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Non-profit

Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere (CARE)

Website:

www.care.org
Location:

Atlanta, GA
Tax ID:

13-1685039
Tax-Exempt Status:

501(c)(3)

Budget (2020):

Revenue: $609,275,545
Expenses: $647,242,201
Assets: $508,084,592
Type:

International humanitarian agency
Founded:

1945
President and CEO:

Michelle Nunn

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CARE (an acronym for Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere) is an international humanitarian relief organization. It was started in 1945 at the end of World War II as a temporary organization to provide food packages containing military rations to those in Europe who were suffering from starvation and famine. 1

In its over 75-year history, CARE has expanded to provide services to over 100 countries globally. It has expanded its goals from feeding the hungry to fighting poverty and addressing human rights. Its most recent focus is women and girls, based on the claim that that poverty cannot be overcome until all people have equal rights and opportunities. 2

CARE has incorporated advocacy into its model, lobbying and influencing policymakers, and providing Congressional testimony and briefings. The intent is to increase the United States’ role in global humanitarian relief. 3

CARE was 43rd on the Forbes list of the 100 largest United States charities in 2021. 4

Background

When World War II ended in 1945, millions of people in Europe were starving. Arthur Ringland, who was executive director of the President’s War Relief Control Board the war, 5 and Lincoln Clark approached twenty-two American charities with the idea of creating a nonprofit organization that would send food packages to Europe. The organization was originally meant to be temporary. It was named Cooperative for American Remittances to Europe (CARE). The first CARE packages were military food rations obtained from the government. As the supply of military rations ran out, CARE partnered with American food companies and relied on corporate and individual donations. 6

By 1959, CARE had extended to many countries beyond Europe, initially to Japan, the Philippines, Korea, India, and Pakistan. CARE then established operations in Latin America, and in Africa. 7 It changed its name to Cooperative for American Relief Everywhere to reflect that broader scope. CARE expanded its scope to address environmental issues in the 1970s and to women and healthcare in the 1980s. 8

In 1993, CARE changed its name to Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere, reflecting the changes in organizational structure to accommodate regional management globally. Public policy and advocacy programs increased. 9

In 2000 CARE announced their vision as addressing human rights and causes of poverty, which encompassed a broader social justice goal. In 2006 CARE adopted a specific focus on women and girls. 10

CARE’s Strategic Plan for 2022 to 2025 continues to focus on addressing gender equality, based on the premise that where there is gender inequality, people are poor, hungry, sick, and less able to resolve crises. 11

Programs

According to the 2021 Annual Report CARE coordinated 1,495 projects in 102 countries impacting 100 million people in 2021. 12

CARE’s programs have expanded to address a wide range of services and to develop longer-term solutions to issues in addition to more immediate relief.

Crisis Response includes assistance to victims of disasters or war, as well as to refugees and migrants, with a focus on health, particularly for women and girls. 13 CARE has been providing humanitarian relief in Afghanistan since 1961, and the need continues. Other emergency response missions included assistance as a result of the 7.2 magnitude earthquake in Haiti in 2021, Hurricane Ida which hit the Gulf Coast of the United States in 2021, and the civil war and famine in Yemen. 14 In 2022, CARE committed to Ukrainian relief with a goal to reach 4 million people with assistance including food and water, hygiene kits, and psychosocial support, prioritizing the needs of women and girls, families, and the elderly. 15

CARE’s Health programs work toward equitable health care globally. 16 CARE focuses on addressing poverty and gender inequality to support its programs to improve health, including reproductive health and gender-based violence. 17

The Equality programs work toward advancing gender equality through partnerships with social justice movements and supporting solidarity groups among women and girls. 18 To support the Equality program, CARE works to prevent gender-based violence and provide support services to its victims. The CARE advocacy program works to pass and implement laws and policies that prevent gender-based violence. 19

CARE developed the Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) program in 1991 as a micro-savings project in Africa. 20 VSLAs are small self-managed groups who meet regularly with the goals of savings, accessing small loans when needed, and obtaining emergency insurance. 21 The VSLAs have since expanded to 10 million people in 59 countries. 22

Advocacy

CARE has formed CARE Action, a separate but related organization that focuses on lobbying and influencing policymakers by providing Congressional testimony, briefings, and reports to support the CARE advocacy agenda. 23

CARE’s advocacy agenda focuses on United States leadership for the development of humanitarian actions and policies that make a global impact. The advocacy agenda developed in 2021 recommends that the United States rejoin the United Nations Human Rights Council, supports the Paris Climate Agreement, and works to strengthen the World Health Organization. 24

The CARE advocacy agenda also recommends that the United States funds programs that address gender equality, sexual and reproductive health and rights, 25 and supports refugee and immigrant resettlement in the United States, regardless of their origin. 26

Financials

The CARE 2020 tax return shows revenues of $746,557,430 and expenses of $705,743,661. Employee compensation and benefits were $222,687,840. 27

Donors

In 2020, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation contributed over $19 million to CARE initiatives, including global health, family planning, and empowering women and girls. 28 It was identified as a featured foundation in the CARE 2021 Annual Report and has been contributing to CARE since 2001. 29

The David and Lucile Packard Foundation is identified in the CARE 2021 Annual Report as a featured foundation, donating over $1 million in 2021. 30 The Packard Foundation has a strong focus on population control programs and abortion and contraceptive access. 31

The Hutchins Family Foundation contributed over $1 million in 2021. 32 It was founded by left-of-center billionaire Glenn Hutchins, the board chair of CARE. 33

On March 23, 2022, MacKenzie Scott published a list of philanthropic recipients, which included 465 nonprofits and $3,863,125,000 in donations given in a nine-month period. CARE was on this list of recipients, specifically focused on Ukrainian relief efforts. 34 Scott is worth $46.2 billion as of April 9, 2022. She is a philanthropist and author, and ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. In May of 2019, Scott signed the Giving Pledge, promising to give away at least half of her wealth over the course of her lifetime. 35

Additional donors include many left-of-center philanthropic organizations including the Atlantic Philanthropies, Tides Foundation, William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, Silicon Valley Community Foundation, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Ford Foundation, Center for Disaster Philanthropy, 36 Levi Strauss Foundation, S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation, and Vital Voices Global Partnership. 37

Leadership

Michelle Nunn, the unsuccessful Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate from Georgia in 2014, 38 is president and CEO of CARE. 39  Previously Nunn was co-founder and CEO of Hands On Atlanta, a community-based volunteer service organization, and CEO of Points of Light, the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service. 40 She has been president and CEO of CARE since July 2015. 41 Her 2020 compensation according to CARE’s 2020 tax return was $448,365. 42

The board chair of CARE is billionaire Glenn Hutchins, co-founder of Silver Lake Partners, a global technology investment firm. He is co-chair of the Brookings Institution and vice chair of the Obama Foundation. Hutchins was a special advisor on economic and healthcare policy for the Clinton administration. He founded the Hutchins Family Foundation 43 which supports left-of-center causes including Center for American Progress (CAP) the Brookings Institution, and the Obama Foundation. 44

Susan Hassan is vice chair of the board. 45 Previously, she was a fellow at think tank Aspen Institute and chaired the board of directors at Equality Now, 46 a global organization focused on fighting sexual discrimination and supporting the rights of women and girls through legal advocacy. 47

Criticism

NGO Monitor, an Israel-based research institute that reports on the activities of non-governmental organizations, alleged:

CARE has provided funding to the Union of Agricultural Work Committees, Ma’an Development Center, Health Work Committees (HWC), and the Palestinian Medical Relief Society (PMRS). All four of these organizations have ties to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, a designated terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, Canada, and Israel. 48

NGO Monitor alleged CARE International had other associations with groups linked to Palestinian extremism or the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions anti-Israel campaign. 49 In 2004, NGO Monitor had praised CARE USA “for not following the lead of many other NGOs in actively promoting a political agenda that contributes to the demonization of Israel and advocacy on behalf of the Palestinian leadership.” 50

References

  1. [1] “Sending Hope to Europe: The First CARE Packages Arrive in 1946.” The National WWII Museum. May 10, 2021. Accessed April 13, 2022. https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/sending-hope-europe-first-care-packages-arrive-1946#:~:text=In%201945%2C%20Arthur%20Ringwald%20and%20Dr.%20Lincoln%20Clark,Alice%20suggested%20%E2%80%9CCooperative%20for%20American%20Remittances%20to%20Europe%E2%80%9D%E2%80%94CARE
  2. “CARE’s History: A Timeline.” CARE – About Us. Accessed April 13, 2022. https://www.care.org/about-us/our-history/
  3. “About Us.” CARE Action. Accessed April 13, 2022. https://careaction.org/about/
  4. “America’s Top 100 Charities.” Forbes. 2021. Accessed April 13, 2022. https://www.forbes.com/lists/top-charities/?sh=5416aeec5f50
  5. “Arthur C. Ringland, 99, Conservationist, Whose Efforts Led to the Founding of CARE.” The Washington Post archive. October 21, 1981. Accessed April 13, 2022. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1981/10/21/arthur-c-ringland-99-conservationist-whose-efforts-led-to-the-founding-of-care/de2adf7d-55dd-4c58-afd1-15662bc17cd9/
  6. “Sending Hope to Europe: The First CARE Packages Arrive in 1946.” The National WWII Museum. May 10, 2021. Accessed April 13, 2022. https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/sending-hope-europe-first-care-packages-arrive-1946#:~:text=In%201945%2C%20Arthur%20Ringwald%20and%20Dr.%20Lincoln%20Clark,Alice%20suggested%20%E2%80%9CCooperative%20for%20American%20Remittances%20to%20Europe%E2%80%9D%E2%80%94CARE.
  7. “CARE’s History.” CARE International – Who We Are. Accessed April 14, 2022. https://www.care-international.org/who-we-are-1/cares-history
  8. “CARE’s History: A Timeline.” CARE – About Us. Accessed April 13, 2022. https://www.care.org/about-us/our-history/
  9. “CARE’s History: A Timeline.” CARE – About Us. Accessed April 13, 2022. https://www.care.org/about-us/our-history/
  10. [1] “CARE’s History: A Timeline.” CARE – About Us. Accessed April 13, 2022. https://www.care.org/about-us/our-history/
  11. CARE USA GLOBAL STRATEGY (2022-2025) pdf from GuideStar Profile – CARE. Accessed April 14, 2022. https://www2.guidestar.org/profile/13-1685039
  12. “2021 CARE by the Numbers.” CARE 2021 Annual Report – page 5. Accessed April 12, 2022. https://www.care.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/FY2021-Annual-Report-Spreads.pdf
  13. “Programs and Results.” GuideStar – CARE. Accessed April 13, 2022. https://www.guidestar.org/profile/13-1685039
  14. [1] “Current Disaster Relief Efforts and Emergencies.” CARE – Our Work – Crisis. Accessed April 14, 2022. https://www.care.org/our-work/disaster-response/emergencies/
  15. “UKRAINE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS: Reach 4 million with critical aid — Give now.” CARE. Accessed April 14, 2022. https://my.care.org/site/Donation2?df_id=31067&mfc_pref=T&31067.donation=form1&s_src=172220UCF000&_ga=2.266933580.317747611.1649783399-1296142603.1649344406&_gac=1.112369104.1649867857.e2a334e3f1631bfa6ad756b50d23709a
  16. “Programs and Results.” GuideStar – CARE. Accessed April 13, 2022. https://www.guidestar.org/profile/13-1685039
  17. “Health.” CARE – Our Work. Accessed April 14, 2022. https://www.care.org/our-work/health/
  18. “Programs and Results.” GuideStar – CARE. Accessed April 13, 2022. https://www.guidestar.org/profile/13-1685039
  19. “Gender-Based Violence.” CARE – Our Work – Equality. Accessed April 14, 2022. https://www.care.org/our-work/health/fighting-gender-based-violence/
  20. [1] “CARE’s History: A Timeline.” CARE – About Us. Accessed April 16, 2022. https://www.care.org/about-us/our-history/
  21.  “Microsavings through Village Savings and Loan Associations.” CARE – Our Work – Education and Work. Accessed April 16, 2022. https://www.care.org/our-work/education-and-work/microsavings/
  22. “Featured Program – Village Savings and Loan Associations. CARE 2021 Annual Report – page 4. https://www.care.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/FY2021-Annual-Report-Spreads.pdf
  23. “About Us.” CARE Action. Accessed April 13, 2022. https://careaction.org/about/
  24. “CARE Action Advocacy Agenda.” CARE – Our Work – Advocacy. Accessed April 13, 2022. https://www.care.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/2021_Advocacy_Agenda_1.27.21.pdf
  25. “CARE Action Advocacy Agenda.” CARE – Our Work – Advocacy. Accessed April 13, 2022. https://www.care.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/2021_Advocacy_Agenda_1.27.21.pdf
  26. Instagram – careorg. Accessed April 13, 2022. https://www.instagram.com/p/CcDkfRVK0MY/
  27. CARE. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax. (Form 990, Part I). 2020.
  28. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Return of Private Foundation. (Form 990-PF, Part XV). 2020.
  29. “Featured Foundations.” CARE 2021 Annual Report – page 15. Accessed April 13, 2022.  https://www.care.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/FY2021-Annual-Report-Spreads.pdf
  30. “Featured Foundations.” CARE 2021 Annual Report – page 15. Accessed April 13, 2022.  https://www.care.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/FY2021-Annual-Report-Spreads.pdf
  31.  The David & Lucile Packard Foundation website. Accessed April 16, 2022. https://www.packard.org/
  32. “Donors and Partners.” CARE 2021 Annual Report – page 19. Accessed April 16, 2022. https://www.care.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/FY2021-Annual-Report-Spreads.pdf
  33. “Glenn Hutchins.” CARE – About Us – Leadership. Accessed April 16, 2022. https://www.care.org/about-us/leadership/glenn-hutchins/
  34. MacKenzie Scott. “Helping Any of Us Can Help Us All.” Medium. March 23, 2022. Accessed April 12, 2022. https://mackenzie-scott.medium.com/helping-any-of-us-can-help-us-all-f4c7487818d9
  35.  “MacKenzie Scott.” Forbes Profile. April 9, 2022. Accessed April 12, 2022. https://www.forbes.com/profile/mackenzie-scott/?sh=21a6b21b243d
  36. “Donors and Partners.” CARE 2021 Annual Report – page 18. Accessed April 16, 2022. https://www.care.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/FY2021-Annual-Report-Spreads.pdf
  37. “Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere.” ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Accessed April 13, 2022. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/full_text_search?page=4&q=cooperative+for+assistance+and+relief+everywhere
  38. [1] “Leadership.” CARE – About Us. Accessed April 12, 2022. https://www.care.org/about-us/leadership/
  39. “Leadership.” CARE – About Us. Accessed April 12, 2022. https://www.care.org/about-us/leadership/
  40. [1] LinkedIn – Michelle Nunn. Accessed April 12, 2022. https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-nunn-7a837b111/
  41. LinkedIn – Michelle Nunn. Accessed April 12, 2022. https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-nunn-7a837b111/
  42. CARE. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax. (Form 990, Part VII). 2020.
  43. “Glenn Hutchins.” CARE – About Us – Leadership. Accessed April 12, 2022. https://www.care.org/about-us/leadership/glenn-hutchins/
  44. Hutchins Family Foundation. Return of Private Foundation. (Form 990-PF, Part XV). 2019.
  45. “Leadership.” CARE – About Us. Accessed April 16, 2022. https://www.care.org/about-us/leadership/
  46. LinkedIn – Susan Hassan. Accessed April 16, 2022. https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-hassan-356b7013/
  47. Equality Now website. Accessed April 16, 2022. https://www.equalitynow.org/
  48. “CARE (Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere) International.” NGO Monitor. December 10, 2020. Accessed April 14, 2022. https://www.ngo-monitor.org/ngos/care/
  49. “CARE (Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere) International.” NGO Monitor. December 10, 2020. Accessed April 14, 2022. https://www.ngo-monitor.org/ngos/care/
  50. [1] NGO Monitor. “Care USA – an NGO Focused on Humanitarian Concerns.” NGO Monitor, June 15, 2004. https://www.ngo-monitor.org/reports/care_usa_an_ngo_focused_on_humanitarian_concerns/.
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Nonprofit Information

  • Accounting Period: June - May
  • Tax Exemption Received: September 1, 1993

    • Available Filings

    Period Form Type Total revenue Total functional expenses Total assets (EOY) Total liabilities (EOY) Unrelated business income? Total contributions Program service revenue Investment income Comp. of current officers, directors, etc. Form 990
    2020 Jun Form 990 $609,275,545 $647,242,201 $508,084,592 $176,084,363 N $599,312,237 $0 $3,568,775 $3,301,686 PDF
    2019 Jun Form 990 $620,956,083 $604,420,101 $538,474,281 $162,215,502 N $602,938,894 $0 $4,708,672 $2,711,465 PDF
    2018 Jun Form 990 $606,808,858 $596,365,098 $517,533,991 $156,287,453 N $596,595,507 $0 $4,848,824 $3,729,667 PDF
    2017 Jun Form 990 $614,392,228 $581,648,006 $489,343,366 $143,667,729 N $601,454,932 $0 $4,500,901 $3,456,143 PDF
    2016 Jun Form 990 $526,456,464 $538,720,966 $470,588,361 $168,662,742 N $517,869,079 $0 $5,804,765 $2,983,139 PDF
    2015 Jun Form 990 $529,851,140 $527,583,913 $507,467,047 $183,919,541 N $512,280,155 $0 $6,895,019 $2,540,884 PDF
    2014 Jun Form 990 $540,259,388 $514,654,619 $558,557,390 $227,307,861 N $522,181,567 $0 $5,052,381 $2,340,930 PDF
    2013 Jun Form 990 $490,279,310 $509,441,815 $522,271,636 $215,121,767 N $470,846,406 $0 $10,239,364 $2,520,362 PDF
    2012 Jun Form 990 $557,527,133 $582,715,146 $421,675,029 $100,283,440 N $541,567,076 $0 $9,587,032 $1,931,922 PDF
    2011 Jun Form 990 $582,010,108 $614,417,692 $537,043,762 $181,488,335 Y $560,907,732 $0 $10,682,438 $2,860,454 PDF

    Additional Filings (PDFs)

    Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere (CARE)


    Atlanta, GA