Mission of the
American Red Cross

The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers and guided by its congressional charter and the fundamental principles of the International Red Cross Movement, will provide relief to victims of disaster and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.

American Red Cross Legal Status and Congressional Charter

The American Red Cross is organized and exists according to a charter granted in 1905 by the U.S Congress, which charged the organization with providing special services to members of the armed forces and victims of disasters. The organization has the legal status of both a federal instrumentality and a qualified tax-exempt charitable corporation. The American Red Cross, however is not a government agency. It is a private, not-for-profit human services organization.