Best-rated charities by cause

Every cause area

How the grade is calculated

Four criteria carry the grade: the share of spending that reaches programs (watchdogs look for 75% or more), the cost to raise $100, whether reserves cover a reasonable stretch of operating expenses, and whether the organization files complete returns on time. The full rules — including what caps a grade — are on the methodology page.

Frequently asked questions

What makes a charity “best-rated” here?

A financial grade, not an opinion. Every organization is graded A+ to F from its own IRS Form 990 filings: how much of each dollar reaches programs, what it costs to raise money, and whether reserves and reporting look healthy. Only A-range organizations appear on these pages.

Does a high grade mean the charity does good work?

It means the money is handled well. A grade measures financial efficiency and transparency — it cannot measure whether the programs themselves change lives. Use it to rule out organizations that spend your donation badly, then read the mission and program descriptions on the profile.

How often do the grades change?

Grades are recalculated whenever the IRS publishes new e-filed Form 990 data, which is roughly monthly. Each profile shows the tax year the numbers come from.