How Catholic Advocacy Creates Global Impact: CRS Chapters Drive Humanitarian Policy Change

When 139 Catholic communities secured $10.8 billion in humanitarian funding through organized advocacy, they proved that faith-based action creates measurable policy change. This isn’t abstract social justice theory—it’s documented Catholic advocacy impact that transforms global humanitarian response.

Whenever my skeptical friends ask, “What does the Catholic Church do for those in need?”—usually with a raised eyebrow and a hint of mischief—I tell them it’s not just about counting beans. Over 200 million people in 122 countries receive help with issues like poverty and violence through the agency of U.S. Catholics: Catholic Relief Services. But the real magic happens when faith rolls up its sleeves and gets to work, turning divine inspiration into serious good deeds through strategic Catholic advocacy.

What Are CRS Chapters? Catholic Community Organizing for Global Justice

My response naturally leads to another question: In what specific ways do U.S. Catholics assist so many individuals? The brief explanation is twofold: firstly, through our comprehensive overseas efforts guided by the principle of Integral Human Development, a core tenet of Catholic social teaching; and secondly, through our faith-based humanitarian advocacy work within the United States.

CRS Chapters (known in Spanish as Comunidades de Solidaridad de CRS) represent Catholic advocacy in action—groups of people committed to and inspired by their faith, who are prepared and accompanied by CRS staff to promote integral human development globally from within the United States.

These Catholic advocacy communities:

• Learn about the causes and solutions to global issues, such as hunger and climate change
• Engage their local communities in global solidarity actions through faith-based organizing
• Promote social justice by supporting the U.S. bishops and working with legislators through strategic advocacy

Proven Catholic Advocacy Wins: $10.8 Billion in Legislative Success Stories

Over the past five years, CRS chapters across the United States have demonstrated how organized Catholic legislative engagement can create lasting change. Through persistent engagement with members of Congress (MOC), these faith-based advocacy groups have helped secure critical legislation and funding that directly impacts vulnerable communities worldwide.

The Global Child Thrive Act: Catholic Advocacy Impact in Early Childhood Development

The Global Child Thrive Act, enacted in January 2021, exemplifies successful Catholic advocacy impact. This significant legislation aimed at enhancing early childhood development resulted from dedicated efforts by chapter members who engaged with their elected officials, educating them on the importance of integrating early childhood development into existing U.S. foreign aid programs.

The Catholic advocacy strategy proved effective: the act found support from nearly 100 bipartisan cosponsors and mandates evidence-based approaches in U.S.-funded early childhood programs. The impact demonstrates real Catholic advocacy impact: in Uganda, fathers like Joseph are engaging in their children’s development. In Cambodia, 4-year-old Sreyno is walking for the first time with prosthetic legs. In Rwanda, mothers like Jeanne provide nutritious meals and practice positive parenting.

COVID-19 Response: Faith-Based Humanitarian Advocacy Under Pressure

When COVID-19 threatened to push millions back into extreme poverty, CRS chapters mobilized their Catholic legislative engagement networks. Their advocacy helped secure $10.8 billion in overseas COVID response funding in March 2021, providing emergency assistance in complex crisis areas like Gaza, Sudan, and Haiti. This effort demonstrated how local faith-based advocacy can have global reach through strategic Catholic community organizing.

Budget Victories: How Catholic Advocacy Influences Congressional Funding

In 2022, Congress passed a federal budget with increased funding for international accounts and emergency aid for Ukraine. Catholic advocacy by CRS chapters led to securing $400 million more than the proposed budget—a concrete example of faith-based humanitarian advocacy creating measurable results. This funding translated into millions of children receiving daily meals in schools through the McGovern/Dole Food for Education program and millions of small-scale farmers in Northern Africa and Central America being better able to provide for their families.

Real Impact Data: Congressional Engagement That Saves Lives

The numbers tell a compelling story of Catholic advocacy engagement: 139 chapters and clubs nationwide have conducted over 445 legislative visits, published more than 125 letters to the editor, and generated thousands of constituent communications through their faith-based organizing efforts.

In 2024, CRS Chapters demonstrated sophisticated Catholic legislative engagement by rallying against the American Farmers Feed the World Act (AFFW), which jeopardizes vital humanitarian funding. The Belleville Chapter exemplified grassroots Catholic advocacy with four meetings with their representative, highlighting how AFFW’s increased food shipping costs could hinder hunger relief. Their Catholic advocacy impact was significant: the representative’s chief of staff showed potential openness to reevaluating their stance in the new Congress.

For advocacy groups, any change in a legislator’s position on major funding represents a significant milestone, demonstrating how well-researched constituent engagement through Catholic community organizing can influence legislative views on critical humanitarian issues.

The Strategic Framework: How Faith-Based Advocacy Influences Policy

Through community fundraising events—from food sales to dinner-dance nights—chapters have raised substantial funds for global relief efforts while building Catholic advocacy networks. Chapter leaders also play a vital role in promoting and participating in the Rice Bowl campaign, which demonstrates the broader impact of Catholic solidarity: over the last five years, Catholics across the U.S. have contributed nearly $45 million through Rice Bowl, with $11 million supporting local needs in U.S. Dioceses.

This powerful combination of chapter advocacy and nationwide Catholic participation exemplifies how organized faith-based humanitarian advocacy creates lasting change both globally and locally.

But beyond the statistics lies a deeper truth about faith and civic engagement. As a CRS Government Relations veteran noted: “CRS’ work around the world is not possible without U.S. leadership and funding. U.S. leadership and funding would not be possible without strong constituent voices standing up and telling them that these issues are important. The political winds may change quickly in Washington, but Chapter advocacy is the steady rudder that ensures that members of Congress from across the political spectrum know that the Catholic community cares about foreign aid.”

“Without [CRS] chapter support, the political winds would forget about the populations we are trying to serve”

This Catholic advocacy work opens doors that would otherwise remain closed, creating opportunities for real policy change through sustained faith-based organizing.

Why Catholic Advocacy Matters Now: The 1% Budget Reality

Our advocacy work is crucial. With potential government cuts to aid for impoverished nations, millions face life-or-death situations due to possible U.S. support withdrawal. The Catholic community must unite to express our concerns to elected officials about expected leadership from the U.S. We can no longer remain uninvolved. The gospel calls us to action, and the world urgently needs our support through strategic Catholic legislative engagement.

Reflect on this: in the 2024 fiscal year, the U.S. budget reached an astounding $6.9 trillion, yet only a small fraction—just less than 1%—is dedicated to international humanitarian aid. This modest allocation faces constant scrutiny and debate in Congress, calling for our steadfast support and protection through organized Catholic advocacy.

While the U.S. cannot tackle every global challenge alone, our profound belief in shared humanity and universal responsibility urges us to care for our brothers and sisters worldwide. This means standing up for this vital half of a percent through sustained faith-based humanitarian advocacy.

Getting Started: Your Practical Guide to Catholic Advocacy Action

For Catholics contemplating joining or establishing a CRS chapter, the advantages of this Catholic community organizing extend far beyond addressing global poverty and hunger. Engaging in chapter activities hones leadership skills, fosters community bonds, and offers a practical means to embody Catholic social teaching through faith-based advocacy.

This Catholic advocacy approach turns abstract principles of human dignity and solidarity into meaningful action, making your faith come alive in real-world impact. Moreover, CRS chapter work offers a powerful antidote to the cynicism and helplessness many feel about today’s political climate. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by global challenges, chapter members become part of a solution through strategic Catholic legislative engagement.

They join a network of committed individuals who prove that organized, persistent advocacy creates meaningful change through disciplined Catholic community organizing.

As we look to the future, the need for more CRS chapters and expanded Catholic advocacy becomes increasingly clear. Global challenges—from climate change to forced migration and the cruel reality of millions facing food insecurity—require informed, organized responses from faith communities. CRS chapters provide the structure, support, and proven methods to make those faith-based humanitarian advocacy responses effective.

How You Can Amplify Catholic Advocacy Impact

If you or someone you know is eager to engage your community in social justice work, or if you’re an individual ready to put your faith into action through Catholic advocacy, CRS chapters provide a proven path to making meaningful impact. Over the past five years, we’ve witnessed the incredible power of Catholics coming together to organize and advocate through strategic faith-based organizing.

This collective Catholic advocacy effort has not only influenced policy and secured vital funding but also engaged local communities to stand in solidarity with those in need and saved lives across the globe through sustained Catholic legislative engagement.

Let this be an inspiration: when we unite with purpose and passion through Catholic community organizing, we can truly change the world for the better.

Ready to amplify Catholic advocacy in your community? The invitation is clear: join this vital work and help us get the word out. Send me a direct message to learn about joining or forming a chapter in your community, or help me connect with someone who might be interested in faith-based humanitarian advocacy. As the evidence shows, your voice—joined with others through strategic Catholic advocacy—can help create the change our world so desperately needs.

#CatholicAdvocacy #CatholicImpact #GlobalSolidarity #CRSChapters #FaithInAction #HumanitarianAid #IntegralHumanDevelopment