Their mission is "Waging Peace. Fighting Disease. Building Hope." Since 1982, the Carter Center has partnered with Emory University to focus on a commitment to support human rights, fight human suffering and improving overall international public health. The Center also features the Jimmy Carter Library and Museum and the Carter Center gardens.

Led by the Carters and an independent board of trustees, the Center's staff wage peace, fight disease, and build hope by both engaging with those at the highest levels of government and working side by side with poor and often forgotten people.

In this way, the Center has strengthened democracies in Asia, Latin America, and Africa; helped farmers double or triple grain production in 15 African countries; mediated or worked to prevent civil and international conflicts; intervened to prevent unnecessary diseases in Latin America and Africa, including the near eradication of Guinea worm disease; and strived to diminish the stigma against mental illness. A not-for-profit, nongovernmental organization, the Center's work is supported by donations from individuals, foundations, corporations, and countries.