The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) is a long-standing nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing peace, social justice, and human rights both in the United States and globally. Founded in 1917 by members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), the organization initially focused on providing humanitarian relief and service opportunities for conscientious objectors during wartime. Over the past century, it has evolved into a major international advocacy and service organization addressing systemic injustice, inequality, and conflict.
AFSC works across a wide range of issue areas, including immigrant rights, racial justice, economic inequality, peacebuilding, and alternatives to incarceration. Its programs emphasize nonviolence, community collaboration, and long-term structural change. The organization partners with communities around the world to meet immediate needs while also advocating for policy reforms at the national and international levels, including engagement with institutions such as the United Nations.
Grounded in the Quaker belief in the inherent worth and dignity of every person, AFSC brings together people of diverse backgrounds to challenge unjust systems and promote sustainable peace. Its work includes grassroots organizing, public education, policy advocacy, and humanitarian relief efforts in multiple countries.
For activists, organizers, and community members, AFSC offers valuable tools, campaigns, and resources to support civic engagement, human rights advocacy, and nonviolent resistance strategies. The organization’s long history, global reach, and focus on justice-driven solutions make it a key resource for those working toward systemic change and accountability.