Catholic Relief Services was founded in 1943 by the Catholic Bishops of the United States to serve World War II survivors in Europe. Its mission is to assist impoverished and disadvantaged people overseas, working in the spirit of Catholic Social Teaching to promote the sacredness of human life and the dignity of the human person. Catholic Relief Services approaches emergency relief and long-term development holistically, ensuring that all people, especially the poorest and most vulnerable, are able to participate in the very fullness of life — to have access to basic necessities, health care and education — all within peaceful, just communities. To achieve this, it focuses on six key areas of service: emergencies, hunger, education, health, peace and helping at home.

Since 1988, Catholic Relief Services' microfinance program has been reaching the world's poorest communities with access to financial services that are sustainable over time. CRS' microfinance program is committed to serving the very poor, especially women and vulnerable populations in remote rural communities. CRS' programs target the self-employed poor who have little or no access to formal credit or savings services.