Miami’s charitable marketplace ranks first in the nation: In comparing the financial performance of charities across the country, Miami's philanthropic marketplace takes the top spot beating out San Diego which ranked first for the past three years. With a median overall score of 58.37, this is the first year that Miami is ranked 1st. In previous years of this study, Miami ranked last (2003), 10th (2004), 15th (2005), 14th (2006) and 3rd (2007).

Miami’s charities reduce spending on fundraising and overhead while increasing their spending on programs: Miami’s largest charities report median fundraising expenses of 8.2% (ranked 21st) which represents an decrease from the 8.7% (26th) reported by these charities last year. They also report median administrative expenses of 8.4% (ranked 5th) which is a decrease from the 9.3% (7th) reported by Miami’s charities last year. As a result of the decrease in fundraising and administrative costs, charities in Miami are allocating a larger percentage of their budget to their programs this year (82.2%, ranked 10th) than last (78.5%, ranked last).

Miami’s philanthropic marketplace is the fastest growing in the nation: This year, Miami charities report a median 12.8% annual revenue growth rate and a 12.7% program expense growth rate. Ranked first for both of these metrics, growth among charities in Miami vastly outpaces the 6.6% revenue growth rate and 6.1% program expense growth rate exhibited nationally by charities.

CEOs are rewarded handsomely for their charity’s improved fiscal performance: Last year, the median compensation awarded to CEOs in the Miami metropolitan area was $125,555 (11th highest). Since then, Miami’s nonprofit leaders appear to have received generous raises. These leaders now earn the seventh highest salary, $141,358, which is significantly higher than the national median of $114,038.

Miami is home to more large human services charities than other cities: 34% of the largest charities in Miami are categorized as human services for their role in providing direct services to people in need. Only Indianapolis, St. Louis and Phoenix have a comparable concentration of human services charities.

With respect to their commitment to protecting donors’ rights, Miami’s charities have room for improvement: In Miami, just 37% of the city’s largest charities have implemented policies designed to protect donors that do not wish to have their personal information traded or sold to other institutions. Only five other cities report a lower percentage of charities with such policies.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Sandra Miniutti, Vice President, Marketing
(201) 818-1288 x105
media@charitynavigator.org