When donating to a charity, it’s essential to ensure your money is going where it’s most needed—directly toward the cause. Some charities are known for their high percentage of donations going to their programs, meaning they spend less on overhead like salaries and fundraising.
Here’s a list of charities that give the highest percentage to their cause, making sure that the bulk of your donation is going directly to help those in need.
1. Direct Relief
Direct Relief is an organization that provides medical assistance to improve the health and lives of people affected by poverty and emergencies. It is highly rated for its transparency and effectiveness.
- Percentage to cause: 99%
- What they do: Provides medical aid, disaster relief, and emergency preparedness in the U.S. and internationally.
- Why they’re effective: Direct Relief spends a very small portion of its funds on administrative costs, ensuring that nearly every dollar donated goes toward providing essential healthcare supplies and support.
2. MAP International
MAP International focuses on providing essential medicines and health supplies to the world’s poorest communities. They are known for their efficiency and effectiveness in delivering health resources.
- Percentage to cause: 99.3%
- What they do: Provides medicines, health supplies, and relief resources to those affected by disease, poverty, and disasters.
- Why they’re effective: MAP International has a high donation-to-cause ratio, meaning most of their funds go directly to providing life-saving medications and healthcare support.
3. World Food Program USA
The World Food Program USA supports the United Nations World Food Programme, focusing on fighting global hunger. The organization consistently directs nearly all donations toward feeding those in need.
- Percentage to cause: 98%
- What they do: Provides food assistance and nutritional support to people affected by conflict, disasters, and poverty across the globe.
- Why they’re effective: With minimal administrative overhead, World Food Program USA ensures that most donations go directly to fighting hunger in the world’s most vulnerable regions.
4. The Against Malaria Foundation
The Against Malaria Foundation is well-regarded for its transparency and high percentage of funds directed toward its primary goal: preventing malaria.
- Percentage to cause: 99%
- What they do: Distributes insecticide-treated bed nets to protect people from malaria in areas with high transmission rates.
- Why they’re effective: Almost every dollar donated is used to purchase and distribute bed nets, making it one of the most effective charities in terms of impact per dollar.
5. GiveDirectly
GiveDirectly is unique in its approach, providing cash transfers directly to people in poverty, allowing them to spend the money on what they need most.
- Percentage to cause: 90%
- What they do: Provides cash transfers to individuals in extreme poverty, primarily in Africa.
- Why they’re effective: GiveDirectly’s model ensures that 90% of each donation goes directly to recipients, with research showing that this method empowers people to lift themselves out of poverty.
6. The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International
The Rotary Foundation supports projects that improve health, provide quality education, promote peace, and alleviate poverty. It is known for its low administrative costs.
- Percentage to cause: 92%
- What they do: Supports initiatives in peacebuilding, disease prevention, clean water, sanitation, education, and economic development.
- Why they’re effective: The Rotary Foundation directs a high percentage of donations to projects, relying heavily on volunteers, which helps keep administrative costs low.
7. Feeding America
Feeding America is one of the largest hunger-relief organizations in the United States, helping food banks distribute meals to people in need.
- Percentage to cause: 99%
- What they do: Distributes food and meals to more than 200 food banks across the U.S.
- Why they’re effective: The vast majority of donations go toward food distribution and hunger-relief programs, with only a small percentage allocated to overhead.
8. Brother’s Brother Foundation
The Brother’s Brother Foundation is a charity focused on providing medical, educational, and humanitarian aid to communities in need worldwide.
- Percentage to cause: 99%
- What they do: Delivers medicines, medical supplies, educational materials, and disaster relief resources.
- Why they’re effective: Brother’s Brother Foundation uses almost all its donations for direct aid, maximizing the impact of every contribution.
9. The Carter Center
Founded by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, The Carter Center is dedicated to advancing human rights and alleviating suffering around the world, particularly through disease eradication.
- Percentage to cause: 96%
- What they do: Focuses on global health initiatives, human rights, and democracy building.
- Why they’re effective: The Carter Center is highly transparent and directs the bulk of its funds to critical global health programs like eradicating diseases such as Guinea worm and river blindness.
10. International Children’s Fund
International Children’s Fund works to meet the basic needs of children in poverty-stricken areas of Africa by providing food, medicine, and clothing.
- Percentage to cause: 98%
- What they do: Supplies food, medicine, and clothing to children and families in Africa.
- Why they’re effective: With extremely low overhead costs, the majority of their funds go directly to helping children in need, ensuring that donations make a tangible difference.
11. Water Mission
Water Mission designs, builds, and implements safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) solutions for people in developing countries and disaster areas.
- Percentage to cause: 91%
- What they do: Provides clean water and sanitation systems to communities in need.
- Why they’re effective: Water Mission keeps overhead costs low, using the bulk of its funds to directly provide water and sanitation solutions.
Final Thoughts
When donating to a charity, it’s important to ensure your contribution is making the greatest possible impact. The charities listed above consistently rank among those that dedicate the highest percentage of donations to their programs and causes, with minimal overhead or administrative costs. By donating to these organizations, you can feel confident that your money is being used effectively to make a real difference in the world.
If you’re ever unsure about a specific charity, websites like Charity Navigator or GuideStar provide transparency ratings to help you make informed decisions about where your donations will have the most impact.