Oxfam is an independent, international, nongovernmental organization committed to the fight against poverty and social injustice. It was founded in Oxford, England, in 1942. Starting out as a humanitarian famine relief charity, the organization grew to encompass development work, campaigning on human rights issues, and pioneering modern, professional methods of fund-raising. Oxfam expanded over time and has grown into a confederation of 15 organizations working in 92 countries.

The origins of Oxfam were at a meeting in the Church of St. Mary the Virgin in Oxford in October 1942, called by the vicar, T. R. Milford, to participate in a national famine relief committee seeking to persuade the British government to help relieve starvation in German-occupied Greece. The Oxford group, consisting of Quaker activists, retired colonial ...