Helping Almsgivers Discern: Launch of the Catholic Charity Finder Directory

A new directory of Catholic charities which launched today aims to help almsgivers find worthy non-profits and causes.

A couple of years ago, while visiting the Mothers and Missionaries of the Holy Cross — a splendid religious congregation of pontifical right helping the poorest of the poor in Tanzania and Brazil — I read a meditation on that day’s Sunday Gospel about the exercise of charity.

It spoke of translating mere sentiments of altruism for those in need into practical, effective help, as we would wish to be helped in our own personal needs. All things therefore whatsoever you would that men should do to you, do you also to them. For this is the law and the prophets — (Mt. 7:12).

But in practical terms, when it comes to almsgiving, following the Golden Rule can be challenging, if not overwhelming. There are so many needs both locally and globally, where does one begin? Which Catholic charities and causes are trustworthy, faithful to the Church’s teaching, and where can I be sure my donation will go to those most in need and be most effective?

What was needed, I concluded, was a directory of Catholic charities and causes to help with that process. Hence Catholic Charity Finder was born — a directory of researched and worthy Catholic charities and causes which, according to our good-faith judgment at the time of review, genuinely need your help and will put your donation to good use.

Donors are encouraged to conduct their own checks before making any donation, while Catholic Charity Finder’s role is to act as a starting point — a mediator and facilitator to help connect charities and causes with prospective donors.

Launched today to coincide with Lent, a traditional time of almsgiving, Catholic Charity Finder’s debut also coincides with the feast day — in the General Roman and Traditional calendars respectively — of two great saints known for their charity: St. Polycarp of Smyrna who advised not to defer to do good “for almsgiving sets free from death,” and St. Peter Damian, who had great compassion for the poor and “gave away much in alms.”

As Catholic Charity Finder is just starting, we have a modest number of charities and causes which we hope to grow in the coming weeks and months. If you know of any other non-profits or causes who fit into the categories and criteria on the site, please let us know through our Contact Us page. We cannot guarantee they will be featured but we will surely consider them. We also welcome any feedback.

So I invite you take a look at Catholic Charity Finder — a facility which I hope you find useful and that helps you in your discernment to give wisely and well this Lent, and into the future.