-time and part-time volunteer opportunities. Those interested in part-time volunteering within their diocese can contact their local diocesan director. CRS also encourages individuals to get involved with their community programs and activities, providing details on their website.
Catholic Charities, present in various regions like Chicago, DC, and the Miami Valley, offers a range of volunteer options. These include one-time opportunities for individuals or groups to help at volunteer events, as well as ongoing weekly commitments. The ongoing opportunities allow volunteers to provide administrative support, serve food in shelters, mentor, and offer pro bono professional services. Catholic Charities also welcomes volunteers with court-mandated or school-mandated community service hours, considering each case individually.
The Catholic Social Services of the Miami Valley (CSSMV) has a dedicated volunteer driving program to address transportation gaps in several counties. This program ensures that older adults, individuals with disabilities, and low-income populations can access medical and non-medical appointments and employment. CSSMV also offers short-term, seasonal, and one-time activities for families, groups, or individuals looking for service projects. These activities include landscaping, donation drives, and supporting the RideConnect volunteer driver program.
Volunteering within Catholic Social Services provides a meaningful way for individuals to live their faith and make a positive impact in their communities. Through organizations like the Catholic Volunteer Network, Catholic Relief Services, and Catholic Charities, individuals can find diverse opportunities to serve, mentor, and assist those in need. By sharing their time and skills, volunteers contribute to the mission of Catholic Social Services and create a better world.
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Frequently asked questions
Catholic Social Services (CSS) is funded through donations and volunteers. CSS is a Catholic charitable institution with a long history of providing social services such as housing and food assistance, and foster care.
Catholic churches are tax-exempt and receive government funding through social service contracts. The federal government sent more than $1.5 billion to Catholic organizations over a two-year period.
Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) is the national voluntary membership organization for Catholic Charities agencies throughout the United States and its territories. CCUSA provides critical services such as emergency food, shelter, financial assistance, and counselling.
Catholic Social Services provides a network of social service programs, family service centres, senior centres, and community centres for people in need. They help those in need with housing, food insecurity, youth services, and more.
