Metro Market Study 2012
Charity Navigator recently completed our eight annual national study to analyze any statistical differences in the financial, accountability and transparency practices of charities located in various metropolitan markets across America. We also determine if any differences exist in individual philanthropic communities from year to year.
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Interactive Chart
Methodology
We began by segmenting the charities in our database into 30 major metropolitan markets.
- The 30 metro markets account for 55% of the 5,500 charities evaluated by Charity Navigator as of May 1, 2012.
- These charities generate 67% of the total revenue and the total expenses.
- The largest market included 594 charities and the smallest comprised 31.
Using the data we've obtained from the charities' Forms 990 and their websites, we calculated the median value of the following variables to reveal possible differences in financial, accountability and transparency practices of the various philanthropic metropolitan markets.
Rating Dimensions
- Overall Score
- Financial Score
- Accountability & Transparency Score
Financial Metrics
- Program Expenses
- Administrative Expenses
- Fundraising Expenses
- Fundraising Efficiency
- Primary Revenue Growth
- Program Expenses Growth
- Working Capital Ratio
Accountability & Transparency Metrics
- Any Donor Privacy Policy
- Strict Donor Privacy Policy
- Form 990 Online
- Audited Financial Statements Online
- Board List Online
- Senior Staff Online
Size Metrics
Results
Our analysis, completed in May of 2012, demonstrated that the financial, accountability and transparency behavoirs of America's largest charities is influenced by the metropolitan market within which the charity operates. For example, the fact that charities in New York City spend 3% more of their budgets on fundraising than do charities in Cleveland is an important realization for the charities and donors in each of those cities. It doesn’t mean that New York’s charities are wasteful or poorly managed. Rather, it means that the cost of fundraising in New York City is greater and its sector is more crowded. Recognizing these differences is essential to the effective management and evaluation of nonprofits.
For more differences between cities, use the interactive chart on the right.
Press Release - June 1, 2012
What Are the Most High-Performing Charities in America?
© 2012 Charity Navigator. Note: all data is based on Charity Navigator's June 2012 Metro Market Charitable Analysis Study. These sector reports do not claim to represent median data for all charities. Charity Navigator is the largest evaluator of 501 (c) (3) charities in the U.S.
