# Aid to the Church in Need (ACN-USA)

> Aid to the Church in Need is a pontifical foundation of the Catholic Church that supports persecuted and suffering Christians worldwide through pastoral and humanitarian aid. Founded in 1947, ACN fulfills more than 5,000 projects a year in over 140 countries, funded entirely by private donations. ACN-USA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Brooklyn, New York.

Key facts:
- Papal charity under the guidance of the Holy Father; founded 1947 by Fr. Werenfried van Straaten.
- In 2025, ACN funded 5,368 projects in 141 countries.
- Publishes the "Religious Freedom in the World" report (every two years) and "Persecuted and Forgotten?", a report on Christians oppressed for their faith.
- Programs: emergency aid, Mass offerings (stipends) for priests, formation of priests and religious, subsistence aid for religious sisters, church construction, transportation, religious literature and media.
- Contact: 725 Leonard Street, Brooklyn, NY 11222 · (800) 628-6333

## About ACN
- [About Aid to the Church in Need](https://www.churchinneed.org/about-us/): Mission, history since 1947, and how ACN works under the guidance of the Holy Father.
- [Projects in Need](https://www.churchinneed.org/projects-in-need/): Current projects donors can fund around the world.
- [Success Stories](https://www.churchinneed.org/success-stories/): Completed projects and their impact.
- [Financial report 2024](https://www.churchinneed.org/flipbook/financial-2024/): ACN-USA financial statements.
- [Contact us](https://www.churchinneed.org/contact-us/)

## Christian persecution and religious freedom
- [Christian Persecution Today](https://www.churchinneed.org/christian-persecution/): What Christian persecution is, where it is rising, regional breakdown, and how to help.
- [Religious Freedom Report 2025](https://www.churchinneed.org/religious-freedom-report-2025/): ACN's report on religious freedom in 196 countries (January 2023 – December 2024).
- [Persecuted and Forgotten? 2022–24](https://www.churchinneed.org/persecution-and-forgotten-2024/): Report on Christians oppressed for their faith.
- [News](https://www.churchinneed.org/news/): Daily news on the suffering and persecuted Church.
- [Faith Under Siege podcast](https://www.churchinneed.org/faith-under-siege-podcasts/): Interviews with Church leaders from persecuted regions.

## Current emergency appeals
- [Emergency aid for Lebanon](https://www.churchinneed.org/emergency-aid-lebanon/): Support for Christian families displaced by conflict in southern Lebanon.
- [Emergency aid for Venezuela](https://www.churchinneed.org/emergency-venezuela/): Relief after the June 24 earthquakes.
- [Emergency aid for Colombia](https://www.churchinneed.org/emergency-colombia/): Relief after the August 10 earthquake.

## Ways to give and pray
- [Ways to Give](https://www.churchinneed.org/ways-to-give/): One-time and monthly gifts, stock, crypto, IRA, and planned giving.
- [Mass offerings](https://www.churchinneed.org/prayer-chapel/mass-offerings/): Request a Mass for your intentions; offerings support priests in need.
- [Submit prayer intentions](https://www.churchinneed.org/prayer-chapel/submit-prayer-intentions/)
- [Light a candle](https://www.lightingacandle.org/): Light a virtual candle for a prayer intention.
- [One Million Children Praying the Rosary](https://www.churchinneed.org/one-million-kids-praying-the-rosary-2/): ACN's annual children's Rosary campaign for peace.