Ethan Walker
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is a charity that has been the subject of much discussion and many reviews. It is the official international humanitarian arm of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and is operated with the blessing of the USCCB. The charity has been praised for its work in providing humanitarian aid to those fleeing violence in Ukraine and Sudan, as well as its response to natural disasters, its teaching of farmers to increase their harvest, and its promotion of good nutrition and hygiene. CRS has also been recognised for its commitment to transparency and accountability, with an A+ rating from CharityWatch. However, some have expressed concerns about the company's associations with organisations that may not align with Catholic values. Overall, Catholic Relief Services appears to be a legitimate and effective charity, but as with any organisation, it is important to do your own research before donating.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Humanitarian aid | Ukraine, Haiti, Mexico, and Laos |
| Top-rated charity | CharityWatch |
| Tax-exempt | Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code |
| Accredited | BBB Wise charity |
| Official international humanitarian arm | United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) |
| Adherence to Catholic teachings | Yes |
| Adherence to donor intent | Yes |
| Financial transparency | Yes |
| Efficiency | 93% of the money spent goes directly to programs |
| Overhead expenses | Low |
| Employees | Local folks from in-country |
| Focus | Agriculture, water and sanitation, education, emergency, microfinance, health, and peace and justice |
| Reviews | "They are legit. They do good work." |
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What You'll Learn
Catholic Relief Services' financial accountability
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian arm of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). It is operated with the blessing of the USCCB and is committed to adhering to Catholic teachings. CRS is dedicated to responding to emergencies, fighting disease and poverty, and nurturing peaceful and just societies. The organization serves Catholics in the United States, helping them live their faith in solidarity with their brothers and sisters around the world.
CRS has been providing humanitarian aid for more than 80 years, delivering emergency assistance to vulnerable populations worldwide. The organization is committed to careful stewardship of resources, ensuring that donations are used effectively and efficiently to make a difference. They maintain strict standards of efficiency, accountability, and transparency, meeting all 20 Charity Standards set by the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance and receiving an "A+" rating from CharityWatch.
CRS publishes an Annual Report, which includes financial information such as total income, expenses, and ending net assets. The organization is exempt from filing a Form 990 with the IRS due to its status as a faith-based 501(c)(3) charity, but it makes all financial information available on its website. CRS's financial statements are audited, and they have been recognized for their financial accountability by CharityWatch, which evaluates charities' governance and transparency.
In the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022, CRS incurred joint costs of $1,355,000 for informational materials and activities, including fundraising. Of these costs, $786,000 was allocated to program expenses, and $569,000 was allocated to fundraising expenses. Fundraising costs were 2% of related contributions, which totaled $1,457,602,000. CRS is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, allowing donors to deduct contributions as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.
CRS is committed to adhering to the intent of each donor's gift, ensuring that donations go where they are most needed. They have a Pledge to Donors, demonstrating their dedication to financial accountability and the proper utilization of donated funds.
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Catholic Relief Services' work in Ukraine
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. It carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. The organisation is dedicated to preserving the sacredness and dignity of human life from conception to natural death.
CRS has been providing assistance in Ukraine since the outbreak of conflict in 2014. The initial response focused on the acute humanitarian needs of displaced persons, providing food, shelter, living supplies, medical care, and counselling. In recent years, the response has evolved towards achieving self-sufficiency for those affected by the protracted conflict and displacement. CRS has worked with Caritas and other partners across Ukraine and the region to support those impacted by the war, particularly those in communities close to the front line.
Caritas Ukraine has been providing material, social, psychological, and legal assistance to Ukrainians in need for over 20 years. It focuses on four main areas: assistance to children, youth, and families; healthcare; social problems of migration; and work in crisis situations. Caritas SPES, representing the Roman Catholic Community in Ukraine, has been operating more than 30 centres across the country to meet the needs of children, families, the elderly, and the impoverished.
CRS has a long history of serving those in need, dating back to World War II when it was established to aid migrants and refugees. Today, it continues to work towards building strong, resilient communities and promoting human development by responding to emergencies, fighting disease and poverty, and fostering peaceful and just societies. The organisation's programs cover a range of areas, including agriculture, water and sanitation, education, emergency response, microfinance, health, and peace and justice.
CRS is committed to efficiency, accountability, and transparency in its operations. It has been recognised as a legitimate and efficient charity by organisations such as CharityWatch and Give.org, which help individuals identify trustworthy charities to support. CRS also provides regular updates to donors on how their contributions are making a difference globally.
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Catholic Relief Services' work in disaster relief
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is a legitimate charity that has been providing humanitarian aid and disaster relief for more than 80 years. It is the official international humanitarian arm of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and is operated with their blessing. CRS is committed to adhering to the intent of each donor's gift and aims to promote human development by responding to emergencies, fighting disease and poverty, and nurturing peaceful and just societies.
CRS provides disaster relief through its Emergency Response and Recovery Program. As experienced first responders, they provide lifesaving help to survivors and help them obtain the tools and skills needed for their own recovery. Their projects build on local systems to ensure long-term success, and they implement a wide array of disaster responses tailored to each community's needs. They are especially known for their work in market-based responses and shelter. In fiscal year 2016, they invested more than $442 million in disaster relief programs, supporting more than 12.4 million beneficiaries through 201 projects in 52 countries.
CRS has a strict commitment to efficiency, accountability, and transparency. It is a BBB Wise charity and is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations to CRS are tax-deductible. In 2022, CRS's program expenses included $786,000 for program expenses and $569,000 for fundraising expenses.
CRS has provided humanitarian aid to those fleeing violence in Ukraine and Haiti. They also served migrants and refugees during World War II and continue to serve the world's most vulnerable today. CRS works with local, university, public, and private partners to build strong, resilient communities and alleviate poverty. They have responded to disasters such as hurricanes, floods, and COVID-19 through their Mobile Response Center, providing critical, immediate, and direct relief.
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Catholic Relief Services' work with other organisations
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. It was founded in 1943 by the Catholic Bishops of the United States to serve survivors of World War II in Europe. CRS has since expanded its reach to more than 100 countries across five continents, assisting over 130 million people. The organisation's mission is to help impoverished and vulnerable communities overseas, guided by Catholic social teachings and the example of Jesus Christ. CRS is committed to preserving the sacredness and dignity of human life, from conception to natural death.
CRS works with a range of partners, including local communities, universities, public and private donors, US Diocesan partners, and national partners. These partnerships are crucial for building resilient communities and expanding the organisation's global reach. Local partners, in particular, play a vital role in strengthening the communities where CRS operates.
CRS also collaborates with governments, other faith communities, and secular institutions on humanitarian initiatives. While some of these institutions' positions may not fully align with Catholic teachings, CRS ensures that its work with them remains consistent with its values. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, CRS worked across 73 countries, supporting healthcare facilities in 34 of them and advocating for emergency funding from the US Congress and the Trump administration.
In addition, CRS has been active in providing humanitarian aid to those affected by the Russo-Ukrainian War since 2014, supporting Caritas Ukraine, a Ukrainian Catholic humanitarian relief organisation, in its emergency response efforts.
CRS also has a long-standing relationship with USAID, which provided about half of its $1.5 billion budget in 2025. The organisation has also received in-kind gifts from USAID and USDA in the form of agricultural commodities.
CRS's work is made possible through its diverse partnerships and collaborations, allowing it to reach and assist vulnerable communities worldwide.
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Catholic Relief Services' commitment to donors
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is committed to ensuring that donations are used effectively and efficiently to make a difference. The organization is dedicated to promoting human development by responding to emergencies, fighting disease and poverty, and fostering peace and justice. CRS has a comprehensive approach that includes agriculture, water and sanitation, education, emergency response, microfinance, health, and peace and justice initiatives.
CRS is the official international humanitarian arm of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and operates with their blessing. They adhere to Catholic teachings and values, respecting the dignity of all human life and striving to live in solidarity with their brothers and sisters worldwide. CRS is committed to transparency and accountability, meeting all 20 Charity Standards set by the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance and earning an "A+" rating from CharityWatch. They ensure that 93% of their spending goes directly to programs benefiting the poor overseas, with low overhead expenses.
CRS provides donors with various resources and information to ensure confidence in their donations. They offer an annual report that includes the organization's mission statement, accomplishments, financial information, and a roster of officers and board members. Donors can also receive regular updates on how their support is making an impact globally.
CRS is committed to adhering to the intent of each donor's gift. They value the trust placed in them and work diligently to ensure funds are used efficiently and effectively to help those in need. The organization's history dates back to World War II when it was established to serve migrants and refugees, and today, they continue to assist the world's most vulnerable populations.
CRS welcomes donations from people of all beliefs and backgrounds, and their programs help individuals regardless of their religious affiliation. They believe in integral human development, empowering individuals and communities to break free from poverty and build a better future.
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Frequently asked questions
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian arm of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). It is operated with the blessing of the USCCB and carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. CRS aims to promote human development by responding to emergencies, fighting disease and poverty, and nurturing peaceful and just societies.
Catholic Relief Services is a good charity that has been accredited by BBB Wise Charity and has an "A+" rating from CharityWatch. The organization meets all 20 Charity Standards set by the Better Business Bureau's charity rating arm, the Wise Giving Alliance. It is also one of the most efficient organizations in the world, with 93% of its money going directly to programs that benefit the poor overseas. CRS is committed to adhering to the intent of each donor's gift and ensuring that donations will be used effectively and efficiently to make a difference.
Catholic Relief Services provides disaster relief, promotes good nutrition and hygiene, and teaches farmers how to increase their harvest to feed more people. They also focus on water and sanitation, education, emergency response, microfinance, health, and peace and justice.
You can donate to Catholic Relief Services online through their website or via PayPal. You can also connect with them on social media to stay up-to-date with their work and learn about other ways to get involved, such as volunteering or career opportunities.
