Catholic Relief Services

"My support for CRS dates back many years, starting with the organization's work in Haiti. Over time, CRS has consistently cared for the people of Haiti and continues to do so. I am deeply grateful for the vital work you carry out, which has fueled my long-standing interest in Catholic Relief Services. I truly appreciate the commitment CRS has to helping those in need.”

CRS is one of my favorite charities and does wonderful work globally. It is rated highly & the percentage of the donations that are actually used to help the poor and needy is very high, over 90%.

We like to support organizations that are doing important work in our local community and on a global scale; Catholic Relief Services is our trusted resource when it comes to "global scale." We are grateful for valuable updates from CRS, which inform us of the greatest needs of humanity - beyond what we hear on the news.

Today (4/10/23), I called CRS and asked for a little assistance with our account. Miguel was the representative that helped me. He provided perfect assistance. I did not know that our monthly had stopped! I was calling to increase it. We got that completed and then I asked him to set my account to stop mailing CRS information to us other than December. I mentioned that I can easily check the CRS website and SAVE the postage. The world needs are tremendous ..save any pennies rather than mail is perfect. I also mentioned that I may easily add random other donations beyond our monthly contributions. My family and I were most recently were were blessed. I had successful bypass surgery on 3/30! I highly recommend that if you or anyone know has a family history of heart disease or any additional risk factor then discuss with your doctor, get the order and get it done. A CORONARYARTERY CALCIUM SCORE TEST COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE. It's an out of pocket noninvasive CT test that takes only 15 minutes. The test is a zero to 400! my wife's was only 83 and MINE WAS 2415. I most fortunately am alive so the grandkids have the opportunity to see Grandpa ALIVE. It was only $75.00. I am called to help and tell people. Which one of us has a sad story of someone's untimely heart attack event.

I donated to this organization for Ukraine. I am not Catholic but they were listed as trustworthy in multiple articles. Now I’m suddenly getting so many mailings from other Catholic organizations. They either sold or traded my information. My P.O. Box is small and it’s being filled up with so much now because of CRS. I would never donate to them again.

Each year our religious education program uses the wonderful videos made by Catholic Relief Services to teach the children about the needs of people around the world and the impact CRS has on those communities. Families share how their children come home eager to start small projects to help raise funds to fill the "rice bowl." CRS makes it possible for children and young people to feel they too can make a difference by sharing the results of the donations made. The kids realize that no amount is too small to make a difference in the life of another. CRS is making not only contributions on the ground but also in the classrooms.

While not so well known in the USA, Catholic Relief Services is a household name in some of the neediest countries around the world. Since it serves everyone, the name can be misleading. I recall learning that in Muslim countries such as Pakistan and Afghanistan, the local officials and partners respect CRS because they understand their motivation to serve comes from faith. Another thing I really like about CRS is that they put the local partners in the drivers seat. This NGO listens and serves at the invitation and in collaboration with the local people who know the culture, language and have the skills needed to bring about positive outcomes. CRS is there to provide appropruate technical and financial support. It also ensures accountability which is important to me, as a donor.

I always knew CRS was a great institution, but just how great came to light when I had the privilege to travel with them to Malawi in 2018.
92% of all their budget goes directly to programs like the ones I visited there.
CRS takes a holistic, sustainable approach in combating poverty around the world. They go into countries and seek to understand the needs, wants and desires of the population. They work with the population of the area, other NGOs, as well as the Church and when possible, the governments in those countries. They do not proselytize. "We assist people not because they are Catholic, but because we are." They have over 75 years of experience and are respected around the globe.

As a relatively new member in the chapter of CRS in the Diocese of Buffalo,NY., I have learned so much from the monthly in- service education we receive via Zoom. Since education about world needs is vital to commitment, CRS does a remarkable job .I have learned about the many needs across our globe, how CRS is working for sustainable development so that people can ultimately provide for themselves. I have learned about their success and challenges. I was so impressed by their collaboration with other agencies and especially the communities with whom they work. I have learned how funds are used, and ideas
on how to raise those funds, and strategies for advocacy work with our legislators. The latter has strengthened my confidence in writing to my representatives and in writing letters to the newspapers.
Our chapter’s success for the RiceBowl collection which included educating families about different cultures and the support we gained from our New York Senator for agreeing to co-sponsor a bill affecting foreign aid to mothers and children - all of this is proof to me that I have joined a powerful vehicle that can help to change our world.

Back in 2010, our small faith community needed a meaningful way to gather during Lent. Since then, every year, we used the CRS Rice Bowl as our format. Every Friday of Lent, we shared in the stories and the foods of people from around the world that CRS makes available to us. We enjoy the beautiful smiling faces of people with far less than any of us have ever experienced. One time, we Skyped with a family in Guatemala, while simultaneously enjoying the stories and food of their country. Modern technology makes the experience of connecting live with people in other countries even more exciting. This deepens our community's lived experience of social justice, while virtually experiencing in real time the world abroad. We collect funds for the work of CRS. But the true wealth is in the gift we receive from the experience of the beautiful faces.

There are so many reasons why I have been a volunteer advocate with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) for more than a decade. Because they form partnerships on the ground with local agencies, they are uniquely positioned to know what the greatest needs are and what will make cultural sense to the people there. In addition, CRS is a force for unity here at home because we reach out to Congress in a bipartisan manner to be sure that the US does the most crucial peace-keeping and life-saving work abroad. This is the best of the American people and the best of the Catholic Church at a time when doing what promotes the common good is more important than ever, worldwide, for humanity and the planet!

Caring and efficient! CRS provides training to volunteers and they work by directly assisting those who need help as well as by advocating for policy change to break the cycle of poverty.

Great commitment to developing world, I have witnessed their work in three foreign countries and they really help people transform their lives. Hard working and reach over 100 countries they make great use of donated resources to change and Dave lives.

Awesome organization!! Helps others to learn skills and trades that will lead to an end of poverty.

CRS helps put our faith into action to help the world’s poorest create lasting change.

CRS has always been proactive in responding to various disasters and calamities around the world and go out of their way to not only provide immediate relief, but helping to foster sustainable communities that will thrive beyond the initial phase of aid. I have had the pleasure of working with them for a few years and have seen the impact that they have on communities around the world. They do a great job in sharing stories and encouraging others to share those stories as well. I know they have the best interest of everyone they work with at heart and truly believe in their mission.

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the most credible and most effective relief services in the world! With more than 75 years of service in more than 150 countries, with crisis intervention and sustainable partnering, CRS has achieved outstanding and lasting value in service to the sudden and chronic needs of people living in sudden emergency (earthquakes, storms) and chronic disasters (droughts, economic repression).

Exceptional work done literally around the globe with those in tremendous need, whether refugees, hunger, early childhood development, and so much more. And the money goes where it is needed, not consumed by corporate fluff!

CRS is efficient with the use of money and makes use of local resources to assist people in crisis.

I’m not Catholic but this charity seems to really be saving many truly suffering people.

Catholic Relief Services stands in solidarity with all people around the global, honoring the dignity of all humans made in the image and likeness of Christ. They respond to natural disasters, they teach farmers how to increase their harvest so they can earn more and more people can be fed, and they promote good nutrition and hygiene as a way to eliminate illness. CRS believes in integral human development, a holistic approach that provides not only direct aid but also education to help people develop their gifts so they can break the cycle of poverty. They are focused, efficient and effective with the funds I have donated. They are a wonderful partner

CRS team members are the boots on the ground responding to poverty worldwide, providing dignity to all persons, providing basic needs and safe environments with much love. CRS does this by utilizing all donated funds and resources with 92% of funding used for actual programming and help and 8 % for administrative costs. CRS teams immediately respond to natural disasters helping to empower community leadership creating communities that work together helping resolve economic and basic needs for their respective communities. I feel confident advocating on behalf of CRS that has earned my trust and continues to lead the way in humanitarian diplomacy.

I am an ambassador for Catholic Relief Services and have had the privilege of traveling with them and observing their service to the poorest of the poor in our world - especially refugees. Catholic Relief Services represents the United States well in bringing compassionate care to the hungry, the thirsty and those without shelter. I invite you to check their website - crs.org - and spend some time viewing their relief and development work in the world including their response to COVID19 in the world, their relief work in Lebanon after the horrific explosion in Beirut and their development assistance in countless areas.

We lived in Ghana 40 years ago and saw CRS in action, working alongside villagers to create better, sustainable farming communities. We were impressed, and since then, we’ve seen their work in other parts of the world, always in cooperation with local groups. We are proud of having donated through payroll deduction from our first year working until our retirement. Now we give our time to advocacy work with CRS guidance.

Great nonprofit! I've had the opportunity to collaborate with some of their staff and I am nothing but impress of their commitment to making a positive change in the world, individually and as an organization.

They reach everywhere - from refugee camps to Osama Bin Laden's backyard to the edges of conflicts - demonstrating that Catholics can truly love neighbors wherever they are found

When I think of those suffering from famine, malnutrition, drought and poor economic situations around the world, I think of CRS. The mission of CRS is not only to bring immediate relief efforts to the poorest of the poor of our international community, but to stay and help rebuild the community to sustain itself! That means contributing direct resources so folks purchase goods from local farmers, applied science is used to update agricultural techniques, and water wells with filtration systems are engineered for the people to thrive.

When we contribute to Catholic Relief Services, we become part of the mission to help those who are suffering abroad so they can be able to thrive and contribute to their own community and abroad themselves. This is how the gospel of Jesus Christ turns into action.

Sometimes you hear the terrible news that other relief agencies provide immediate relief and then disappear, or the resources they provide puts local businesses out of business thus leaving the community they were assisting worse off. Not with CRS. That is why I advocate and support Catholic Relief Services. I know my contributions will make a difference in the lives of those who are hurting.

I am a donor and a volunteer for Catholic Relief Services (CRS). I am also a former employee. CRS is a wonderful organization. Most of its revenue is devoted to programing that directly reaches and touches the lives of its beneficiaries. One little story best illustrates what CRS is about. I first went to work for CRS immediately following the devastating tsunami in Indonesia. I remember seeing photos of the basic needs kits CRS was handing out to victims. It contained basic toiletries but also something else caught my eye. It was a little rug and when I inquired I was told that most of those affected were Muslims and this was a prayer rug to serve their spiritual needs. This seemed so loving and caring to me. And it was from an organization that at its heart did not even ascribe to the same religion. CRS was at its heart, however, I would come to learn guided above all else by the principles of social justice embodied in Catholic Social Tradition. CRS is all about 100% service to all members of the human family who are in need. CRS is Top Notch and deserves Top Rating.

They are always ready to help no matter what the needs are or what your background is.
CRS helps in the most remote areas in the world where only few organizations are able to reach those most in need.

I have seen first hand how CRS is first on the seen after a catastrophe providing food,water, blankets, medicine, etc. They can do that because they’re there 365 days a year. They have the confidence of the local church and government. When other Caritas organizations are looking for partners to guide and assist them they choose CRS because we are the world’s best international humanitarian organization.

CRS is one of the few non-profits for which over 93% of donations go directly to meet the needs of the poor around the world. They have over 75 yrs of experience and dedication to serving the most vulnerable people in over 100 countries. They are committed, trustworthy, faithful, and dedicated to the social teachings of the Catholic Church.

Awesome organization that does the work of our Lord. Provides so many essential goods and services to the world's neediest populations!

I have visited CRS programs in Rwanda and Nicaragua and seen first hand the amazing life changing work CRS does.

I believe that the Catholic Relief Services in Egypt does not reflect the Catholic identity as you claim.
In Egypt, Catholic Relief Services is far from its partnerships with the local church, except in a few programs to avoid embarrassment
It is trying to distance itself from the church and even deliberately excluding the church so that it is not accused of being a Catholic!!!

CRS serves the poorest of the poor worldwide and serves on the basis of need - not creed. Nobody does it better, nobody. Fiscally responsible and operationally efficient, not only is CRS first on-the-ground with emergency relief and life-saving care, but they also go where few people dare to go in pursuit of peace-building and the sustainable development of communities. From clean drinking water, to micro-finance, to HIV, to refugees, I have witnessed first-hand how lives are saved and then transformed. CRS helps people see the face of Christ in the suffering of others, providing renewed hope and restoring their God-given dignity: “BECAUSE OF THE WORK OF CRS, NONE OF MY CHILDREN DIED THIS YEAR” Ponder that – it says a lot. We are one human family for which we are all responsible. Thank you CRS! Miguel Santos

Catholic Relief Services is a phenomenal nonprofit that really seeks the good of the other in all circumstances. We have worked with them as a parish in many different settings and have been blown away by all they do!

I have worked with programs in various counties and can testify to their impact in communities. My last trip to Rwanda showcased a stellar program on food security through farming practices, nutrition education, and clean water. They reversed over 90% of stunting within one community in less than two weeks! They are doing some of the most important work on the planet as a partner and in solidarity with community.

I have worked with professionals from Catholic Relief Services for many years. Their programs, educational tools and personal assistance have been instrumental in my social justice education work with university students, faculty and staff. CRS staff are up to date on current events abroad because they are committed to long-term development and they employ local experts in each country they serve. I have found CRS' planning to be thoughtful, careful and responsive, and their implementation to be thorough and collaborative.

As a volunteer for Catholic Relief Services I have seen firsthand the great work this organization does. Serving in over 112 countries, CRS not only assists people devastated by natural disasters but also works with them after things are under control to teach new skills and show the way to a better, improved life for the future. They do this while maximizing funding (96% of donations are used for the actual work CRS does) and employing people from the various countries to supervise and do the work rather than bringing outsiders in.

I have experienced their engagement with communities both domestically and globally. They truly engage collaboratively with the communities they work with. Their commitment to educating students on global issues and advocacy is inspiring as well.

I have been fortunate to observe on the ground work of this organization and their work is incredible and highly effective. I am a proud donor to CRS and the work they do around the globe in reducing poverty and building a resilient future. The university I work at also supports CRS as its official aid agency and has students who serve as CRS Ambassadors.

As a faculty member at a private Catholic university, I greatly appreciate the resources available through the Faculty Commons. The videos, case studies, and activities are well-thought out, engaging, and extremely useful for college-level discussions.

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) excels at every level in its mission to help people throughout the world to live better lives. The fight against causes such as the elimination of hunger and poverty, lack of access to basic education, proper care and support of refugees, and providing basic conditions for everyone to live with dignity, among others, need champions at the individual and organizational level. CRS is at the forefront of these as a non-profit organization. It makes those who support its work proud. CRS makes our country proud embodying the best of American solidarity values. Hosffman Ospino, PhD.

I first learned of this organization after Hurricane Matthew. Shockingly, churches and people around me spoke of bringing the displaced children of Haiti to the U.S.! But CRS worked with the organizations there to house, to start to clean water, then to crush the piles of cement so people can rebuild. Later I went to Haiti and saw how it really is a world of cement rubble (and discarded plastic). Now I have a chance to advocate for, educate, and fund-raise for national and international humanitarian aid for CRS . The wealth of resources and knowledge the organization provides me is endless. I'm very proud of CRS.

I’m a longtime CRS supporter and volunteer, and I am consistently blown away by the expert organizational strength of this global agency. Effective, empowering, and always moving its supporters to live a life of faith that is expressed by care and connection with every human being. You could not find a NGO doing more to build peace and justice everywhere!

Service with Faith, Heart and Conscientiousness, low admin expenses. Direct Front line service to the most needy children refugees in Middle East. Serving our Jesus.

My mother has donated to CRS my entire life. I have donated to this nonprofit a couple times and absolutely love how easy it is to donate.

Catholic Relief Services is a GREAT organization helping the needy throughout the world in so many ways. Rest assured, your donation will always be put to the best use!

Their values and integrity make it more worth-while to donate. I know my humble contribution is in good hands.

I appreciate being able to donate to Catholic Relief Services online to help victims of the Mexican Earthquake - it is fast and easy and I did it through Pay Pal - How easy is that?!!

I agree with Pope Francis, that know one should be hungry, and our government should be making sure of this!

Simple message, simple mission: serving the poor. Committed to promoting social justice, and providing charitable solutions to problems.

great organization that does amazing work, helps the poorest and makes a difference.

We have always felt that CRS makes good use of our donations with low overhead expenses. CRS help goes to all groups, regardless of religion, and is a living testimony to Christian caring for others. We are so blessed in this country, and the situation is so desperate in so many countries, it is important that organizations like CRS continue to receive our strong support.

Over the past several years, in my role as a a campus minister, I've accompanied college students on short term immersions in the developing world. Whenever possible we arrange to spend some time with Catholic Relief Services (CRS ). Having seen first hand projects ranging from peace-building to agriculture, from economic justice to HIV/AIDS care and from health care to education reform, I believe that CRS is a great non-profit. They are mission-driven and fiscally responsible. They adhere to an integral human development model that respects the dignity of the people and communities where they work. Thus, outside the US, most of their employees are local folks from in-country.

At the most personal level, I admire and respect CRS because of the mission as I understand it: to spread the good news. This does not mean proselytizing or converting, not in the least. It means clean water and sanitation, Fair Trade, basic health care, education, women's empowerment, disaster relief. It means respecting the human dignity of each and all and it means striving to live in solidarity with all of God's creation.

If I had one more career in me - CRS would have my resume in a minute. ; )

My family became involved with Catholic Relief Services when I was 14 years old in 1979. The charity brought a family from Laos to the United States that consisted of five children from ages 8 months to 7 years. 35 years later, these "kids" have grown into great human beings that are forever grateful to Catholic Relief Services for saving them almost certain death in a war torn country. The charity does unbelievable work and more than 90% of every dollar donated goes directly to their mission.

In the late 90's I was working in Tanzania desperately trying to address a rapidly emerging situation with a growing HIV pandemic. Overwhelmed with demand for services, I was at the point of almost giving up. CRS became a true partner. They provided not only technical expertise, but administrative and management expertise to help a local clinic grow and expand. Quite honestly, they also did a lot of hand holding as well. Without any question, Catholic Relief Services is the finest international development partner I've ever worked with. Within all of the solid supportive guidance and technical expertise to grow and expand resulting in quality services for people affected by HIV, there was always the presence of faith and true holistic care.

Catholic Relief Services does God's work wherever there is great need across the globe. I have given generously to this organization because of its stellar good works and because of the nonprofit's very low administrative costs. CRS uses all contributions efficiently.

A little over six months after the terrible earthquake struck Port- au -Prince in the Island of Haiti I had the opportunity to visit that country and city with Catholic Relief Services. We saw first hand the devastation that that poor country experienced. But we also saw the resilient efforts made by Catholic Relief Services and some of its partners to bring some degree of assistance by way of shelter, medicine, and food to the victims, not just of the earthquake but also of the ensuing cholera epidemic that came on the heels of the earthquake. CRS imported a number of rubble crushing machines from Africa to help alleviate the conditions in Port-au-Prince. Although it was not enough to solve the total problem of the toxic rubble that lay everywhere in the city, it provided employment to local people to crush the rubble and make sand for the concrete floors of the temporary shelters that were being constructed by CRS
It was a win-win situation. The rubble was being cleared and local people were given employment, thanks to the imaginative efforts of CRS

CRS is the organization I am most grateful to support. Their work around the globe is stellar and they are wonderful stewards of their resources. They are truly responding to the call to serve all of God's people.

Catholic Relief is one of the very few charities I give to on a regular basis. The work they do is invaluable and the dedication to do the work as efficiently as possible is a great credit to them. Whenever I speak with any of their staff, they ar pleasant and a joy to encounter.

service and accompaniment with those living at the margins and in emergency situations, regardless of nationality or creed. Employs local people to lead and partner on local problems to find sustainable solutions. Upholds the dignity of each human being and is a great representative of any U.S. Catholic or other engaged citizen of the world.

I worked for CRS for over ten years. While I worked at the headquarters in Baltimore, my work occasionally gave me the opportunity to travel overseas for meetings and training sessions. Before and after those meetings, I had the opportunity to visit programs in the field and learn how CRS does its work. Coming out of the corporate sector, I didn't have much knowledge of international relief and development work, so I learned a lot. And the more I learned, the more I came to appreciate how thoughtful CRS is about the way it helps people and communities living in poverty or recovering from natural disasters.

CRS doesn't just swoop in and fix problems. They start by listening to the local communities, to find out what's important to them. And they work hard to involve those communities in developing solutions to the problems they're facing, because CRS recognizes that if the people affected by a program don't believe in it, it will never work. In addition, CRS works with local partners to build their capacity to design, implement and manage programs, so that the communities become more resilient over time, and less reliant on outside resources to overcome challenges. CRS is one of the best organizations helping people in need overseas.

One of the best charities in the world. Usually, always at the top of most "Charity Watch Lists" for the work they do and how almost all of the donations are used as promoted.

When I was a Peace Corps Vounteer in the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, I was very impressed by the quality work this organiztion did on the ground there. Because it was illegal to proseltyze, there were no missionary groups in this extremely poor country; but CRS was certainly there, helping those in need.

Catholic Relief Services must take a hard look at what it does with its partners in developing countries. While we must appreciate the systems and the work that goes into it, they have no meaning. Ask if any partner has been terminated due to non-performance!

CRS values its partnerships (at least on paper and by the designations of its top-management) but goes on funding partners who 1) have no interest in the development and poverty alleviation work and 2) who have a history of non-performance.

Its systems are top class but when there is a rot in its core values with partners who anyway know that they can manipulate according to their selfish needs, these systems are not worth the time that is required to keep them moving.

Fiscally responsible, ethically and morally sound group! I love this group because I feel like it helps me live my faith. Christ said "What you do for the least of your brothers, you do for me." This is a way to help people living in abject poverty. I can't possibly travel to these places on my own and yet I know they need help and CRS is there. They help not only in emergencies and disasters but are also engaged in trying to create long term change. Their best programs are the ones that help build infrastructure like digging wells and help people become economically independent. Whether they are digging wells, building schools or medical clinics, empowering women, or fostering economic development, CRS does a great job!

Have given up to $10,000 yr. in the past. Could never consider any further donations. Catholic Relief gave $13.8 million to CARE who converted much of it into birth control and abortion services through Planned Parenthood and Marie Stopes, Int'l.

Apparently Catholic Relief has more money than brains ($918 million in the last public accounting period!). The American Bishops will figure this out soon. New leadership??

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

CRS is the U.S. Catholic foreign relief and development agency. I have been a very appreciative and proud supporter of CRS for several decades. CRS does a very professional and efficient job of helping and empowering people in about 100 countries throughout the world. Working mostly through local churches, we take advantage of our existing infrastructure to efficiently help in times of disaster (like the Haiti earthquake) and empower under-developed communities to be healthier physically and economically. We also have successful peacekeeping programs. For the last four years I have been a CRS Fair Trade Ambassador promoting Fair Trade (a great development and justice tool) in my parish and diocese and pretty much everywhere I go. The staff in Baltimore is very supportive and appreciative of the work that we ambassadors do within our communities. It is an honor and a pleasure to do this volunteer work for CRS.

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.

CRS makes a special effort to involve college students and young adults in its international development work. It does not do this in a traditional manner of providing service trips but rather educates young adults about the lives of people in developing countries and about the systemic causes of issues indigenous people face. CRS helps young Americans gain in-depth knowledge about developing countries and respect for what people on the ground are doing to improve their lives. CRS involves young Americans through webinars, media-assisted dialogue, social media, and other advanced means. They have made a real commitment to young Americans, not for fund-raising purposes, but as an investment in long-term understanding.

Catholic Relief Services continues to be critical to providing support to those in need around the world. Efficiently administrated and motivated by their deep desire to fulfill the Gospel values, CRS makes our world a better place.

Catholic Relief Services is the best agency I have been involved with. Their dedicated work to develop countries overseas is unparalleled and their education in the US is phenomenal. They also have an incredible "CRS Fair Trade Ambassador Program" - one of the most informative, electric and life-changing experiences I have had. I have shared my knowledge from this program for years now and been empowered to make simple small changes every day of my life.

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.

First, I am Indian.
Second, I teach Community Development with a Water and Sanitation emphasis at the University level.
Finally, on at least six occasions over many years, I have worked as a consultant with other both national and international organizations hand-in-glove with CRS in the field and in the mix of NGO planning at a a senior management level. I am based in Kolkata and focus mainly in the Eastern Region, including essentially, West Bengal, Bihar, Orissa and Assam.
In summary, CRS has an outstanding reputation in my field and in this geographic region. And, my sources tell me, that reputation is reflected throughout India.
My experience has been that CRS programming in India is carried out and managed mainly by its highly skilled Indian staff. In my multiple exposures, I have found CRS people and programs to be effective, efficient, transparent and accountable. All programming involves local partners. It develops at and responds to the grassroots--to those most in need without regard to creed, color or caste.
The CRS network is countrywide and subject to audit on many levels including by the GOI and USAID, as well as its own extensive internal and partners' internal auditing functions.
In Indian disaster-management circles, CRS is well-known and highly repected countrywide for its responsiveness to its grassroots partners during emergencies. One key to that is the fact that CRS generally works with those same partners providing ongoing support for programming in such areas as health, water and sanitation, education, agriculture, infrastructure strengthening and village-level savings and banking cooperatives. As first-responders in an emergency, CRS and its partners are already successfully functional and are ALREADY THERE.
My history of involvement has led me to give the highest rating to CRS in India.

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.

Now lets listen from a person who has been in close contact with the work of Catholic Relief Services in India. In India CRS mainly donates to diocesan organisations- in India these organisations are mainly known not to practice what they preach. I still think that the contributions by the church in India are overwhelming - in the field of health and education but these are mainly money spinning machines now. Ask this to any parent in India searching for a school to admit his child.

In terms of the work, I have read the reviews by some donors who seem to have the idea that CRS has its base on the ground. During an emergency (and I have been personally involved in many of these ), what they do is to rain down a lot of "expatriate" consultants who do not know the conditions on the ground before they come- at one time they brought in an intern who wanted to spend christmas out of the US. These consultants mainly have their work experience in African countries where human resources and infrastructure might not be of good quality- in India, we have the best human resources possible, trained, committed and willing to go that extra mile. What these consultants do is to just capture an office and go on typing on their laptops and work on some formats which have absolutely no use. And we believe that the huge salaries and the hardship allowance they get could go to provide succour to a few thousand families more.

Now let me relate the work of its so called partners. What these diocesan directors want is a project - so that the funding that CRS provides can be diverted towards their own selfish ends and the worst part of it is that CRS management know about it but save their jobs- they all want to be polictically correct. At the end of the year, implementation and reports are nowhere to be seen but what can be had is just tall promises in the name of God.

Staff do not say these things because this is inherent in their culture promoted by the management, I have seen CRS staff manipulating books of accounts at the partner locations.

I’m a summer intern for Catholic Relief Services, and I have to say that my experience here has been nothing but positive. I’ve spent over a month working here, I can safely say that CRS does exactly what it promises to do. The money they receive goes to numerous projects throughout the world. They help people regardless of race or religion. The help goes to whoever truly needs it.

My analysis of Catholic Relief Services, Inc. calls into question where some of the funds are being allocated. Non-profits are notorious for funding other non-profits, and CRS is no exception. In 2008 they funded the National Religious Partnership for the Environment to the tune of $10,000? What does that have to do with their mission? In many ways NRPE is working counter to the Catholic mission. Non-profits need more transparency, they often operate with less efficiency than tax paying profit institutions.

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.

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.

Catholic Relief Services makes me proud to be Catholic. The organization fulfills the Gospel call to serve the least of our brothers and sisters--while teaching us how great the least really are. CRS embodies the principles of Catholic social teaching, providing a hand up, not a hand out. I love this organization! It inspires me to say yes to my own baptismal call as a disciple of Jesus Christ.

CRS uses donations efficiently, and works with people "based on need, not creed". You don't have to be Catholic to support them or to receive helpf from them. Aid is non-sectarian and based on their belief that every human being deserves to live with dignity.

It is well known that they respond to emergency situations with short term emergency relief when needed ( the tsunami, Haitian earthquake), but just as importantly also on long term solutions - micro financing, education, peace-building, securing clean water supplies, HIV education and medication, helping farmers be more productive and self-sufficient. Their goal is not a culture of dependence on aid, but a planting the seeds for a live changing, culture changing improvements.

What a wonderful organization! I particularly appreciate their work with fair trade, the world's poorest people, and climate change. I encourage everyone to get on board with these causes - they are critical and there are so many people in the world currently suffering greatly.

Hard to say where I fit in a as a "your role". I guess just general member of the public and fan for now. I am a missionary and am active in Haiti. I will be taking classes in the fall to get my degree in Human Services and then on to a 4 year degree. I hope one day to work for CRS. This is a group I am willing to pledge my life to. I believe that the good that this large group of people do as a whole is Gods works and that is all that counts.

Catholic Relief Services saves thousands of lives and brings fresh water to those without!

I have confidence that any money I donate to CRS goes to people who truly need it. I am a fan of the way the organization is set up with feet on the ground and established long-term relationships throughout the world so that money and time are not wasted when a crisis hits.

I also appreciate the way CRS communicates via Facebook, Twitter and E-mail. This communication keeps me up to date in a cost-effective and timely manner.

CRS is a hands on relief organization that is always one of the first,if not the first relief organization on the ground helping those who need critcal supplies like food,water and shelter.They also are an organization that stays in country long after the publicity fades to continue helping victims rebuild their lives.money donated to CRS isn't tied up in overhead but is used to truly help those in need.

CRS serves more than 100 million people in more than 100 countries and five continents!! That alone says it all!!!

I can't think of another organizatin who does such great work consistently, professionally and creatively. I had the opportunity first hand to be with CRS on a trip for youth ministers to the HOly land. It was there I saw the way CRS works. People from the local areas run the agencies who serve the poor, hungry, marginalized and those affected by war and human greed. To quietly serve and empower the local people is a great gift. It is really how Jesus did things.
CRS continues to serve but also to educate in creative and effective and collaborative ways. No one does social justice better!!

From the time I was a little girl I have known of the work of CRS. I have always been impressed with the efficiency of the organization and their responsiveness to donors. When I hear about a disaster somewhere in the world I think of CRS. I know that CRS stays for the long haul, that they don't just come for the "photo opportunity," but remain long after others are gone. Not only are they interested in disaster relief, but also in development and rebuilding.

In the early fall a priest spoke at my church during Mass about Sudan. He asked all of us to pray the 101 Days of Prayer for that country. In speaking with him later that day he explained the situation to me because he had been there. It was quite an eye opener!

I said that prayer twice a day (just to make sure...) and tried to keep up on the information about the vote. It was disappointing to me that this important event was not in the news as much as I would have liked to have seen it.

My Goddaughter in Vermont sent me an article from her local newspaper about her boyfriend. While perusing other articles I found one entitled "Lost Boys of Sudan." I wrote a letter to the editor (which was printed) encouraging prayer for Sudan and the fact that these boys should be able to vote from America because we want them to enjoy the blessings of freedom that we have.

Because of email and Facebook I was able to pass that prayer on to others.

I know that the situation is still tenuous in Sudan so I continue to pray but it took just that one priest, who works for CRS, to plant a seed for prayer that is probably all over the USA now!

I am very pleased with the way Catholic Relief Services reaches out all over the world to help the less fortunate regardless of the need and regardless of the person in need. They sponsor a lot of diverse programs that do more than just feed the hungry and care for the sick...they EMPOWER people and INSPIRE them. Since I am still a graduate student, I may not be able to donate as much as I would like to this organization, but it is a comfort to know that a good percentage of what I donate goes to those who need it most. I have recommended this organization to my friends and family and will certainly continue to do so. Keep up the good work and God bless you for all that you do!

When disasters happen, or when our office staff are feeling generous, we always look to see what CRS is doing and where. Then we make our collection and send it, sometimes earmarked for a particular cause.
We can trust CRS to put the monies where asked, or where most needed, and we can trust them.
We are a multi-national and multi-racial staff, lucky to have what we do in a changing world, and willing to share it regularly with others.
We donated during hurricanes and tsunamis, earthquakes and floods. But it's regular donations "just because" that make our hears sing the loudest.

Whenever there is a large scale crisis, I know that my donation to CRS will povide the most bang for the buck for the victims. CRS usually has a team in the ground wherever the greatest need is and they get right to work.

Catholic Relief Service has been close to my heart my entire life. The organization has been through good an bad but yet come out on top. They truly are an organization that is "Giving Hope to a World of Need". They are always number one in times of crisis staying long after others have gone. The executive team, Board Members and employees are the most down to earth people I have ever met. They have a world of knowledge and use it to their benefit. We are lucky to have people in this world who want to help and not just "go to work".

Thank you Catholic Relief Services for everything you do.

For a number of years now, my wife and I have had $25.00 deducted from our checking account each month to go to CRS. We also give larger amounts to special church collections and directly to CRS; e.g., for earthquake relief and the like. While we are far from being large donors, we are consistent ones because CRS gives the overwhelming amount of funds that it collects to the intended beneficaries and that is a very important fact to us.

When I donate to Catholic Relief Services I know that my money is going to work to help where it is most needed in the fastest way possible. I fully trust and applaud CRS.

CRS is recognized by its peers as having expertise in emergency response and long term development. In addition to the work most know them for - emergency response in times of tsunamis, earthquakes, war, famine, etc. - they are there for the long haul, helping people develop sources of clean water and safe, secure food supplies; providing access to education to break the cycle of poverty and skills training to help families support themselves. All this, and they do it efficiently - $.92 of every dollar goes directly to aid.

CRS has decades of experience in providing relief and a high percentage of every dollar goes directly to the people in need, not for administrative costs, and the like. The day of the earthquake in Haiti, I went to their website to donate, without being prompted to do so, because I knew they were already on the ground in Haiti and experienced in the needs and culture of the people there.

When I donate to CRS, I know that my money is going where it needs to go. CRS has a 6% overhead and that impresses me. I also know that when they send relief, the people will be trained to do what they need to do and not just go to feel good about helping and end up getting into trouble or in the way of real relief.

How do I know if CRS charity donations are helping Haitians on the ground? My answer from an article I read is as follows:

Catholic Relief Services has been involved in Haiti since 1954. It would be useful to find out what they have accomplished of on-going benefit that has not made the problems there worse. Seemingly, the long-standing efforts of such organizations in Haiti have accomplished little in terms of resiliency, self-sufficiency, and poverty alleviation. Of course, while a single organization cannot be expected to put much of a dent in long-term systemic problems, one hopes that the various aid organizations have been working together toward a common good purpose, have been evaluating their efforts, have adjusted their programs to meet local long term needs, and have checked their religious ideology at the door, in the interests of helping people over the long run.