Catholic Charities USA

Catholic Charities USA, one the nation's largest not-for-profit groups, is a network of some 175 Catholic charity agencies nationwide that work to end poverty, support families, and strengthen communities. Catholic Charities USA is the national office for over 1,700 local Catholic Charities agencies and institutions nationwide. Catholic Charities USA provides strong leadership and support to enhance the work of local agencies in their efforts to reduce poverty, support families, and empower communities. Catholic Charities USA helps more than 7 million people each year by providing disaster assistance, emergency financial aid, food services, health clinics, housing services, and mental health counseling. Catholic Charities spends about 90% of its income on program costs; most of its funding (60%) comes from the US government. Although Catholic Charities USA was officially founded in 1910, it traces its roots to 1727 when French nuns started an orphanage in New Orleans.