Catholic Relief Services (WFDD)

Catholic Relief Services, founded in 1943 by the Catholic Bishops of the United States, is the official international relief and development agency of the U.S. Catholic community. Its mission is to assist the poor and disadvantaged, leveraging the teachings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to alleviate human suffering, promote development of all people, and to foster charity and justice throughout the world. CRS operates on five continents and in 99 countries with an operating budget of approximately $566.5 million (2005). Funding for the organization comes from the American Bishops' Overseas Appeal (ABOA) as well as public and private grants, and individual donors. CRS partners with a variety of US-based and international organizations, both secular and religious. CRS is a member of Caritas Internationalis.