What is CHF International?
CHF International is a, nonprofit development organization that is dedicated to helping thousands of clients each day improve their economic conditions from the bottom up.

What is CHF’s mission?
CHF International's mission is to be a catalyst for long-lasting positive change in low- and moderate-income communities around the world, helping them to improve their social, economic and environmental conditions.

When was CHF founded?
Established in 1952 as the Cooperative Housing Foundation to provide housing for low-income households in the U.S., CHF International has been working with communities abroad since the 1960s to help them to identify their greatest needs and obtain those goals, whether it be preventing HIV/AIDS or providing credit for families to improve their homes.

What does CHF stand for?
CHF used to stand for the Cooperative Housing Foundation. Now we simply use the name CHF International since our scope of work includes far more than housing.

Does CHF take individual donations?
Yes! CHF International depends on donations like yours to support our emergency and disaster relief efforts and pilot new projects in areas of desperate need. You can donate to CHF International by check or by credit card. Credit card donations can be made online or by phone. If you choose to make a donation by check, please make it payable to CHF International and mail it to:

CHF International
8601 Georgia Avenue
Suite 800
Silver Spring, MD 20910

To learn more, please visit the Donate page.

How can I be sure that CHF is the best place for my donation?
According to Charity Navigator, an American charity evaluator, CHF International is classified as an exceptional charity and received their highest rank of four stars. To see our review, please click on the Charity Navigator button below.

Does CHF have a donor privacy policy?
CHF International is committed to respecting the privacy rights of all donors and visitors to our website. Our policy is to use the information we acquire from visitors and donors for internal purposes only, and we maintain appropriate security measures to keep this information private.

We will not sell, trade or share your personal information with anyone else, nor send donor mailings on behalf of other organizations.

Where does CHF work?
Headquartered in Silver Spring, Maryland, CHF International has worked in over 100 countries around the world. Currently, we are implementing programs in more than 25 countries in Latin America, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa.

Who does CHF work with?
CHF International's work is supported by grants, contracts, investments, and contributions from host governments, international development agencies, private foundations, individuals, and our members. CHF also works in partnership with a variety of corporations.

What is CHF’s expertise?
Although the bricks and mortar of CHF International's work has long been integrally bound to communities, habitat and finance, we sometimes engage our field staff in other critical initiatives that are in line with our overall mission such as:

  • Economic Development
  • Global Health
  • Emergency Response and Transition
  • Governance and Civil Society 
  • Housing and Infrastructure
  • Urban Development

Can CHF fund my nonprofit or program?
CHF is a nonprofit organization that does not grant funds to other programs or nonprofits.

Does CHF offer internships or volunteer opportunities?
Internships are offered on a periodic basis, usually in the summer. Check the employment page for more information.

CHF’s Visiting Internationals Professionals™ (VIP) Program allows short-term volunteers to donate their time and energy to support our programs around the world and transfer technical skills to local partner organizations. Visit the VIP page for more information.

How do I learn more about working at CHF?
Please visit the Employment Section to learn more about working at CHF.

How do I learn more about partnering with CHF?
With programming in more than 25 countries—and new initiatives burgeoning every day—CHF International is well poised to match corporate social responsibility investments with the business objectives of each of our corporate partners. To learn more, contact CHF International's Resource Development Office, at 301-587-4700 or mailbox@chfinternational.org.