Love Your Neighbor

Catholic Charities USA

STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK 2026–2030

About Catholic Charities

Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) is the national membership organization for Catholic Charities agencies throughout the United States and its territories, providing them valuable support and resources. We were founded in 1910 by men and women who believed that the collective efforts of the Catholic Church to faithfully serve people in need could change the course of poverty in our nation. 

Last year, the 168 Catholic Charities agencies in every corner of the nation served more than 16 million of our at-risk neighbors regardless of their faith or background — people without homes, those who are unemployed or underemployed, children who are hungry or malnourished, elderly persons who are isolated, vulnerable migrants and refugees on the move, families recovering from natural disasters, pregnant women and new mothers in need and persons with disabilities who have inadequate care. 

Each agency falls under the auspices of its local bishop/archbishop and serves the needs of the community in which it is located. 

“It is a love that is generous, not possessive; a love that forgives without question; a love that reaches out and never abandons others.”

Mission

The mission of Catholic Charities is to provide service to people, families and communities in need, to advocate for justice in social structures and to call the entire church and all people of good will to do the same.

Love Your Neighbor

The gospels are filled with lessons — some practical, some profound — on how to lead a moral life. But when Jesus is pressed to identify the most important commandment, he names two. First, you must “love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength.” Second, you “shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:29–30).

Consistently loving both God and our neighbors is not always easy. But Pope Leo XIV has encouraged us to look to Jesus himself for examples and inspiration. “It is a love that is generous, not possessive; a love that forgives without question; a love that reaches out and never abandons others,” the Holy Father said. “In Christ, God made himself a neighbor to each and every man and woman. That is why each of us can and should become a neighbor to all whom we meet. Imitating the example of Jesus, the Savior of the world, we too are called to bring consolation and hope, above all to those who are experiencing discouragement and disappointment.” 

For more than a century, the Catholic Charities network has offered people of goodwill a vehicle to do just that. Over time, our services, priorities and leadership have evolved; the mission has not. 

We exist to alleviate, reduce and prevent human suffering throughout the United States — and to lovingly accompany our neighbors on paths to brighter futures. 

As we have once again embarked on a process to align our work with our current reality, we have forged new strategies to support our agencies and enhance their ability to come, like the Samaritan and the Innkeeper in the parable of the Good Samaritan, to the aid of all those they encounter who are in need. And we invite you to join us in this life-giving, merciful work, through which we may collectively love and honor God by recognizing and prioritizing the needs of our brothers and sisters in Christ, and love our neighbors as ourselves through the vast ministries of Catholic Charities. 

The Process

The Second Vatican Council document, Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World: Gaudium et Spes, says the church must “recognize and understand the world in which we live, its explanations, its longings and its often dramatic characteristics.” It is what the church calls the “signs of the times.”

As Catholic Charities USA embarked on a strategic planning process, it too was drawn to listen intently and to analyze the signs of the times. Our agencies serve communities in the United States and its territories that are ever-evolving, where opportunities and obstacles shift from year to year; our strategic planning process needed to reflect that reality.

“The joys and the hopes, the griefs and the anxieties of the men of this age, especially those who are poor or in any way afflicted, these are the joys and hopes, the griefs and anxieties of the followers of Christ.” 

Second Vatican Council, Gaudium Et Spes, 1965 

Deep Listening

CCUSA spent months listening to the voices of those who serve in our communities. These inputs included: 

• Reflection on prior planning processes and strategies. 
• Listening sessions with Diocesan Directors of member agencies to ensure the plan is grounded in their most urgent needs. 
• Extensive input sessions with CCUSA’s staff, Board of Directors, donors and external stakeholders and peers. 
• Input conversations with more than 500 member agency staff attending CCUSA’s annual meeting. 
• Additional interviews and research with Diocesan Directors to advance ideas and test the plan framework. 

See. Judge. Act.

In the planning process, Catholic Charities USA employed See Judge Act, a three-step method used in Catholic Social Teaching to analyze social situations and guide action. 

Seeing involves observing our current reality and studying its political, economic and cultural dimensions. 

Judging seeks to make sense of the reality defined by grounding ourselves in theological reflection involving Scripture and Catholic Social Teaching. 

Acting is based in our three-part mission of service, advocacy and convening aimed at transforming the social structures that contribute to suffering and injustice. This stage also includes evaluating the effectiveness of our actions and adjusting as needed. 

Signs of the Times

The signs of the times are ever-changing with each new generation and turn in history, including political shifts and social struggles grounded in the value of human dignity; advancements in technology; gains and losses in the rights of marginalized communities; and the state of religious practice. CCUSA identified the following signs of the times in its listening efforts.  

Localization: Our neighborhoods are the places in which we build our homes, surrounded by family and friends. They are the building blocks of our cities, counties and states. The vitality of our neighbors — each family, child, senior, individual — directly affects the vibrancy of our community. At times such as these, when national policy and politics, media and the internet seem to divide more than unite us, localized strategies to solve poverty are more necessary than ever. 

Food Insecurity: For many Americans, the rising cost of living — including groceries — is pushing them to the breaking point. According to 2025 polling by AP/NORC, 53% of people said the price of groceries is a “major” stress. Little wonder. Since 2020, overall food costs have gone up by 26%, per the Consumer Price Index. These increases are imperiling the fragile existence of many of our most vulnerable neighbors. 

53%

of people said the price of groceries
is a “major” stress.

39%

of Americans ages 18 to 34 reported feeling lonely or isolated always or often.

Social Service Personnel Shortage: Our agencies are facing a dearth of available, qualified individuals to engage in social work and education- and health-related occupations. While this problem is not limited to Catholic Charities agencies, staffing shortages, growing operational costs and rising demands for the social services provided by staff and volunteers have strained the operations of the Catholic Charities network.

Mental Health: Across the country, rates of anxiety, depression and other mental health challenges are increasing. Young people are especially vulnerable. CCUSA research in 2025 showed that 39 percent of Americans ages 18 to 34 reported feeling lonely or isolated always or often, dramatically more than all other age groups. Broadly, poverty can be both a cause of mental health issues and a consequence. Factors such as job loss, unstable housing, addiction and food insecurity are key contributors to poor mental health for those living in poverty. 

60%

have borrowed money or assumed debt to pay their rent.

73%

of renters feel “cost burdened,” meaning they’re spending
more than 30% of their income on housing. 

Polarization: Our modern world is filled with forces, from extreme political activists to a fragmented media environment, that manipulate us into feeling as if we have nothing in common. Nearly any issue, from homelessness to immigration, can be used as a wedge to divide us and sow distrust. The country yearns for reminders of what collectively, deep down, we know to be true: we all share the same hopes, the same worries and the same God-given dignity that should be honored and respected.

Housing Costs: Skyrocketing housing costs are forcing many of our neighbors to make hard choices about other necessities in their lives. The HUD Housing Network reports that 73% of renters feel “cost burdened,” meaning they’re spending more than 30% of their income on housing. And more than 60% have borrowed money or assumed debt to pay their rent. These costs trickle down to other aspects of life, with 44% saying they’ve cut back on groceries to pay for housing expenses, and 28% cutting back on retirement and other savings.  

The Decline of Trust in America

Americans trust each other far less today than decades ago — a decrease of 12 percentage points over 46 years.

1972

46%

said “most people can be trusted.”

2018

34%

said “most people can be trusted.”

Disillusionment: A decline in trust and participation in institutions and social structures is evident. According to Pew Research Center, Americans trust each other less than they did a few decades ago, with the share of adults who said “most people can be trusted” down from 46% in 1972 to 34% in 2018. Pew reported in 2024 that only 22% of U.S. adults said they trust the federal government to do the right thing just about always or most of the time. Gallup found in 2025 that the share of Americans who had a great deal or quite a lot of confidence in the church as an institution stood at 36% — historically low, but up 4 percentage points from the prior year.  

Natural Disasters: Weather-related disasters — such as flash flooding, hurricanes, tornadoes and wildfires — have grown in frequency and severity in recent years, causing more Americans who may already have been barely getting by month-to-month to be vulnerable to homelessness and food insecurity.   

Programs and Services

Each Catholic Charities agency around the country tailors its ministries to the specific needs of the most vulnerable members of its community. While programs and services vary widely from agency to agency and community to community, CCUSA provides support and guidance to its member agencies in the following wide-ranging categories. 

Food and Nutrition

Catholic Charities is committed to ensuring vulnerable populations have access to healthy food options — through foodbanks, pantries, schools, child and adult daycare centers, summer lunch programs, congregate dining settings, community farms and more.  

Affordable Housing

Our agencies are among the nation’s largest providers of safe, decent, affordable housing. We believe that access to housing is a human right, one that upholds the dignity of all people.

Integrated Health

Catholic Charities believes that through care for the whole person — their physical, mental and spiritual well-being, or what the church calls integral human development — everyone can realize their full potential. 

Disaster Relief

CCUSA is the official domestic relief agency of the U.S. Catholic Church. Through natural and human-made disasters, CCUSA’s disaster response team and local agency staff combine their expertise to mobilize quickly, responding with aid on-site and providing support on the long road to recovery. 

Workforce Development & Social Enterprise

Building community alliances and developing social enterprise business models contribute to alleviating poverty. Successful model programs have included culinary arts training, building-trades certification and interpretation
and translation services. 

Immigration & Refugee Services

Catholic Charities agencies serve migrants and refugees not because they are newcomers to the U.S., but because they are vulnerable and in need, like all those we serve. This work is a response to the gospel mandate to feed the hungry, clothe the naked and welcome the stranger. 

Other Vulnerable Populations

Additionally, Catholic Charities agencies care for populations that are especially vulnerable because of life events or circumstances. These populations include children, youth and families; pregnant women and new mothers; seniors; veterans; individuals with disabilities; and formerly incarcerated persons. 

Our Strategies

As a national membership organization supporting our 168 local member agencies across the U.S. and its territories, we were guided by one question during our planning process: 

Will this help our members to more effectively and efficiently serve people living in poverty and as members of vulnerable populations? 

Throughout this process, our agencies asked us to provide more peer-to-peer learning, especially where localized and regional connectivity can embolden new opportunities; to facilitate independent member agencies working together for a stronger national presence; to advocate for them federally while advising on expanded state and local needs; to grow both data acquisition and evaluation efforts, in-network and nationally, to assist with grants and reporting; and to deepen our support of their non-programmatic efforts. 

Reflecting on that feedback, we now seek to strengthen our support for our network through three areas of focus. 

Strategic Initiatives

Our three strategies will be executed over the next five years and will include these initiatives: 

Lead Nationally

• Redefine the asset development process for how CCUSA identifies and processes goods, services and supplies for Catholic Charities agencies, expanding roles with national suppliers and corporate collaborators. 
• Advocate for bipartisan federal legislation and regulations that address poverty and serve vulnerable populations, increasing coordination with coalitions and developing relationships with policymakers and politicians.  
• Identify prospective initiatives associated with the signs of the times to explore their implementation with collaborators — both corporate and philanthropic. Engage in a process of initiating, vetting and implementing prospective collaborations to raise awareness of Catholic Charities and increase funding opportunities for the network.  
• Continue to deepen relationships and grow collaboration with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and individual bishops across the country to ensure we are responding together as one church to the needs
  of the most vulnerable. 
• Grow brand awareness through paid media campaigns, including increased media funding and coordination with local agencies to amplify national messaging. 
• Increase earned media efforts with national, Catholic and social services media to further build the Catholic Charities voice nationally. Engage a curated group of network leaders to speak to various facets of Catholic Charities work at the national level and expand the roster of spokespeople within CCUSA to speak to national trends and developing events. 

Connect Regionally

• Embrace a new regional model for member services by deploying six CCUSA regional coordinators who live in the region they will support. Expand the localization of member services by focusing on the needs of each region and Catholic Charities agency, as well as on CCUSA’s national programmatic and non-programmatic priorities.  
• Introduce regional in-person and virtual convenings to increase the participation of agency leaders and staff to share common community opportunities and obstacles. 
• Explore the expansion of a regional hub-and-spoke model currently used for deployment of disaster aid and food pantry items into other programmatic areas to grow a base of goods and supplies for distribution. 
• Expand training for agencies in state and local advocacy. Broaden relationships with state Catholic conferences in regional-level policy work. 

Strengthen Locally

• Develop greater data sophistication to understand, support and amplify the network’s impact by piloting the collection of new data that will inspire greater confidence and investment in the network’s influence. Establish CCUSA as a research hub for our network, our service populations and the public more broadly. 
• Refocus on training agency staff on foundational advocacy principles to better enable them to engage their local and state representatives.  
• Develop or expand non-programmatic assistance for agencies to help them with best practices and retention in areas to include Catholic identity, staff formation, board governance, fundraising, financial management, information technology, human resources, marketing and communications, and more. 
• Reassess how best to utilize CCConnect, the network’s intranet, for the sharing of best practices, resources, general information and regional organization. 

A Legacy of Mercy and Love

 The Evolution of the Strategic Direction of Catholic Charities

The National Charter: 1910 

In 1891, Pope Leo XIII’s encyclical Rerum Novarum (Rights and Duties of Capital and Labor) caught the imagination of the church by introducing major elements of Catholic social doctrine through a new “reading of the signs of the times.” Catholic Charities in the United States responded with its own reading of the signs of the times as it convened independent diocesan “bureaus” and created its national charter in 1910. The charter sought to professionalize the movement and challenged it to become “an attorney for the poor.” 

The 1910 founding of the National Conference of Catholic Charities (NCCC) provided a national voice for the diocesan bureaus to represent the poor. Inspired by the 1919 U.S. Catholic Bishops’ Program for Social Reconstruction, the NCCC became a lead advocate for the development of federal action on the social safety net, the expansion of child welfare services, housing legislation and immigration reform. During the Great Depression, Catholic Charities bureaus played a critical role in the provision of assistance to needy children and families, and NCCC advocacy helped lead to the passage of the National Housing Act (1934), providing more affordable housing and home mortgages for working-class and poor families. 

The Cadre Report (1972)

The Second Vatican Council (1962–1965) called the entire church to be immersed in the modern world, responding to its “joys and hopes, griefs and anxieties.” The Catholic Charities movement captured this energy and initiated the Cadre Report, Toward a Renewed Catholic Charities (1972). Our mission to “serve, transform and humanize social structures, and convene the church and others to do the same” serves us to this day as the impetus for all that we undertake. The Cadre Report provided inspiration for our work locally and as a national movement through its articulation of a theology of Catholic Charities. The War on Poverty in the 1960s and 1970s led to the further growth of the Catholic Charities movement. The federal government’s preferences for funding local, community-based organizations bred many faith-based partnerships. The Cadre Report, steeped in a new understanding of the need to engage in direct services as well as in community organizing and community development, refocused our efforts in collaboration with parishes and local neighborhood and civic groups. 

Vision 2000 (1996)

In 1987, Pope Saint John Paul II visited CCUSA’s Annual Gathering in San Antonio, Texas, shortly before the publication of Centesimus Annus (The Hundredth Year), which reaffirmed the elements of Catholic social teaching on charity and justice laid out in Rerum Novarum nearly a century earlier. Catholic Charities then engaged its entire membership for three years (1993–1996) in the creation of VISION 2000. We recommitted ourselves to the threefold mission of service, advocacy and convening. VISION 2000 also directed our national and local energies toward our relationships with those we serve, with our communities, with the church and with each other.

The Centennial: 100 Years of the National Catholic Charities Movement (2010)

In his encyclical Deus Caritas Est (God is love, 2006), Pope Benedict XVI inspired us to “form our hearts” as “organizers of love” and identified the threefold duty of our faith: to proclaim the Word of God, celebrate the sacraments and exercise the ministry of charity. The Catholic Charities movement responded with our renewed Code of Ethics, our recommitment to Catholic identity and formation and our collaborative network engagement. CCUSA celebrated the 100th anniversary of its founding in 2010 with poverty summits throughout the country and a focus on developing “system-changing” and “market-driven” solutions to complex problems. 

A New Moment (2015)

Throughout his pontificate, Pope Francis emphasized — through his words and his actions — the obligation of all Catholics to offer accompaniment, service and mercy to the most vulnerable among us. Guided by his inspirational example, CCUSA sought to re-engage the Catholic Charities network to continue to see the face of Jesus in each person we serve and to respond to those who knock on our doors for immediate alleviation of suffering. A New Moment did just that, focusing CCUSA’s work around a new set of program priorities that supported the marginalized during a time of intense political upheaval.