Catholic Relief Services
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Featured Review
October 29, 2012
I have been giving to CRS for over 40 years now. I was initially drawn by their international outlook and especially their programs to provide a safe water supply in developing nations. As I learned more about the organization, my interest expanded to include AIDS, micro-finance and emergency assistance. I have personally not been out in the field but my son, who is an economist, lived in various countries in Africa for over 10 years and has been unstinting in his praise of their work.
Considering the expense involved in sending staff overseas, it is amazing how low their overhead is.
I have met a number of staff and found each person to be dedicated, open and warm. Thank you for enabling me, as a member of the Body of Christ, to be present to those in need across the globe.
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Was your donation impactful?
Definitely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
2 people found this review helpful
April 5, 2013
2 people found this review helpful
Remember when the earthquake hit Pakistan just before the winter set in and thousands were left homeless? There was no follow-on story about people freezing to death because CRS was able to work with partners in the area to get temporary housing in place for the victims of that disaster before it became a catastrophe. CRS is the organzation that is already there when needed. They don't wait for airlifts of supplies because they warehouse on developing countries in advance of need. We were privileged to meet with their staff in Chenei, India a few years ago while traveling. What they can accomplish using local folks is amazing. I know my support of them is being maximized.
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Was your donation impactful?
Definitely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2013
February 21, 2013
Why is it this charity and most others like Doctors without borders, when they get a donation hit you up for another one by return mail??. How foolish of them as I and I am sure many others than put them at the back of the line for the next one.
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Was your donation impactful?
Likely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Unsure
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Unsure
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2013
January 11, 2013
1 person found this review helpful
I no longer donate to Catholic Relief Services because of their support for pro-Abortion groups such as: the CORE group and MEDiCAM. Suggest you Google pro-abortion and Catholic Relief Services for yourself.
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Was your donation impactful?
Unlikely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
No
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
No
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2013
1 person found this review helpful
December 14, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
Worldwide, this organization is always at the forefront of assisting in any disaster. Great organization- I've been a donor for 25+ years and will continue to make this my priority organization to support.
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Was your donation impactful?
Definitely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
2 people found this review helpful
November 9, 2012
2 people found this review helpful
I'm having extraoardinary difficulties in discontinuing my monthly donation with them (needed due to own issues). They won't help at the main donation number (but they will of course take money), and they send you to another number (toll) that no one answers and doesn't have voice mail. I had to address it with my credit card company, ultimately. If you sign up with them for recurring conations, be aware that they will not help you stop them.
More feedback...
Was your donation impactful?
Unsure
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
No
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
No
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
October 26, 2012
As a Catholic and a global citizen, my faith practice and my vision of a just world are made more real because of the work CRS makes possible.
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Was your donation impactful?
Definitely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
November 11, 2011
My daughter and I have had the wonderful opportunity of personally witnessing the outstanding charitable work performed by Catholic Relief Services and it partners in India.
In 2008 we traveled with CRS and visited 5 cities throughout India including Mumbai, Calcutta and Delhi. In each city we were deeply moved by the dedication of the CRS staff and its partners in positively changing lives. We were very fortunate to see first hand the life saving and life sustaining work that CRS is accomplishing in this country.
We witnessed CRS helping young children on the streets of Mumbai learn to read on a true "school" bus, we witnessed life saving programs helping young girls escape the streets of the city, we saw food and sanitation programs effectively delivered both in the city and in rural areas south of Calcutta. We also saw the work done by partners running schools, orphanages and homes for the poor and dying.
We came away from our 9 day trip highly impressed by the effectiveness and the impact that CRS and its programs are having on the poor and marginalized in India.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
traveling to witness in person the difference they are making in lives. In addition to India, I have traveled to Africa on two occasions viewing the outstanding work and great progress CRS is making in combatting poverty.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
work to see that they receive increased funding from government grants, corporations and individuals as they are an extremely effective deliverer of resources to the poor.
4 people found this review helpful
March 24, 2011
4 people found this review helpful
I have suported CRS since 2000, and believed it to be an organization that spent its income wisely and one that respected the dignity of human life regardless of income, status, or circumstance.
My parents have donated to CRS every year for the past 7 years. This morning, I received my first telemarketing call from CRS, and the caller's crassness made it clear to me that the organization does not respect human dignity.
I told the telemarketer that my father was deceased, after which the caller again demanded that I tell her whether my father would send a check. I then told her that my father was dead, at which point the caller requested permission to retain him on her list.
I contacted Donor Relations and was told my mother and father's names would be removed from correspondence, but that CRS hired paid telemarketers on a regular basis.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I had heard for over 10 years about the good work this organization did. This morning, a paid telemarketer called my while I was still asleep, demanded to speak with my father (who died less than 2 weeks ago), and then started demanding money from my late father.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Eliminate paid third-party telemarketers and be honest about what it spends on fund-raising. Show respect toward your donors - if you don't, you probably done responct your "clients" either.
February 6, 2011
This is a wonderful organization, with dedicated, qualified staff, who make every effort to serve their local clients and to spend every dollar very wisely. It has a very low overhead, considering the breadth and depth of the programs.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Benin, West Africa, 1973-75, when I lived next door to the Director of Catholic Relief Services
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
help it grow !
More feedback...
Was your donation impactful?
Likely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
What specific problem, purpose, priority, or project prompted your gift?
Past experience with relieving hunger in Africa in mid-1970s
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008