America's Most Charitable Cities
According to the Nation's Leading Charity Evaluator, Miami Charities Top Annual List; Detroit Worst in Nation
MAHWAH, N.J., June 1, 2008 – Charities in Miami, San Diego and Houston show greater financial health than those found in Detroit, Indianapolis and Baltimore, according to a study by Charity Navigator, America's largest charity evaluator. The sixth annual study of the nation’s top 30 philanthropic markets revealed that some cities are home to more financially healthy charities than others. The study shows that Miami’s charities are growing the fastest, New York’s charities pay their CEOs the most, Denver’s charities spend the least on programs, St. Louis’ charities have the most substantial rainy day funds, and Orlando’s charities raised the least money.
In its study, Charity Navigator compared the median performance and size of the largest nonprofits in the 30 largest metropolitan markets. Those markets account for 55% of the charities evaluated by Charity Navigator and they generate 66% of the total revenue and total spending. The study revealed that regional factors, such as the cost of living, a market’s maturity and a city’s tendency to support one or two specialized causes, greatly influence the ability of the charities in each city to raise money and manage costs. In terms of their overall financial health, the study’s highest and lowest rated charitable communities are:
Highest Rated
| 2008 Ranking | 2007 Ranking |
|---|---|
| 1) Miami | 1) San Diego |
| 2) San Diego | 2) Dallas |
| 3) Houston | 3) Miami |
| 4) Pittsburgh | 4) Colorado Springs |
| 5) Boston | 5) St. Louis |
Lowest Rated
| 2008 Ranking | 2007 Ranking |
|---|---|
| 30) Detroit | 30) Detroit |
| 29) Indianapolis | 29) Kansas City |
| 28) Baltimore | 28) Portland |
| 27) Charlotte | 27) San Francisco |
| 26) Portland | 26) Indianapolis |
“This study is the only comprehensive examination of the financial performance of the largest charities in America,” said Charity Navigator vice president Sandra Miniutti. “Our report highlights both the strengths and weaknesses of each philanthropic marketplace. The study is not meant to condemn those who underperform, but rather to serve as a tool to help charity leaders start a dialogue across charitable communities to facilitate the implementation of best practices.”
Additional findings from the report include:
- Market Size: New York City (575 large charities), D.C. (495) and L.A. (185) are more crowded and competitive philanthropic markets than Cincinnati (32), Nashville (31) and Charlotte (28).
- CEO Compensation: Charity executives in New York City ($168,646) and San Diego ($154,285) earn considerably more than those in Indianapolis ($90,682) and Portland ($99,521).
- Fundraising Efficiency: Milwaukee’s charities are the most efficient in their fundraising endeavors. Indianapolis’ charities are the least.
- Annual Growth: Charities in Miami are among the fastest growing, while charities in Detroit and are among the slowest.
- Wealth: Pittsburgh’s largest charities are generally richer in assets and working capital than charities in other parts of the country, while charities in Orlando are less financially secure.
- Donor Privacy Policy: Milwaukee (71%) and Cincinnati (63%) have higher percentages of charities with written donor privacy plans; Pittsburgh (25%) and Philadelphia (31%) have the lowest percentage of charities with such policies.
Charity Navigator's ratings are accessible at no charge at www.charitynavigator.org, and catalog the financial health of over 5,300 of America's best-known charities. Charity Navigator analysts examine two broad areas of a charity’s financial health --- how responsibly it functions day to day as well as how well positioned it is to sustain its programs over time --- and assign an overall rating, ranging from zero to four stars. To help donors avoid becoming victims of mailing-list appeals, each charity's commitment to keeping donors' personal information confidential is assessed. The site is easily navigable by charity name, location or type of activity. Once donors identify well-run charities deserving of their support, the site offers the added convenience of online giving.
About Charity Navigator:
Charity Navigator is the largest charity evaluator in America and its website attracts more visitors than all other charity rating groups combined. The organization guides intelligent giving by evaluating the financial health of over 5,300 charities. Charity Navigator is a 501 (c)(3) organization that accepts no advertising or donations from the organizations it evaluates, ensuring unbiased evaluations. Charity Navigator, www.charitynavigator.org, can be reached directly by telephone at (201) 818-1288, or by mail at 1200 MacArthur Blvd, 2nd Floor, Mahwah, N.J., 07430.
To access the complete study visit: www.charitynavigator.org/metro
