Agency Membership

Serving Catholic Charities agencies is one of Catholic Charities USA's main priorities. Over 150 diocesan Catholic Charities agencies are members of Catholic Charities USA. To assist agencies in their work, CCUSA had developed a variety of valuable services and benefits.

Networking
Catholic Charities USA's provides networking opportunities to bring members together to share information, solve problems, and connect with peers. These opportunities include professional interest sections, the Catholic Charities USA Web site, Charities USA magazine, training institutes, and the annual conference and other gatherings.

National Voice
Catholic Charities USA is the national voice of the Catholic Charities network. CCUSA works with members of Congress to advocate for America's poor and vulnerable. CCUSA also promotes awareness of the work of Catholic Charities agencies nationwide through general media relations and national media campaigns. In addition, Catholic Charities USA represents member agencies in forging relationships with other national organizations committed to service and justice.

Training and Technical Assistance
Catholic Charities USA assists members in developing leadership skills and staying current with the best social service practices and federal and state regulations. CCUSA offers a number of topical training opportunities that range from formal multi-day training programs to audio conferences and telephone consultations. Examples include an audio conference series on compliance with the Health Information Privacy and Portability Act (HIPPA) and the Leadership Institute, a week-long seminar for Catholic Charities directors, administrators, and program directors that integrates leadership and management training with theological and spiritual instruction.

Financial Benefits
Agencies may receive a number of financial benefits through membership in Catholic Charities USA. These benefits may include disaster response funding, program funding through CCUSA grants, scholarships for agency employees, donated funds through the Combined Federal Campaign, and cost-saving partnerships that provide discounts on a number of products and services-from office supplies to liability insurance.

Program Development
Catholic Charities USA assists agencies in developing new programs, a process that may involve extensive training, technical assistance, and financial support. Two such programs are the HUD Housing Counseling program, which educates and assists low-income homeowners and prospective homebuyers, and the JustFaith program, which helps educate and encourage local parishioners to become involved in social ministry.

Any diocesan Catholic Charities agency may become a member of Catholic Charities USA. Agency membership dues are based on an agency's operating budget.

For more information on agency membership, contact Moira Bindner at (703) 236-6228, or mbindner@catholiccharitiesusa.org.