11 Largest Charities In America

Have you been curious which are the 11 largest charities in America? According to a report by Oxfam, eight highest net-worth individuals own as much wealth as the poorest half of the world’s population. The report calls the gap “obscene” and also highlights that the wealth of the super-rich people has increased by 11% a year since 2009, while the total wealth of the poorest 50% in the world has dropped by 41% between 2010 and 2015. It is important to note that the world population increased by 400 million in those five years.

However, in a world where economic polarity and monopolistic capitalism are on the rise, charity is the only hope for some people. The statistics here could help you regain your faith in humanity. As of the end of 2015, over $373 billion was given to charitable causes around the world, an increase of 4.1% as compared to 2014.  Generous individuals and billionaires took a lead, accounting for 71% of these total givings, while only 3.9% of the donations came from corporations. An important data point suggests that most of the charity donations go to the religious groups in the world. In 2015, a whopping $119 billion was given to religion-based charities, while $57.48 billion was donated to education charities. A large part of the charity donations come from these 10 most charitable countries in the world.

Thousands of charitable organizations are sprouting up every year in America. According to a report from Urban Institute, the number of nonprofit organizations registered with the IRS increased by 2.8% to 1.41 million from 1.38 million. US federal government gives special grants to various charity organizations, but experts think these federal donations will dwindle in size in the coming future. It is socially imperative for the rich individuals, private sector organizations and general masses to help the culture of charity and donations.

People in the US enjoy tax relaxation on charity, but reports suggest that a tax reforms program is on the table, which will end deductions on charitable contributions. The fast-track tax reform legislation in Congress and President Trump’s tax program will limit tax incentives for charitable giving and estate tax repeal. The new law will reduce the number of Americans who take charitable deductions every year from 25% to just 5%. In 2014, charitable deductions were claimed by by 36.2 million households, according to the Tax Foundation. Analysts think that this reform plan is one of the biggest threats to charity in the country seen in almost a century.

With this in mind, let’s take a closer look at the 11 largest charities in America. Our ranking is based on private donations collected by these charities as reported by Forbes.

11. Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity is an Atlanta, Georgia-based charity which is focused on providing simple and affordable housing for the poor. The organization, which was founded in 1796, operates in US, Canda, Africa, Middle East, Asia Pacific, Europe and Central Asia. The charity’s private donations as of 2016 amount to $829 million.

10. Goodwill Industries

Next in line on our list of largest charities in America is Goodwill Industries, a Boston-based charity, is engaged in running used-goods stores and also helps people get jobs. It provides job training and employment placement services to the people who have problems in getting jobs. In 2015, Goodwill Industries served over 37 million people, and helped over 312,000 people get jobs. Its private donations in 2016 totaled $902 million.

9. Catholic Charities USA

Catholic Charities USA is a network of 160 local Catholic Christian charities which provide basic health services, clothing, food and disaster relief.  Over $2 billion of Catholic Charities USA’s budget comes from Faith-Based Initiatives Office of the federal government. It collected $921 million in private donations in 2016.

8. Boys & Girls Club of America

Boys & Girls Club of America that ranked 8th on our list of largest charities in America is an Atlanta-based charity which provides after-school care and upbringing. Boys & Girls Club of America is tax-exempt and partially funded by the federal government. As of the end of 2016, this charity has private donations worth $923 million.

7. Food for Poor

Food for Poor is a Christian nonprofit charity, which provides food, clean water, health services, shelter and basic education to the poor in Latin America and the Caribbean. Food for Poor was started by Ferdinand Mahfood in 1982, who later resigned from the CEO positions after allegations of funneling charity money to two of his female employees with whom he allegedly had sexual relations. Food for Poor received $1.2 billion in private donations in 2016, most of which were in the form of gifts and food products.

6. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Next on our list of largest charities in America is the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital that is a nonprofit medical facility for treating pediatric diseases. It was founded in 1962 by stage actor Danny Thomas. St. Jude Children Research Hospital has over 3,900 employees and its revenue is about $1.4 billion. The charity collected $1.2 billion in private donations last year.

5. YMCA of the USA

YMCA of the USA is a Chicago-based charity which was founded in 1844. YCMA is focused on providing fitness facilities for the youth. It has total donations of worth $1.20 billion. YCMA draws inspiration for its cause from Christian principles which give huge importance to the soundness of “body, mind, and spirit”. YCMA’s total private donations amounted to around $1.2 billion.

4. Salvation Army

The Salvation Army is a quasi-military style charity based in London. The organization has over 1.5 million members worldwide, who are often known as Salvationists. The charity was founded in 1865 by a preacher named William Booth. The Salvation Army provides social aid, food and shelter for millions of poor people across the world. It received $1.9 billion in private donations in 2016.

3. Feeding America

Feeding America, next on our list of largest charities in America, runs a network of over 200 food banks and shelters where it feeds 46 million people through food pantries, mobile cafes and small kitchens. It reported having total private donations of about $2.2 billion in 2016. In 2015, McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD)’s donated 25,000 Happy Meals to Feeding Northeast Florida (FNEFL), affiliate of Feeding America, to feed hungry and poor children in Florida.

2. Task Force For Global Health

Task Force For Global Health is also one of the 11 largest charities in America. It is focused on improving people’s health and was founded by pioneer Dr. William Foege in 1984. Task Force For Global Health runs eight programs including vaccines, field epidemiology, public health informatics, and health workforce development.  In 2016, the charity received $3.2 billion worth of private donations from around the world.

1. United Way Worldwide

United Way Worldwide is the largest charity in America in terms of total donations received. The charity has a network of over 1,800 affiliates and volunteers. Its main donation model is based on payroll deductions consented by people around the world every month. United Way’s total worth is over $38 billion. United Way received $3.7 billion in private donations in 2016.