Important note on the timeliness of ratings

The IRS is significantly delayed in processing nonprofits' annual tax filings (Forms 990). As a result, the Financial and Accountability & Transparency score for Catholic Relief Services is outdated and the overall rating may not be representative of its current operations. Please check with the charity directly for any questions you may have.

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Star Rating System by Charity Navigator

Charity Navigator evaluates a nonprofit organization’s financial health including measures of stability, efficiency and sustainability. We also track accountability and transparency policies to ensure the good governance and integrity of the organization.

Good

This charity's score is 83.94, earning it a 3-Star rating. Donors can "Give with Confidence" to this charity.

This score is calculated from two sub-scores:

Finance: 77.50 View details
Accountability & Transparency: 97.00 View details

This score represents Form 990 data from 2019, the latest year published by the IRS.

View this organization’s historical ratings.

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Star Rated Report

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Program Expense

Program Expense Ratio

93.0%

The Program Expense Ratio is determined by Program Expenses divided by Total Expense (average of most recent three 990s).

This measure reflects the percent of its total expenses a charity spends on the programs and services it exists to deliver. Dividing a charity's average program expenses by its average total functional expenses yields this percentage. We calculate the charity's average expenses over its three most recent fiscal years.

Source: IRS Form 990

Administrative Expenses

3.4%

As reported by charities on their IRS Form 990, this measure reflects what percent of its total budget a charity spends on overhead, administrative staff and associated costs, and organizational meetings. Dividing a charity's average administrative expenses by its average total functional expenses yields this percentage. We calculate the charity's average expenses over its three most recent fiscal years.

Source: IRS Form 990

Fundraising Expenses

3.4%

This measure reflects what a charity spends to raise money. Fundraising expenses can include campaign printing, publicity, mailing, and staffing and costs incurred in soliciting donations, memberships, and grants. Dividing a charity's average fundraising expenses by its average total functional expenses yields this percentage. We calculate the charity's average expenses over its three most recent fiscal years.

Source: IRS Form 990

Liabilities to Assets Ratio

67.8%

The Liabilities to Assets Ratio is determined by Total Liabilities divided by Total Assets (most recent 990).

Part of our goal in rating the financial performance of charities is to help donors assess the financial capacity and sustainability of a charity. As do organizations in other sectors, charities must be mindful of their management of total liabilites in relation to their total assets. This ratio is an indicator of an organization’s solvency and or long term sustainability. Dividing a charity's total liabilities by its total assets yields this percentage.

Source: IRS Form 990

Fundraising Efficiency

$0.03

The amount spent to raise $1 in charitable contributions. To calculate a charity's fundraising efficiency, we divide its average fundraising expenses by the average total contributions it receives. We calculate the charity's average expenses and average contributions over its three most recent fiscal years.

Source: IRS Form 990

Working Capital Ratio

0.15 years

Determines how long a charity could sustain its level of spending using its net available assets, or working capital, as reported on its most recently filed Form 990. We include in a charity's working capital unrestricted and temporarily restricted net assets, and exclude permanently restricted net assets. Dividing these net available assets in the most recent year by a charity's average total expenses, yields the working capital ratio. We calculate the charity's average total expenses over its three most recent fiscal years.

Source: IRS Form 990

Program Expense Growth

-1.54%

We compute the average annual growth of program expenses using the following formula: [(Y_n/Y₀)^(1/n)]-1, where Y₀ is a charity's program expenses in the first year of the interval analyzed, Y_n is the charity's program expenses in the most recent year, and n is the interval of years passed between Y₀ and Y_n.

Source: IRS Form 990

Governance

Charity Navigator looks to confirm on the Form 990 that the organization has these governance practices in place.

Sources Include: IRS Form 990

Governance:
Independent Voting Board Members ... (More)
No Material Diversion of Assets ... (More) A diversion of assets – any unauthorized conversion or use of the organization's assets other than for the organization's authorized purposes, including but not limited to embezzlement or theft – can seriously call into question a charity's financial integrity. We check the charity's last two Forms 990 to see if the charity has reported any diversion of assets. If the charity does report a diversion, then we check to see if it complied with the Form 990 instructions by describing what happened and its corrective action. This metric will be assigned to one of the following categories: Full Credit: There has been no diversion of assets within the last two years. Partial Credit: There has been a diversion of assets within the last two years and the charity has used Schedule O on the Form 990 to explain: the nature of the diversion, the amount of money or property involved and the corrective action taken to address the matter. In this situation, we deduct 7 points from the charity's Accountability and Transparency score. No Credit: There has been a diversion of assets within the last two years and the charity's explanation on Schedule O is either non-existent or not sufficient. In this case, we deduct 15 points from the charity's Accountability and Transparency score. (Less)
Audited Financials Prepared by Independent Accountant ... (More) Audited financial statements provide important information about financial accountability and accuracy. They should be prepared by an independent accountant with oversight from an audit committee. (It is not necessary that the audit committee be a separate committee. Often at smaller charities, it falls within the responsibilities of the finance committee or the executive committee.) The committee provides an important oversight layer between the management of the organization, which is responsible for the financial information reported, and the independent accountant, who reviews the financials and issues an opinion based on its findings. We check the charity's Form 990 reporting to see if it meets this criteria. Full Credit: The charity's audited financials were prepared by an independent accountant with an audit oversight committee. Partial Credit: The charity's audited financials were prepared by an independent accountant, but it did not have an audit oversight committee. In this case, we deduct 7 points from the charity's Accountability and Transparency score. No Credit: The charity did not have its audited financials prepared by an independent accountant. In this case, we deduct 15 points from the charity's Accountability and Transparency score. (Less)
Does Not Provide Loan(s) to or Receive Loan(s) From Related Parties ... (More)
Documents Board Meeting Minutes ... (More)
Distributes 990 to Board Before Filing ... (More)
Compensates Board ... (More)

Policies

Charity Navigator looks to confirm on the Form 990, or for some metrics on the charity's website, that the organization has these policies in place.

Sources Include: IRS Form 990 and organization's website

Policies:
Conflict of Interest ... (More)
Whistleblower ... (More)
Records Retention and Destruction ... (More)
CEO Compensation Process ... (More)
Donor Privacy ... (More) Donors can be reluctant to contribute to a charity when their name, address, or other basic information may become part of donor lists that are exchanged or sold, resulting in an influx of charitable solicitations from other organizations. Our analysts check the charity's website to see if the organization has a donor privacy policy in place and what it does and does not cover. Privacy policies are assigned to one of the following categories: Yes: This charity has a written donor privacy policy published on its website, which states unambiguously that (1) it will not share or sell a donor's personal information with anyone else, nor send donor mailings on behalf of other organizations or (2) it will only share or sell personal information once the donor has given the charity specific permission to do so. Opt-out: The charity has a written privacy policy published on its website which enables donors to tell the charity to remove their names and contact information from lists the charity shares or sells. How a donor can have themselves removed from a list differs from one charity to the next, but any and all opt-out policies require donors to take specific action to protect their privacy. No: This charity either does not have a written donor privacy policy in place to protect their contributors' personal information, or the existing policy does not meet our criteria. The privacy policy must be specific to donor information. A general website policy which references "visitor" or "user" personal information will not suffice. A policy that refers to donor information collected on the website is also not sufficient as the policy must be comprehensive and applicable to both online and offline donors. The existence of a privacy policy of any type does not prohibit the charity itself from contacting the donor for informational, educational, or solicitation purposes. (Less)	Partial

Transparency

Charity Navigator looks to confirm on the Form 990, or for some metrics on the charity's website, that the organization makes this information easily accessible.

Sources Include: IRS Form 990 and organization's website

Transparency:
CEO Salary Listed on 990 ... (More)
Board of Directors Listed on Website ... (More)
Key Staff Listed on Website ... (More)
Audited Financial Statements on Website ... (More)
Form 990 Available on Website ... (More)

Additional Information

Unscored

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Total Revenue and Expenses

No Data Available

Revenue and expense data is not available for this organization. This data is only available if this charity has at least one year of electronically-filed Form 990 data filed within the last six years.

Salary of Key Persons

Presented here are this organizations key compensated staff members as identified by our analysts. This compensation data includes salary, cash bonuses and expense accounts and is displayed exactly how it is reported to the IRS. The amounts do not include nontaxable benefits, deferred compensation, or other amounts not reported on Form W-2. In some cases, these amounts may include compensation from related organizations. Read the IRS policies for compensation reporting

Sean Callahan, President

$470,173 (0.05% of Total Expenses)

Current CEO and Board Chair can be found in the Leadership & Adaptability report below.

Source: IRS Form 990.

Business Master File Data

Below are some key data points from the Exempt Organization IRS Business Master File (BMF) for this organization. Learn more about the BMF on the IRS website

Activities:

4947(a)(2) trust (BMF activity code: 928)

Foundation Status:

Organization which receives a substantial part of its support from a governmental unit or the general public 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) (BMF foundation code: 15)

Affiliation:

Subordinate - the organization is a subordinate in a group ruling. (BMF affiliation code: 9)

Data Sources: IRS Forms 990

The Form 990 is a document that nonprofit organizations file with the IRS annually. We leverage finance and accountability data from it to form Encompass ratings. Click here to view this organization's Forms 990 on the IRS website (if any are available).

Pandemic Response

Due to the unprecedented nature of the pandemic, we give charities such as this one the opportunity to share the story of COVID's impact on them. Charities may submit their own pandemic responses through their nonprofit portal.

Catholic Relief Services reported being impacted by COVID-19 in the following ways:

Program Delivery
Revenue
Staffing
Administrative Capacity
Grants Received
Grants Sent

How COVID-19 impacted the organization's operations financially:

Thanks to our committed supporters, CRS is in a strong financial position. With the COVID-19 crisis, as an organization we have been resourceful, nimble, and actively adjusting our programming needs to accommodate the change in funding and need. CRS actively engaged institutional partners to integrate COVID-19 prevention into our current programs. We are working with our key institutional partners to explore new opportunities for funding. But amidst all this uncertainty, one thing that that we know for sure is that our donors are deeply committed to caring for the most vulnerable around the world and to doing good even in the most challenging of times.

How COVID-19 impacted the organization's delivery of programs:

The pandemic has affected the operating environment in which our program teams and partners develop, implement and monitor programming activities. Changes included travel restrictions, reduced public transport options, temporary relocation of staff outside of their country of assignment, government-imposed office closures, reduced access, or ruptures in the supply of program inputs and supplies, reduced access to target populations and efforts to ensure physical distancing. The pandemic also impacts the populations we serve including, increased vulnerability due to loss of income, loss of access to basic services and/or the need for care and treatment due to infection. All these factors impact programming continuity and require a re-prioritization of activities, modifications to program modalities for implementation and monitoring, the initiation of new programming and extensive donor follow-up for approvals for critical adaptations, redirecting of funds and request for top-ups.

How this organization adapted to changing conditions caused by COVID-19:

CRS has worked to expand and adapt programming to prevent the spread and reduce the risk of COVID‑19. CRS addresses the needs of the highest‑risk populations—older people, people with disabilities, people with compromised immune systems, their caregivers and children. We are focusing on those living in poverty with no social safety nets. We are working to mitigate the risks facing refugee and migrant communities; who are often in high‑density areas, in transit or in precarious conditions, confined living spaces or multi‑generational households with limited access to water, health services and infrastructure. Responding to the COVID-19 pandemic has been integrated into all aspects of our programming. In addition to supporting vulnerable communities, we are also help individuals and communities learn about COVID-19 and how to limit transmissions. By implementing safeguards, like masks and social distancing, we can complete our programming, while also increasing health education.

Innovations the organization intends to continue permanently after the pandemic:

The virtual and remote working systems CRS has created have been successful. Because of that, we will continue to support staff and our work in remote/home offices. In addition, despite the challenges created by COVID to do our work in the field, it has forced us to be creative and develop innovative, digitally based ways to track communities, families and individuals needing assistance, how to distribute supplies and vouchers in more organized and effective ways, and other adaptations to our programs. Due to the increase in efficiency, CRS will keep these operational changes going forward.

Historical Ratings

Date Published	Form 990 FYE	Overall Score	Overall Rating
Rating Version: 2.1
4/1/2021	2019	83.94
3/1/2021	2018	88.68
4/1/2019	2017	90.91
6/1/2017	2016	90.91
11/1/2016	2015	85.18
6/1/2016	2014	83.94

Rating Version: 2.0
5/1/2015	2014	81.64
5/1/2015	2013	81.66
9/1/2013	2012	81.72
7/1/2012	2011	93.25
6/1/2012	2011	90.96
This organization received multiple star ratings within this fiscal year, due to an update to its Accountability and Transparency data and/or the receipt of an amended Form 990.

Previous: Finance & Accountability / Next: Leadership & Adaptability

Impact & Results

This score estimates the actual impact a nonprofit has on the lives of those it serves, and determines whether it is making good use of donor resources to achieve that impact.

Impact & Results Score

Not Currently Scored

Catholic Relief Services cannot currently be evaluated by our Encompass Rating Impact & Results methodology because either (A) it is eligible, but we have not yet received data; (B) we have not yet developed an algorithm to estimate its programmatic impact; (C) its programs are not direct services; or (D) it is not heavily reliant on contributions from individual donors.

Note: The absence of a score does not indicate a positive or negative assessment, it only indicates that we have not yet evaluated the organization.

Learn more about Impact & Results.

Do you work at Catholic Relief Services? Join the waitlist for an updated Impact & Results score.

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Previous: Impact & Results / Next: Culture & Community

Leadership & Adaptability

This score provides an assessment of the organization's leadership capacity, strategic thinking and planning, and ability to innovate or respond to changes in constituent demand/need or other relevant social and economic conditions to achieve the organization's mission.

Leadership & Adaptability Score

100

out of 100

The score earned by Catholic Relief Services is a passing score. This score has no effect on the organization's Star Rating.

Encompass Rating V4 provides an evaluation of the organization's Leadership & Adaptability through the nonprofit organization submitting a survey response directly to Charity Navigator.

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Leadership & Adaptability Report

100

of 100 points

Mission

The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization’s mission

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.

Source: Nonprofit submitted responses

Vision

The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization’s vision.

Rooted in Catholic social teaching and informed by our lived experience, our faith calls us to give a weighted concern to the needs, capabilities and hopes for the future of people living in conditions of poverty, violence, vulnerability and marginalization. At CRS we have developed a conceptual framework for our work—our integral human development model—that places the dignity of the human person at the center of all that we do. Our aspirations are to save lives and alleviate suffering, accelerate the end of poverty, hunger and preventable disease, and cultivate just and peaceful societies. We work to catalyze truly transformational change by meeting immediate needs while addressing—in close collaboration with local and international Church, civil society, government and private sector partners—the complex, multidimensional, and systemic nature of poverty, vulnerability and injustice.

Source: Nonprofit submitted responses

Strategic Goals

The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking and goal setting through sharing their most important strategic goals.

Goal One: All people Live in Just and Peaceful Societies

Goal Type: Grow, expand, scale or increase access to the existing programs and services.

Goal Two: All People Survive and Thrive in the Face of Disasters

Goal Type: New program(s) based on observed changes in needs among our constituencies/communities served.

Goal Three: All People Achieve Dignified and Resilient Livelihoods in Flourishing Landscapes

Goal Type: Grow, expand, scale or increase access to the existing programs and services.

Source: Nonprofit submitted responses

Leadership Development

The nonprofit provides evidence of investment in leadership development

Describe an investment in leadership

CRS is committed to supporting staff and leadership in their development of leadership roles. We are dedicated to putting our faith into action to catalyze transformational change. How we deliver our mission matters as much as what we do. This includes ensuring that our systems and structures are congruent with our agency values, vision and mission. Likewise, when our colleagues embody our agency’s values, our workplace culture exemplifies Respect, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (REDI) for all. CRS has created a REDI department to implement these efforts and ensure we are transforming our organizational culture, and representation of staff. This commitment will allow staff to grow into leadership roles, and our leadership to continue to lead, empower and develop inclusivity.

Source: Nonprofit submitted responses

Mobilizing for Mission

The nonprofit provides evidence of leadership through focusing externally and mobilizing resources for the mission.

This organization mobilizes for mission in the following ways:

Strategic Partnerships
Networks of Collective Impact Efforts
Thought Leadership
Raising Awareness
Community Building
Policy Advocacy

What are this organization’s external mobilizaton efforts?

Mobilizing the mission of CRS is a leadership priority. Key staff, across all sectors, engage in thought leadership activities like presenting at conferences and publishing works. CRS also works in collaboration with other partners and organizations to maximize our efforts on the ground. These strategic partnerships allow us to focus our relief efforts without duplicating efforts. Additionally, CRS contributes to divisional movement building strategy by developing and implementing bi-lingual issue-based campaigns that engage supporters in the United States in strategic advocacy and fundraising action that directly supports CRS’ vision and goals. The campaign oversees bilingual and bi-cultural messaging and content development to support the establishment, growth, and retention of chapter members and chapter networks, as well as mass media audiences within key audience segments such as youth, young adults, Hispanic constituencies and others.

Source: Nonprofit submitted responses

Story of Adaptability

The nonprofit has an opportunity to tell the story of how the organization adapted to tremendous external changes in the last year.

This past year, our goal has been to help people survive the covid crisis with dignity and restore their lives and communities. This strategy prioritized several key areas to inform country‑specific programmatic actions to help families, communities and countries in the immediate response to the COVID‑19 pandemic. Our foundation for coordinated and effective programming as the crisis evolved, and leveraged the unique strengths of CRS and our partner network. Our strategy depended on effective coordination among multiple actors, especially governments, civil society and faith‑based organizations, to reduce transmission, decrease morbidity and mortality, and mitigate economic and social impacts. Now more than ever, a coordinated system‑wide response has been necessary to reach extended numbers of people with limited resources, and in alignment with government recovery programs. We built on lessons learned from prior responses to disease outbreaks and other crises. And we are building on our existing health programming, where we operate from the highest levels of health systems—delivering health supplies at national levels and working with government partners to introduce new technologies for greater efficiency—to the most remote areas through our local partners and faith‑based networks.

Source: Nonprofit submitted responses