CARE International

CARE originally stood for "Cooperative for American Remittances to Europe" when the organization was founded in 1945 to send aid after World War II. Today, the organization operates as a massive global non-governmental entity under the broader mission name "Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere."

According to independent charity watchdogs like Charity Navigator, CARE International consistently scores highly for financial accountability. Roughly 85% to 90% of their total expenses go directly toward their international aid programs, while the remainder is split between administrative overhead and fundraising efforts.

While the Red Cross is highly focused on immediate disaster relief, emergency medical aid, and blood drives, CARE International takes a much heavier focus on long-term community development. CARE's primary mission revolves around fighting global poverty by specifically empowering women and girls to become leaders in their local economies.

Following World War II, the original CARE Package was literally a physical box of food and relief supplies sent to starving families in Europe. The packages famously contained surplus American military rations, including items like spam and chocolate, to help rebuild the continent after the devastation of the war.