[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_text]There are a few Catholic organizations that help the poor.  There are a couple of them are out there to do good, but there is one you’ll probably want to stay away from.  Charities can give anywhere from 10%-90% of the money raised to its mission.  This includes direct grants to organizations, countries, or individuals.  The organization may also start or fund a project either in the US or abroad.  Sometimes with charities administrative fees and other expenses can reach as high as 90% of annual earnings.  I put together a list of a few Catholic charities in which are national or international.  I understand that there are many local and regional Catholic charities, but it will require a lot of time to assemble.  It’s something I would definitely like to put together in the future.  Hopefully this list will allow you to make an informed decision on what organization to give your money to.[/fusion_text][fusion_text]


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List of Catholic Organizations that Help the Poor

Catholic Relief Services – An absolutely incredible 501(c)3 organization that assists in funding climate change, war-torn countries, and areas struck by natural disasters.  In 2015, a monstrous 93% of money raised went to their charitable programs.  This is an exceptionally high number.  Also, any amount given is tax deductible up to the extent allowable by law.  According to their 2014 990 filing, they sent money to seven different regions which includes Central, Southern, East, and West Africa, Latin America & Caribbean, Europe to Central Asia, and East & Southeast Asia.  The large majority of money spent was in Africa accounting for about 63% of total expenditures and investments in the region.  They are also the overseas arm of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.  Catholic Relief Services’s current project now to use $50 million over the next five years towards assisting those in the Gaza strip.[/fusion_text][fusion_text]Cross Catholic Outreach – Another great 501(c)3 organization where over 90% of money raised is going towards their mission.  With only about 5% of costs going to maintaining the organization, this is another great organization to place your hard earned money in.  All of the charity’s executives make less than $170,000 which is reasonable for an organization this large.  Their mission statement is “Delivering food, shelter, and hope to the poorest of the poor.”  In 2014, 267 projects were funded expanding across 36 different countries.  Some of the current projects include establishing a better means for education in Ethiopia and Belize, and the assisting of orphans in regions of Africa due to the HIV/AIDS epidemic.[/fusion_text][fusion_text]


[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ last=”no” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_text]Catholic Charities USA – Their main focus is combating poverty in the United States.  They have over 160 agencies across the country.  Personally I think the amount of 338,000 paid to Rev Larry Snyder is a bit extreme.  This is a perfect example of what I’ve talked about in a prior post.  You are going to be the leader of an organization that’s helping the poor, but you are getting paid that kind of money.  I’m sorry, but this makes it a bit difficult to believe in your mission statement.  Some may justify this pay with the amount of work required to run a charitable organization.  I don’t think their heart is in the right place if they can possibly accept that kind of pay from a charitable organization.  Apparently not everyone thinks like I do.  If you are to give any money to a Catholic charity, I would make it to one listed above.  Catholic Charities USA is a 501(c)3 so you can still get the tax benefit, but I’d like to think that people donate money to make a difference, and not just to potentially get a deduction on their tax return.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_text]

[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_text]Unfortunately there are a lot of dishonest people out there, so always do your due diligence.  I know I’ve given a few small synopses above but this won’t cover it.  Give the charity a call or contact them via email.  Make sure that the person you speak with cares about the mission statement.  If you have a charity run by a bunch of people who don’t believe in it, it won’t go anywhere, and you’ll be squandering your money.  You want to put your money where it is going to do good and continue to grow.  There are quite a few sites where you can look into charities at greater depth.  I recommend Charity Navigator.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]