CRS Awards and Recognition

2007 American Institute of Philanthropy: Catholic Relief Services was named a top-rated charity and given the rating of A+ by AIP for efficiently using the majority of our funds toward programming versus fundraising.

2007 Better Business Bureau/Wise Giving Alliance: CRS was found to meet all 20 Standards for Charity Accountability, which take into account an organization’s governance, financial accountability, truthfulness and transparency.

November 2007 Chronicle of Philanthropy: CRS was ranked 67th out of 400 charities in Chronicle of Philanthropy's Annual Top 400 Philanthropy List.

November 2007 NonProfit Times: CRS was ranked 29th out of the 100 best charities reviewed by the publication.

University of Notre Dame: On May 20, 2007, CRS President Ken Hackett received an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree and was among nine people recognized by Notre Dame in the fields of national and international politics, education, medicine, the arts, humanitarian work and the Catholic Church.

2007 Aurora Award: CRS earned a Gold Award from the Independent Film and Video Competition for our "Water for Life" documentary video, which explores why more than 1 billion people do not have adequate access to clean water.

2006 Pakistan Star of Sacrifice: On September 21, 2006, Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf presented CRS with the prestigious Sitara-i-Eisaar (Star of Sacrifice) award honoring the agency's comprehensive and timely response to the devastating October 8, 2005 earthquake. CRS was among the first agencies to respond, providing emergency supplies, shelter, education, water and sanitation materials, and livelihood support.

2005 Caritas Flame of Hope Award: Catholic Charities saluted CRS' work around the world in bringing the very core of Christianity to millions suffering from natural disasters as well as human cruelty and injustice.

Knight Commander of Saint Gregory the Great: On October 31, 2004, CRS president Ken Hackett received the Knight Commander of Saint Gregory the Great medal, one of the highest papal honors. The ceremony took place in the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Baltimore, Maryland, and recognized Hackett's outstanding service to the papacy and the Archdiocese of Baltimore.

Millennium Challenge Corporation: On July 13, 2004, following the recommendation of Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle, President George W. Bush nominated CRS President Ken Hackett to sit on the Millennium Challenge Corporation Board of Directors. Hackett was unanimously approved by the U.S. Senate. The Millennium Challenge Corporation is charged with improving the accountability and impact of foreign assistance.