About CARE

CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. We place special focus on working alongside poor women because, equipped with the proper resources, women have the power to help whole families and entire communities escape poverty. Women are at the heart of CARE's community-based efforts to improve basic education, prevent the spread of disease, increase access to clean water and sanitation, expand economic opportunity and protect natural resources. CARE also delivers emergency aid to survivors of war and natural disasters, and helps people rebuild their lives.

Click here for answers to some of our most frequently asked questions (FAQs).


Be Our Partner

Every day of the year, CARE helps women, their families and communities transform their lives through our poverty-fighting and disaster-relief programs. You can help us with our daily fight against poverty by joining a special group of CARE supporters — Partners for Change.

Lasting change doesn't happen overnight. Our work attacking poverty head-on requires a long-term commitment — and when you join CARE's Partners for Change, your support will help create a better future for all.

Join us today >


Our Vision

We seek a world of hope, tolerance and social justice, where poverty has been overcome and people live in dignity and security. CARE International will be a global force and a partner of choice within a worldwide movement dedicated to ending poverty. We will be known everywhere for our unshakable commitment to the dignity of people.


Our Mission

Our mission is to serve individuals and families in the poorest communities in the world. Drawing strength from our global diversity, resources and experience, we promote innovative solutions and are advocates for global responsibility. We facilitate lasting change by:

  • Strengthening capacity for self-help
  • Providing economic opportunity
  • Delivering relief in emergencies
  • Influencing policy decisions at all levels
  • Addressing discrimination in all its forms

Guided by the aspirations of local communities, we pursue our mission with both excellence and compassion because the people whom we serve deserve nothing less.


Our Board of Directors

CARE's board of directors is the organization's governing body, elected by the members at an annual meeting. All members are responsible for gaining a basic understanding and initiating action in support of CARE's mission, goals and programs. This includes assisting in expanding CARE's outreach and increasing its visibility and donor support. All board members are volunteers and serve without compensation.


Our Executive Team

The board of directors appoints CARE's president, treasurer and secretary. The president appoints the rest of CARE's executive team, including the chief operating officer, general counsel and senior vice presidents of finance, IT and administration, human resources, program, and external relations.


Our History

CARE is one of the world's largest private international humanitarian organizations, committed to helping families in poor communities improve their lives and achieve lasting victories over poverty. Founded in 1945 to provide relief to survivors of World War II, CARE quickly became a trusted vehicle for the compassion and generosity of millions. Click here to read more about the history of CARE.



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To donate today, please call us. Within the United States: 1-800-521-CARE or 1-800-521-2273 (24 hours)

Outside the United States: +1-404-681-2552 (M-F, 8:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m. ET)

CARE is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization (EIN/tax ID number: 13-168-5039).


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