2. 02
Americans are generous when it comes to
charitable giving. The top ten charities in the
country received $51.5 billion in donations, and
that represents just over 12% of giving
nationally. It’s clear that people in the United
States want to make a difference in the world. In
order to do that, they want to give to the most
reputable organizations that do the best with
the money they’re given. Some of
America’s favorite charities fall into the
medical, educational, and environmental
categories.
3. 03
Before people do their giving, it’s important that they do
some research first. Organizations like Charity Navigator
track what information non-profits report. They give
charities a grade out of 100 and a star rating. The Charity
Navigator site breaks down how much a non-profit spends
on marketing and administration, and how much actually
supports the stated cause. One example of a well-rated
charity is St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. This charity
provides free medical care to children. It is one of America’s
favorites, receiving $1.7 billion in private donations. They’re
also a four-star rated charity, with a score of over 91 on
Charity Navigator. Donors can be confident their money is
making a difference.
4. 04
Other charities that America loves include the
Salvation Army. In 2019, this religious
organization was rated No. 2 in total giving, with
$2 billion in private donations.
This organization provides a whole host of
services. They’re perhaps best known for the
thrift stores they operate. These provide job
training. The organization is also known for its
outreach to homeless populations, providing
food, and sometimes hotel vouchers to families in
need. They also provide drug and alcohol rehab
for addicts.
Finally, the Salvation Army provides disaster
relief internationally for events like the ongoing
bush fires in Australia.
5. 05
Finally, the YMCA is an organization focused
mostly on youth and families. They provide
affordable summer camps, sports leagues, and
other programming that’s accessible to
working families. This organization serves over
13 million adults and 9 million minor children
in the US annually. Their services focus on
encouraging health, wellness, and pro-social
behavior. The YMCA was America’s ninth
favorite charity overall for the year 2019. This
organization received over $1 billion in private
donations for that year.