Large charities in Houston operate well within their budgets: Charities in Houston do not spend beyond their means. These charities report a median surplus of $818,975 in their most recent fiscal year. This represents the greatest surplus among all 30 metropolitan markets in the study, and is well above the national median of $255,526.

The overall ranking of Houston improves: Except for last year when this market slipped to 10th place, Houston’s philanthropic community has consistently ranked among the Top 5 for its overall fiscal health. This year, with a 56.74 median overall score (out of 70), Houston’s nonprofits possess the third highest rating in this study, outperforming 27 other markets - including Dallas. Only Miami (58.37) and San Diego (57.90) earned higher scores.

Houston’s largest charities are growing: The annual revenue growth rate seen among Houston’s charities increased from a median 4.3% (6th slowest) last year to 9.2% (4th fastest) this year. Similarly, the annual program expense growth rate for Houston’s charities increased from a median 5.5% (ranked 15th) last year to 6.5% (ranked 12th) this year.

Large charities in Houston are more efficient than large charities in other cities: Houston charities have the 5th best ‘organizational efficiency’ score among the 30 markets in the study. Four key indicators are used to determine how efficiently and responsibly a charity functions day to day and Houston’s charities excel in three of these: (1) high percentage of budget spent on programs and services (ranked 3rd), (2) low percentage of budget spent on administrative fees (ranked 2nd), and (3) low amount spent to raise a dollar in contributions (ranked 9th).

Houston’s nonprofit marketplace is focused on human services: 29% of the charities in Houston are classified as human services for their role in providing direct services to people in need. In contrast to Dallas’ high concentration of religious groups (20%), Houston has just 3% of such charities. Nationally, 20% of the largest charities in America are classified as human services and 7% are classified as religious.

Just under half of Houston’s charities have donor privacy policies: 49% of Houston’s charities have established guidelines to protect their donors’ confidential information. Nationally, 43% of charities have these policies.

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