The organization "Friends of Soviet Russia" was officially established in the USA on August 9, 1921, as a branch of the American Labor Alliance for Trade Relations with Soviet Russia. It was conceived as a mass organization focused on raising funds to assist those affected by famine in Soviet Russia in 1921. The organization provided food and clothing for immediate relief, as well as agricultural tools and equipment for the recovery of agriculture.

From 1927, the organization became known as "Friends of the Soviet Union" and became the American branch of a new international body, the International Association of Friends of the Soviet Union.

"Friends of Soviet Russia" successfully raised about $750,000 and clothing worth $300,000 in the first 14 months of its operation. Fundraising was conducted transparently: each issue of Soviet Russia published the names of donors and the amounts donated, as well as detailed lists of expenditures that were regularly audited.

In December 1922, the organization published a program outlining its goals: (1) support for the provision of loans and recognition of the Soviet government; (2) collection and distribution of funds for clothing and food for those in need in Soviet Russia, distributed through the Soviet government regardless of political views; (3) advocacy for non-interference in the affairs of the Russian people in choosing their form of government; (4) fundraising for tools to restore industry; and (5) dissemination of truthful information about Soviet Russia and fostering sympathy towards it.