REDCROSS
American Red Cross
"Prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors."
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross is a humanitarian nonprofit organization founded in 1881 and chartered by the United States Congress. The organization is dedicated to preventing and alleviating human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing volunteers and donors to provide disaster relief, support military families, collect lifesaving blood, and deliver health and safety education.
Who the Organization Serves
The American Red Cross serves individuals, families, and communities affected by disasters and emergencies across the United States and internationally. It also provides direct support to active-duty service members, veterans, and military families through emergency communications, resiliency programs, and caregiver assistance.
What the Organization Does
- Provides disaster relief, emergency sheltering, and recovery assistance
- Supplies a significant portion of the nation’s blood supply through blood donation programs
- Supports military members, veterans, and families through emergency services
- Offers health, safety, and preparedness training and certifications
- Delivers humanitarian aid and community resilience programs worldwide
Where the Organization Operates
The American Red Cross operates through a national organization with regional chapters and local offices throughout the United States, as well as international partnerships abroad. Services are delivered at the community level, while national leadership provides governance, coordination, and disaster response capability.
Membership, Volunteer, and Participation Eligibility
The American Red Cross is not a membership-based organization. Participation is available through volunteering, blood donation, training programs, and employment opportunities.
- Volunteers must meet age requirements, role-specific qualifications, and complete training and background screening as required.
- Blood donors must meet health, age, and eligibility criteria established by the American Red Cross and medical guidelines.
- Training participants may enroll in Red Cross health and safety courses subject to course-specific requirements.
- Military and disaster assistance recipients must meet eligibility criteria based on service status, emergency need, or program guidelines.
How Participation Is Structured
Participation is coordinated through local Red Cross chapters and service centers. Volunteers and participants engage in disaster response, blood drives, training programs, and community outreach initiatives, supported by national infrastructure and emergency response systems.