Disable all preview features

Human Services : Multipurpose Human Service Organizations

American Red Cross

Helping prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies

three stars

88.71

431 18th Street, NW Washington, DC 20006
tel: (800) 733-2767   Web Site
EIN: 53-0196605

Board Leadership
Bonnie McElveen-Hunter
Chairman of the Board

CEO
Gail McGovern
President, CEO

 
 
  Score
(out of 100) 		Rating
Overall Score & Rating 88.71 three stars
  Financial 84.04 three stars
  Accountability & Transparency 100.00 four stars
This rating was published 04/01/2019 and includes data from FY2018, the most recent 990 received at that time.
Why isn't this based on more recent data?

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, food and comfort to those affected by disasters, large and small. We collect lifesaving donated blood and supply it to patients in need. We provide support to our men and women in military bases around the world, and to the families they leave behind. We train communities in CPR, first aid and other skills that save lives. And we assist our neighbors abroad with critical disaster response, preparedness and disease prevention efforts. We are able to do all this by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.

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, food and comfort to those affected by disasters, large and small. We collect lifesaving donated blood and supply it to patients in need. We provide support to our men and women in military bases around the world, and to the families they leave behind. We train communities in CPR, first aid and other skills that save lives. And we assist our neighbors abroad with critical disaster response, preparedness and disease prevention efforts. We are able to do all this by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.

Impact Information

data icon
GuideStar is Charity Navigator's trusted partner in sharing information on how this organization seeks impact.  GuideStar has recognized this organization with a Platinum Seal of Transparency for voluntarily and publicly sharing information about how they measure their progress and results.  Learn More about Impact Information.
Reported Results
Showing 3 of 8
Total in 2018
Number of volunteers
372,000
Number of disaster responses
63,387
Number of services provided to military members, veterans and civilians
461,922
Persons enrolled in all health and safety courses and number of times mobile apps downloaded
7,311,070
People outside the U.S. benefiting from American Red Cross disaster, recovery or disease prevention activities
199,400,000
Number of blood and platelet donors
2,662,990
Number of people made safer through disaster education presentations
306,725
Number of smoke alarms installed
467,000
This organization has earned a GuideStar's Platinum Seal of Transparency by voluntarily sharing the measures of progress and results they use to pursue their mission. Organizations earn Platinum Seals by selecting from a catalog of over 900 expert recognized metrics or by creating a new metric that best fits their work. This information is reported by the organization and displayed publicly on their GuideStar Nonprofit Profile. With over 1.6 million Nonprofit Profiles, 9 million annual visitors and over 200 data partners, GuideStar is the world's leading source of information about nonprofit organizations. A nonprofit itself, GuideStar is dedicated to providing better data for better decisions for a better world.
This impact information is current as of January 2020, when it was provided to us by GuideStar. At this time, Impact information published on this organization's page has no effect on its rating per our methodology.

Learn more about how we calculate the overall score and rating.

Financial

three stars

84.04

Accountability & Transparency

four stars

100.00

This rating was published 04/01/2019 and includes data from FY2018, the most recent 990 received at that time.
Why isn't this based on more recent data?
Overall Rating Chart
  Program Expenses
(Percent of the charity's total expenses spent on the programs
and services it delivers)		 89.4%
  Administrative Expenses 4.0%
  Fundraising Expenses 6.4%
  Fundraising Efficiency $0.19
  Working Capital Ratio (years) 0.25
  Program Expenses Growth 3.0%
  Liabilities to Assets 51.1%
All data for Financial Performance Metrics calculations was provided by American Red Cross on recent 990s filed with the IRS.
All data for Financial Performance Metrics calculations was provided by American Red Cross on recent 990s filed with the IRS.
Information Provided on the Form 990  
  Independent Voting Board Members
  No Material diversion of assets
  Audited financials prepared by independent accountant
  Does Not Provide Loan(s) to or Receive Loan(s) From related parties
  Documents Board Meeting Minutes
  Provided copy of Form 990 to organization's governing body in advance of filing
  Conflict of Interest Policy
  Whistleblower Policy
  Records Retention and Destruction Policy
  CEO listed with salary
  Process for determining CEO compensation
  Board Listed / Board Members Not Compensated
Is the following information easily accessible on the charity's website?  
  Donor Privacy Policy
  Board Members Listed
  Audited Financials
  Form 990
  Key staff listed

Highly Rated

Charity Name & State Overall Score Overall Rating
American Red Cross (DC) 88.71 three stars
Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Effort (TN) 85.15 three stars
Christian Relief Services Charities (VA) 90.58 four stars
Convoy of Hope (MO) 95.47 four stars
Feeding America (IL) 94.28 four stars

Compare These Charities (Highly Rated)

REVENUE  
Contributions  
   Contributions, Gifts & Grants $1,388,226,652
   Federated Campaigns $50,411,782
   Membership Dues $0
   Fundraising Events $21,113,219
   Related Organizations $0
   Government Grants $48,725,644
Total Contributions $1,508,477,297
   Program Service Revenue $1,849,335,300
Total Primary Revenue $3,357,812,597
   Other Revenue $250,189,499
TOTAL REVENUE $3,608,002,096
   
EXPENSES  
   Program Expenses $2,830,834,780
   Administrative Expenses $113,608,747
   Fundraising Expenses $198,540,533
TOTAL FUNCTIONAL EXPENSES $3,142,984,060
   
Payments to Affiliates $0
Excess (or Deficit) for the year $465,018,036
   
Net Assets $1,582,151,924

Program names and associated costs are listed for the top programs as reported on the charity's most recently filed Form 990. The top programs displayed will include the largest three programs, or those programs covering at least 60% of the charity's total expenses, whichever comes first.

Program Name Amount Spent % of Program Expenses
Biomedical Services $1,806,665,421 63.8%
Domestic Disaster Services $723,986,498 25.6%
Health and Safety Services $135,997,677 4.8%

Ratings History

Form 990 FYE Date Published Overall Score Overall Rating
CN 2.1
2018-06 04/01/2019 88.71 three stars
2017-06 02/01/2018 84.09 three stars
2016-06 12/22/2017 78.78 two stars
2015-06 10/01/2016 83.33 three stars
2014-06 06/01/2016 85.01 three stars
 
CN 2.0
2014-06 09/01/2015 80.98 three stars
2014-06 05/01/2015 80.05 three stars
2013-06 07/01/2014 85.25 three stars
2012-06 09/01/2013 86.46 three stars
2011-06 06/01/2012 89.64 three stars
2010-06 09/20/2011 92.24 four stars
 
CN 1.0
2010-06 06/01/2011 86.86 three stars
2009-06 06/01/2010 85.48 three stars
2008-06 09/01/2009 84.62 three stars
2007-06 12/01/2008 79.62 two stars
2006-06 11/01/2007 99.40 four stars
2005-06 10/01/2006 95.37 four stars
2004-06 08/01/2005 90.36 four stars
2003-06 08/01/2004 94.11 four stars
2002-06 06/09/2003 96.63 four stars

The data displayed on this tab is provided by the IRS in the form of Publication 78 and the Business Master File (BMF).

EIN 53-0196605
Name in IRS Master File AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS
NTEE Code P21
NTEE Classification American Red Cross
NTEE Type Human Services - Multipurpose and Other
Classification Charitable Organization
Subsection 501(c)(3)  (View the list of codes)
Activities (902) Emergency or disaster aid fund
(561) Gifts or grants to individuals (other than scholarships)
Foundation Status Organization which receives a substantial part of its support from a governmental unit or the general public   170(b)(1)(A)(vi)
Deductibility Contributions are deductible
Affiliation Central - the organization is a central type organization (no group exemption) of a National, Regional or Geographic grouping of organizations.
Group Name [Not Applicable]
Ruling Date December, 1938
Filing Requirement 990 (all other) or 990EZ return
Fiscal Year End June
IRS Forms 990
(provided courtesy of Foundation Center)		 (Log In or Register Now to View Forms 990!)
  • June, 2018
  • June, 2017
  • June, 2016
  • June, 2015
  • June, 2014
Compensation % of Expenses Paid to Title
$673,735 0.02% Gail J. McGovern President, CEO
Other Salaries of Note
$795,036 0.02% Greg Williamson Chief Investment Officer

Highly Rated

Charity Name & State Overall Score Overall Rating
American Red Cross (DC) 88.71 three stars
Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Effort (TN) 85.15 three stars
City Year (MA) 91.21 four stars
SBP (LA) 100.00 four stars
Good360 (VA) 91.47 four stars

Compare These Charities (Highly Rated)

Are you the representative for this organization? If so, click here to access the application form. As an official representative you will have the ability to update some of the information on this page.

Charity Contact Info

American Red Cross
431 18th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20006
tel: (800) 733-2767
TTY: (800) 220-4095
EIN: 53-0196605

Mail donations to:
P.O. Box 37839
Boone, IA 50037

Visit Web Site

Board Leadership

Bonnie McElveen-Hunter
Chairman of the Board

CEO

Gail McGovern
President, CEO

please wait...

    • I want to donate to American Red Cross

      $
      next

    • Frequency

      back
      next

    • Would you like us to email someone and CC you?

      This email identifies you as the donor but does not specify the amount of your gift.
      back
    A donation of to has been added to your Giving Basket!

    Basket Total:
    Check Out Now or Continue Researching

Join Our Mailing List

Join over 400,000 other informed givers and get updates on charity ratings, new features, hot topics, and tips for donating.

As seen on