Catholic Relief Services was founded in 1943 by the Catholic Bishops of the United States to serve World War II survivors in Europe. Since then, we have expanded in size to reach more than 130 million people in more than 100 countries on five continents.

CRS is motivated by the example of Jesus Christ to ease suffering, provide development assistance, and foster charity and justice. We are committed to a set of Guiding Principles and hold ourselves accountable to each other for them.

Watch what happens when little miracles touch the lives of the most vulnerable people around the world. Witness the lifesaving help and hope provided by Catholic Relief Services. Take a look at just how far your heart can reach.

As the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States, CRS is governed by a board of directors comprising clergy, most of them bishops elected by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, as well as religious and Catholic lay men and women.

Mission Statement

Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We are motivated by the Gospel of Jesus Christ to cherish, preserve and uphold the sacredness and dignity of all human life, foster charity and justice, and embody Catholic social and moral teaching as we act to:

PROMOTE HUMAN DEVELOPMENT by responding to major emergencies, fighting disease and poverty, and nurturing peaceful and just societies; and,

SERVE CATHOLICS IN THE UNITED STATES as they live their faith in solidarity with their brothers and sisters around the world.

As part of the universal mission of the Catholic Church, we work with local, national and international Catholic institutions and structures, as well as other organizations, to assist people on the basis of need, not creed, race or nationality.

Approved by the Catholic Relief Services Board of Directors on September 11, 2008.

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

Faith: Faith is our foundation. We have faith in the people we serve and our shared ability to build a more just and peaceful world.

Action: The desire to serve is not enough. We must act collaboratively to bring about real improvements in peoples’ quality of life and genuine engagement in building peace and justice.

Results: Demonstrated through measureable outcomes, our actions must be effective in alleviating human suffering, removing root causes and empowering people to achieve their full potential.

Guiding Principles

As the official international Catholic relief and development agency of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Catholic Relief Services draws upon a rich tradition of Scripture and Catholic social teaching, which serve as the foundation for CRS' Guiding Principles. Acting as a guide to what a just world might look like, these Principles are shared across religious and cultural boundaries and articulate values that are common among people who seek to promote and work towards true justice and lasting peace.

Sacredness & Dignity of the Human Person
Created in the image of God, all human life is sacred and possesses a dignity that comes directly from our creation and not from any action of our own.

Rights & Responsibilities
Every person has basic rights and responsibilities that flow from our human dignity and that belong to us as human beings regardless of any social or political structures.  The rights are numerous and include those things that make life truly human. Corresponding to our rights are duties and responsibilities to respect the rights of others and to work for the common good of all.

Social Nature of Humanity
All of us are social by nature and are called to live in community with others — our full human potential isn't realized in solitude, but in community with others. How we organize our families, societies and communities directly affects human dignity and our ability to achieve our full human potential.

The Common Good
In order for all of us to have an opportunity to grow and develop fully, a certain social fabric must exist within society. This is the common good. Numerous social conditions — economic, political, material and cultural — impact our ability to realize our human dignity and reach our full potential.

Subsidiary
A higher level of government — or organization — should not perform any function or duty that can be handled more effectively at a lower level by people who are closer to the problem and have a better understanding of the issue.

Solidarity
We are all part of one human family — whatever our national, racial, religious, economic or ideological differences — and in an increasingly interconnected world, loving our neighbor has global dimensions.

Option for the Poor
In every economic, political and social decision, a weighted concern must be given to the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable. When we do this we strengthen the entire community, because the powerlessness of any member wounds the rest of society.

Stewardship
There is inherent integrity to all of creation and it requires careful stewardship of all our resources, ensuring that we use and distribute them justly and equitably — as well as planning for future generations.

Careers & Jobs at CRS

A career at CRS offers an opportunity to make a profound difference in the lives of the poor and vulnerable overseas whether working directly with our beneficiaries in the field or working from our Baltimore headquarters in finance, human resources, marketing, or other essential position that supports our programs and mission. We operate in over 100 countries and have earned a strong reputation as leaders in humanitarian work. Our mission involves work to eradicate global poverty, respond to major emergencies and implement sustainable development solutions. CRS assists people based on need, not creed, race or nationality. Wherever you work and regardless of your role, at CRS you will help create lasting change in the world.

Helping People
You will find yourself immersed in work that is engaging, purposeful, and has lasting impact. We build upon our extensive partnerships, strong local reputation, and technical expertise to achieve impactful and sustainable outcomes. CRS values inform how we interact with our peers, partners and the people we serve. The work of CRS transforms lives, families and communities, and everyone at CRS plays a role in achieving our goals.

Valuing Differences
CRS values our diverse global workforce who bring different backgrounds, cultures and beliefs to the organization. Our diversity is our strength. Our colleagues bring multiple viewpoints and experiences to the table when we work together and with partners to find innovative, sustainable solutions to the world’s most challenging problems.

Rewarding Career
At CRS, you will find extensive learning resources and opportunities for professional development and career growth. Staff are encouraged to own their own development by taking advantage of a variety of learning resources provided by leading content providers. CRS also provides managerial and leadership courses as well as tuition assistance for those pursuing degrees and certifications. With many opportunities for learning and advancement, CRS staff often grow in positions of greater responsibility within CRS.

Where We Work
CRS employs over 7,000 staff working in more than 100 countries around the world. Our employees work with and through partner organizations, developing and implementing relief and development programs across multiple sectors, including emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, water, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding.

As you consider a career with CRS, we invite you to discover more about where we work by viewing the highlighted countries below. We hope you find a place where you can use your passion, skills, and experience to realize your full potential.