Impact & Measurement
Accountability & Finance
Culture & Community
Leadership & Adaptability
American Red Cross
431 Eighteenth Street, NW
Washington DC 20006
Mail donations to:
P.O. Box 37839
P.O. Box 37839
Boone IA 50037
Washington DC | IRS ruling year: 1938 | EIN: 53-0196605 
An EIN is a unique nine-digit number that identifies a business for tax purposes.
An EIN is a unique nine-digit number that identifies a business for tax purposes.Organization Mission
Since its founding in 1881 by visionary leader Clara Barton, the American Red Cross has been the nation's premier emergency response organization. We bring shelter, ... (More)
Rating Information
Great
This charity's score is 99%, earning it a Four-Star rating. If this organization aligns with your passions and values, you can give with confidence.
This overall score is calculated from multiple beacon scores, weighted as follows: 35% Accountability & Finance, 44% Impact & Measurement, 9% Leadership & Adaptability, 12% Culture & Community. Learn more about our criteria and methodology.
Historical Ratings 
Historical Ratings 
Charity Navigator's ratings previously did not consider Leadership & Adaptability, Culture & Community, or Impact & Measurement. The historic rating mainly reflects a version of today’s Accountability and Finance score. More information on our previous rating methodologies can be found on our rating methodology page.
| Date Published | Overall Rating | ||
| 4/1/2023 | | ||
| 9/1/2021 |  | ||
| 5/1/2020 | | ||
| 4/1/2019 | | ||
| 2/1/2018 | | ||
| 12/22/2017 |  | ||
| 10/1/2016 | | ||
| 6/1/2016 | | ||
| 9/1/2015 | | ||
 This organization received multiple star ratings within this fiscal year, due to an update to its Accountability and Transparency data and/or the receipt of an amended Form 990. | |||
| 5/1/2015 | | ||
| 7/1/2014 | | ||
| 9/1/2013 | | ||
| 6/1/2012 | | ||
| 9/20/2011 | | ||
| 6/1/2011 | | ||
| 6/1/2010 | | ||
| 9/1/2009 | | ||
| 12/1/2008 | | ||
| 11/1/2007 | | ||
| 10/1/2006 | | ||
| 8/1/2005 | | ||
| 8/1/2004 | | ||
| 6/9/2003 | | ||
| 10/15/2002 | | ||
Rating Report
Accountability & Finance
Score
100
Most Recent Fiscal Year:
FY 2022
FY 2022
This beacon provides an assessment of a charity's financial health (financial efficiency, sustainability, and trustworthiness) and its commitment to governance practices and policies.
Key Accountability Metrics
Full Credit
Partial Credit
No CreditMajority Independent Board Members - 92% independent members8 out of 8 points
Majority Independent Board Members - 92% independent members8 out of 8 points
Industry professionals strongly recommend an independent governing body to allow for full deliberation and diversity of thinking on governance and other organizational matters. We check to see that a majority of board members are identified as independent on their tax form.
Source: IRS Form 990
Independent Board Size - 13 independent members7 out of 7 points
Independent Board Size - 13 independent members7 out of 7 points
Industry professionals strongly recommend an independent governing body to allow for full deliberation and diversity of thinking on governance and other organizational matters. For most organizations, we check to see if the organization has at least three independent board members. For large, donor-funded organizations, we check to see if the organization has at least five independent board members
Source: IRS Form 990
Financial Statements - Audit and Oversight Committee15 out of 15 points
Financial Statements - Audit and Oversight Committee15 out of 15 points
An Audit, Review, or Compilation provides important information about financial accountability and accuracy. Organizations are scored based on their Total Revenue Amount:
| Total Revenue Amount | Expectation to Receive Credit |
| $2 million or higher and 40% or higher donor support | Expected to complete an audit and have an audit oversight committee |
| $1 million or higher | Expected to complete an audit |
| $500,000 - $1 million | Expected to complete an audit, review, or compilation |
| Less than $500,000 | No expectation (removed from scoring methodology) |
Source: IRS Form 990
Material Diversion of Assets - None10 out of 10 points
Material Diversion of Assets - None10 out of 10 points
A diversion of assets — any unauthorized conversion or use of the organization's assets other than for the organization's authorized purposes, including but not limited to embezzlement or theft — also can seriously call into question a charity's financial integrity. We review the charity's most recent IRS Form 990 to see if the charity has reported any diversion of assets.
Source: IRS Form 990
Tax Form Disclosures and Policies
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditWebsite Listed on Tax Form - Listed2 out of 2 points
Website Listed on Tax Form - Listed2 out of 2 points
Charity Navigator looks for a website on the IRS Form 990 as an accountability and transparency metric.
Nonprofits act in the public trust and reporting publicly on activities is an important component.
Source: IRS Form 990
Conflict of Interest Policy - Listed4 out of 4 points
Conflict of Interest Policy - Listed4 out of 4 points
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a conflict of interest policy on the IRS Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.
This policy protects the organization and by extension those it serves, when it is considering entering into a transaction that may benefit the private interest of an officer, director and/or key employee of the organization.
Source: IRS Form 990
Whistleblower Policy - Listed4 out of 4 points
Whistleblower Policy - Listed4 out of 4 points
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a whistleblower policy per the IRS Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.
This policy outlines procedures for handling employee complaints, as well as a confidential way for employees to report financial or other types of mismanagement.
Source: IRS Form 990
Document Retention and Destruction - Listed4 out of 4 points
Document Retention and Destruction - Listed4 out of 4 points
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a document retention and destruction policy per the IRS Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.
This policy establishes guidelines for the handling, backing up, archiving and destruction of documents. These guidelines foster good record keeping procedures that promote data integrity.
Source: IRS Form 990
Documents Board Meeting Minutes - Yes2 out of 2 points
Documents Board Meeting Minutes - Yes2 out of 2 points
Charity Navigator looks to confirm on the IRS Form 990 that the organization has this process in place as an accountability and transparency measure.
An official record of the events that take place during a board meeting ensures that a contemporaneous document exists for future reference.
Source: IRS Form 990
Website Disclosures
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditTax Form Posted on Nonprofit's Website - Listed4 out of 4 points
Tax Form Posted on Nonprofit's Website - Listed4 out of 4 points
For almost all charities, we check the charity's IRS Form 990 to see if it discloses that the Form 990 is available on the charity's website. As with the audited financial statement, donors need easy access to this financial report to help determine if the organization is managing its financial resources well.
Source: IRS Form 990
Financial Metrics
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditLiabilities to Assets: Ratio - 30.26%15 out of 15 points
Liabilities to Assets: Ratio - 30.26%15 out of 15 points
The Liabilities to Assets Ratio is determined by Total Liabilities divided by Total Assets (most recent IRS Form 990). This ratio is an indicator of an organization's solvency and/or long-term sustainability.
Source: IRS Form 990
Program Expense: Ratio - 90.64%25 out of 25 points
Program Expense: Ratio - 90.64%25 out of 25 points
The Program Expense Ratio is determined by Program Expenses divided by Total Expense (average of most recent three IRS Forms 990). This measure reflects the percent of its total expenses a charity spends on the programs and services it exists to deliver.
Source: IRS Form 990
Additional Information
Total Revenue and Expenses - Data Available
Total Revenue and Expenses - Data Available
This chart displays the trend of revenue and expenses over the past several years for this organization, as reported on their IRS Form 990.
Salary of Key Persons - Data Available
Salary of Key Persons - Data Available
Presented here are up to five of this organization's highest compensated employees. This compensation data includes salary, cash bonuses, and expense accounts and is displayed exactly how it is reported to the IRS. The amounts do not include nontaxable benefits, deferred compensation, or other amounts not reported on Form W-2. In some cases, these amounts may include compensation from related organizations. Read the IRS policies for compensation reporting
Gail Mcgovern, President & Ceo
$819,082
Clifford Holtz, Chief Operating Officer
$703,259
Chris Hrouda, President, Biomedical Services
$686,584
Shaun Gilmore, Chief Transformation Officer
$650,644
Brian Rhoa, Chief Financial Officer
$566,821
Source: IRS Form 990 (page 7), filing year 2022
IRS Published Data (Business Master File) - Data Available
IRS Published Data (Business Master File) - Data Available
Below are some key data points from the Exempt Organization IRS Business Master File (BMF) for this organization. Learn more about the BMF on the IRS website
Foundation Status:
Organization which receives a substantial part of its support from a governmental unit or the general public 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) (BMF foundation code: 15)
Affiliation:
Central - the organization is a central type organization (no group exemption) of a National, Regional or Geographic grouping of organizations. (BMF affiliation code: 1)
Data Sources (IRS Forms 990) - Data Available
Data Sources (IRS Forms 990) - Data Available
The Form 990 is a document that nonprofit organizations file with the IRS annually. We leverage accountability and finance data from it to form Encompass ratings. Click here to search for this organization's Forms 990 on the IRS website (if any are available). Simply enter the organization's name (American Red Cross) or EIN (530196605) in the 'Search Term' field.
Impact & Measurement
Score
100
This beacon estimates the actual impact a charity has on the lives of those it serves, and determines whether it is making good use of donor resources to achieve that impact.
Assessments
Impact
100 out of 100 points
100% of Impact & Measurement score
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditImpact Determination - Highly Cost Effective100 out of 100 points
Impact Determination - Highly Cost Effective100 out of 100 points
Impact Statement
This impact rating was produced using a previous methodology that is not updated to reflect inflation, and we are therefore unable to generate a dollar-specific impact statement.
Program Context
The American Red Cross collects blood from donors, which it then distributes to hospitals. The hospitals use the blood in transfusions for a variety of reasons, such as serious injury, bleeding disorders, kidney failure, chemotherapy, etc.
Data Time Period
7/1/2018 to 6/30/2019
Benchmark for Scoring
Impact & Results score of this program is based on the incremental cost to avert one DALY. In accordance with W.H.O. standards, the program is considered highly cost-effective if it averts a DALY at a cost less than the nation's GDP per capita, earning a score of 100. If the program averts a DALY at a cost between one and three times U.S. GDP per capita, it is considered cost-effective and earns a score of 65. If the program averts a DALY for greater than three times GDP per capita, it earns a score of 65.
This nonprofit's cost per meal is less than 125% of the local meal cost.
Methodology
Nonprofit submission
Data Source
These data were submitted directly by the nonprofit.
Measurement
Unscored
0% of Impact & Measurement score
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditProgram Planning and Design - No data availableProgram Planning and Design - No data availableThis section assesses the use of crucial evaluation tools in program objective-setting and activities.
Program Development - No data availableProgram Development - No data availableThis section assesses the consideration of stakeholders in program objectives and activities.
Data Collection and Analysis - No data availableData Collection and Analysis - No data availableThis section assesses the best practices used in collecting and analyzing program data.
Reporting and Distribution of Results - No data availableReporting and Distribution of Results - No data availableThis section assesses reporting and disseminating program results.
Use of Results - No data availableUse of Results - No data availableThis section assesses the use of results to guide learning.
Culture & Community
Score
93
This beacon provides an assessment of the organization's culture and connectedness to the community it serves.
Metrics
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditConstituent Feedback - Data Available100/100 points
Constituent Feedback - Data Available100/100 points
33.33% of beacon score
This organization reported that it is collecting feedback from the constituents and/or communities it serves. The methodology leveraged for Constituent Feedback is based on The Core Principles of Constituent Feedback, which describes listening and responding well to feedback. Charity Navigator participates in a consortium with other feedback experts and leading nonprofit infrastructure platforms to drive Constituent Feedback's advancement, promotion, and data collection.
How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve
What challenges does your organization face in collecting feedback from the people you serve?
We don't have any major challenges to collecting feedback
Equity Practices - Data Available89/100 points
Equity Practices - Data Available89/100 points
66.67% of beacon score
This organization's score of 89 is a passing score. The organization reported that it is implementing 9 Equity Practices.
This assessment demonstrates the importance of implementing practices that contribute positively to an organization's overall culture, both internally and with respect to community engagement. Furthermore, equity centered frameworks and similar approaches have drawn much attention from donors, experts, and sector leaders who underscore its value to the nonprofit's overall health and capacity for mission success. Currently, the Equity Strategies Checklist assessment consists of practices and policies that promote racial equity in their operations and programs (per the Equity Strategies checklist administered by Candid). As we refine our DEI assessment, Charity Navigator partners with DEI consultants and field experts to broaden and deepen this work.
| Equity Practices (3/7) | |
We review compensation data across the organization (and by staff levels) to identify disparities by race. | |
We ask team members to identify racial disparities in their programs and/or portfolios. | |
We analyze disaggregated data and root causes of race disparities that impact the organization/'s programs, portfolios, and the populations served. | |
We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support. | |
We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders. | |
We disaggregate data by demographics, including race, in every policy and program measured | |
We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization. | |
| Equity Policies and Procedures (6/7) | |
We use a vetting process to identify vendors and partners that share our commitment to race equity. | |
We have a promotion process that anticipates and mitigates implicit and explicit biases about people of color serving in leadership positions. | |
We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization. | |
We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board. | |
We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability. | |
We measure and then disaggregate job satisfaction and retention data by race, function, level, and/or team. | |
We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization. | |
Leadership & Adaptability
Score
100
This beacon provides an assessment of the organization's leadership capacity, strategic thinking and planning, and ability to innovate or respond to changes in constituent demand/need or other relevant social and economic conditions to achieve the organization's mission.
- Strategic Partnerships
- Networks of Collective Impact Efforts
- Thought Leadership
- Raising Awareness
- Community Building
- Policy Advocacy
Metrics
Full CreditPartial CreditNo CreditMission 10/10 points
Mission 10/10 points
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization's mission
Note: The organization did not respond to this question.
Vision 10/10 points
Vision 10/10 points
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization’s vision.
Note: The organization did not respond to this question.
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
Goals 20/20 points
Goals 20/20 points
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking and goal setting through sharing their most important strategic goals.
Goal One: Mission: Focus on areas that our employees and volunteers are passionate about, including sickle cell patients’ needs, environmental sustainability, climate change, diversity and inclusion, and more.
Goal Type: Grow, expand, scale or increase access to the existing programs and services.
Goal Two: Money: In Biomed, we continue to focus on low-cost producer strategy; In Humanitarian, we will adapt to meet climate change, grow blue sky fundraising and increase One Red Cross support.
Goal Type: New program(s) based on observed changes in needs among our constituencies/communities served.
Goal Three: People: The most significant focus of our strategic plan is investment in our most valued asset – our workforce – through wages, health care and benefits.
Goal Type: Invest in the capacity of our organization (financial, management, technical, etc.).
Leadership Development 15/15 points
Leadership Development 15/15 points
The nonprofit provides evidence of investment in leadership development
Describe an investment in leadership
The American Red Cross Leadership Education and Development Program, commonly known as LEAD, is an enterprise-wide leadership development program for high-performing employees interested in becoming a senior-level leader at the Red Cross. It cultivates our organization’s future leadership capacity by providing focused development opportunities for program participants to enhance individual performance.
Mobilizing for Mission 15/15 points
Mobilizing for Mission 15/15 points
The nonprofit provides evidence of leadership through focusing externally and mobilizing resources for the mission.
This organization mobilizes for mission in the following ways:
What are this organization’s external mobilizaton efforts?
The American Red Cross has a variety of external mobilization efforts:
- Local Red Cross board members partner with local Executive leaders to develop and monitor local strategies to deliver mission-related services, raise funds in accordance with the Red Cross goals, and serve as the “Face of the Red Cross” in their communities.
- Red Cross Government Relations staff promotes American Red Cross priorities at all levels of government through education and advocacy.
- Red Cross Disaster Cycle Services staff and volunteers help communities prepare, respond and recover from disasters big and small, working regularly with local and national partners.
- Red Cross Communications and Marketing raise awareness around our missions five lines of service, and how to help.
Adaptability Story 30/30 points
Adaptability Story 30/30 points
The nonprofit has an opportunity to tell the story of how the organization adapted to tremendous external changes in the last year.
In the face of numerous challenges, the dedicated volunteers, employees and supporters of the American Red Cross have continued to bring our humanitarian mission to life, every
day. Amid the difficult circumstances and frightening unknowns of a deadly pandemic, thousands of Red Crossers came together to do what they’ve always done—provide help and hope for people who count on us in times of crisis.
Our Biomedical Services team members collected and delivered lifesaving blood and blood products for cancer patients, accident victims and others with critical medical needs, despite unpredictable demand and thousands of canceled blood drives. We developed new safety protocols to protect the health of our
blood donors and workers, and we worked diligently to identify new venues for collecting blood and innovative ways to improve productivity for patients counting on us.
We also faced one of the worst disaster years on record—with historic wildfires and back-to-back hurricanes, destructive tornadoes and thousands of daily emergencies like home fires. Tireless Red Cross disaster response teams provided close to 1.5 million overnight stays in hotels to families suffering in the wake of these disasters—offering food, comfort and hope to people in their darkest hours.
The Red Cross also carried forward our critical work in handling emergency calls and providing support services for our nation’s military members, veterans and their families. We continued to help our sister Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies around the globe with preparedness and disease prevention training—including efforts to help stop the spread of COVID-19. And our Training Services group quickly adapted to train people in a virtual environment.