Direct Relief
99% goes to programs $0 to raise $100 Strong reserves
Direct Relief is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Santa Barbara, California, registered in 1949, with $2,398,998,642 in FY2024 revenue. CharityIndex grades it A+, and it directs about 99% of spending to programs.
6100 Wallace Becknell Rd, Santa Barbara, CA, 93117 EIN 95-1831116 Since 1949
Revenue (FY2024)
$2.4B
▲ 0.7% vs prior year
International median: $227K
Expenses (FY2024)
$2.3B
Net assets
$1.2B
Employees
164
CharityIndex rating
One independent A+ to F grade from four published criteria, each scored separately from IRS filings and combined by weight.
A+
A+Program efficiency40% of the rating99% to programs · $0 to raise $100
Measures how much of every dollar spent actually reaches programs, plus what it costs to raise $100 of donations. The worse of the two measures sets the letter (85%+ to programs is an A; under $15 to raise $100 is an A), averaged over the three most recent filings. For Direct Relief: 99% to programs · $0 to raise $100 earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
AFinancial health25% of the rating6 mo reserves · +4% margin
Measures whether the organization is built to last: how many months its reserves would cover expenses (3+ months earns an A-range score, but hoarding 5+ years of budget is capped) and whether it runs a surplus or a deficit. For Direct Relief: 6 mo reserves · +4% margin earns a A on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
A+Governance25% of the rating6 of 6 checks met
Checks how the organization is run, from its own Form 990: an independent board majority, a board of five or more, conflict-of-interest, whistleblower and document-retention policies, and independently audited financials. The share of disclosed checks that pass sets the letter. For Direct Relief: 6 of 6 checks met earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
A+Transparency10% of the rating5 of 5 disclosure signals
Counts five disclosure signals: a recent filing, a mission statement, program descriptions, a listed website, and the full expense breakdown. More disclosure, better letter. For Direct Relief: 5 of 5 disclosure signals earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
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Mission
Improve the health and lives of people affected by poverty or emergency situations.
What they do
Disaster response - direct relief, through its disaster response programs, addresses the needs of vulnerable communities before disasters strike by pre positioning emergency medical materials with healthcare facilities in areas at risk from natural disasters. when disasters occur, direct relief leverages its network of healthcare providers to assess immediate needs, understand the situation, and respond quickly and precisely. direct relief's efforts are alwaysin response to specific requests from local partners and in accordance with national and international responders to avoid duplication of efforts and prevent logistical bottlenecks, and ensure the most efficient use of resources.
Disease prevention and treatment - to alleviate the disease burden in providers to assess immediate needs, understand the situation, and respond quickly and precisely. direct relief's efforts are always in response to specific requests from local partners and in accordance with national and international responders to avoid duplication of efforts and prevent logistical bottlenecks, and ensure the most efficient use of resources.resource constrained communities around the world, direct relief supports a global network of locally-run health facilities with the medicines, medical supplies, and funding. in the fiscal year 2025, direct relief provided healthcare partners in 60 countries with 34 million courses of medication to treat conditions that include cancer, diabetes, and rare diseases. direct relief also supports programs to advance breast cancer awareness and early detection, cervical cancer screening, as well as comprehensive diabetes prevention and treatment programs that include assistance for children with type 1 diabetes.
Direct relief has an internal policy to transfer all board-designated unrestricted bequests and gifts to the board restricted investment fund (brif) held by direct relief foundation. the purpose of the brif is to provide a reserve for future operations.
Contact & location
- Address
- 6100 Wallace Becknell Rd, Santa Barbara, CA, 93117
- City
- Santa Barbara
- State
- California
- Subcategory
- International Development & Relief
- Phone
- …
- Website
- …
Financial trends
Revenue grew from $1.2B (FY2017) to $2.4B (FY2024) across 8 reported years.
Financial snapshot
Financial health & position (FY2024)
Liabilities $44.0MNet assets $1.2B
Operating margin
3.8%
Revenue exceeded expenses in the latest fiscal year.
Total assets
$1.3B
Total liabilities
$44.0M
Net assets
$1.2B
Salaries & benefits
$24.1M
1% of expenses
Board members
16
16 independent
Financials by year
| Fiscal year | Revenue | Expenses | Net assets | Total assets | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $2,398,998,642▲0.7% | $2,307,002,152▼2.5% | $1,248,271,923▲8.0% | $1,292,290,030▲9.0% | 990 |
| 2023 | $2,383,379,388▲5.1% | $2,365,599,490▲14.2% | $1,155,992,535▲1.7% | $1,186,035,572▲1.3% | 990 |
| 2022 | $2,266,763,483▲2.2% | $2,071,171,227▼8.1% | $1,137,046,411▲21.0% | $1,170,526,870▲22.2% | 990 |
| 2021 | $2,218,136,536▲14.2% | $2,253,265,073▲17.2% | $939,580,753▼3.6% | $958,254,246▼3.5% | 990 |
| 2020 | $1,942,730,187▼2.8% | $1,922,583,429▲23.3% | $974,889,272▲2.4% | $992,717,205▲2.5% | 990 |
| 2019 | $1,999,565,510▲39.4% | $1,559,819,795▲31.3% | $952,209,261▲88.3% | $968,151,460▲83.4% | 990 |
| 2018 | $1,434,057,142▲16.1% | $1,187,834,078▼4.4% | $505,736,080▲94.7% | $527,935,024▲86.4% | 990 |
| 2017 | $1,235,283,489 | $1,242,507,232▲301% | $259,723,786▲19.0% | $283,205,397▲28.1% | 990 |
| 2010 | — | $309,474,303 | $218,240,566 | $221,000,728 | 990 |
Original Form 990 PDFs (the Form column) are served by ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, as filed with the IRS. Create a free account to download the CSV report.
Leadership & compensation (FY2024)
Highest-paid: Thomas Tighe — $1,042,426 (0.05% of total expenses)
| Name | Title | Hours/week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas Tighe | Chief Executive Officer (thru 12/24) | 40 | $1,042,426 |
| Byron Scott - Interim Ceo | (1/25-5/25)/president & Coo | 40 | $483,676 |
| Jonathan Steiner - Senior | Vice President of Finance, Cfo | 40 | $369,470 |
| Heather Bennett | Vice President, Community Engagement | 40 | $315,609 |
| Adan Grouman | Vice President, It | 40 | $277,474 |
| Donald Roane - Vp | Corporation Engagement & Strategy | 40 | $274,954 |
| Brent Reginald Baldwin - Vp | Legal & Regulatory Affairs | 40 | $263,278 |
| Doug Froelich | Vice President, Operations | 40 | $261,256 |
| Adam Cooper | Director | 2 | — |
| Amy Weaver | Chief Executive Officer (as of 5/25) | 40 | — |
| Annalisa Pizzarello | Secretary, Committee Chair | 5 | — |
| Elizabeth Toro Md Mph | Director | 2 | — |
| Emma Carrasco | Committee Chair | 5 | — |
| Harry Mcmahon | Vice Chair, Committee Chair | 5 | — |
| Heitham Hassoun Md | Director | 2 | — |
| Henrietta Holsman Fore | Director | 2 | — |
| James Mcgonigle | Committee Chair | 5 | — |
| Laurie Siegel | Assistant Secretary, Committee Chair | 5 | — |
| Mark Linehan | Chair | 10 | — |
| Mark Schwartz | Assistant Treasurer, Committee Chair | 5 | — |
Top vendors & contractors (FY2024)
| Contractor | Services | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| American Microgrid Solutions LLC | Power For Health Site Assessments | $639,288 |
| Medical Center Dobrobut-clinik LLC | Medical Care Services | $500,000 |
| Irw Concierge Services | Legal Services | $407,536 |
| Pendulum Systems Inc | Pharmaceutical Subscription Services | $380,790 |
| Microsoft | Sap Hosting Services | $293,136 |
Grants received · $201.6M total
519 grants to Direct Relief totaling $201.6M, reported by foundations on their Schedule I filings — showing the 15 most recent.
| Grantmaker | Purpose | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charities Aid Foundation America | Charitable donation | 2024 | $837,974 |
| Paypal Charitable Giving Fund | General support | 2024 | $497,976 |
| Oregon Community Foundation | International affairs | 2024 | $321,317 |
| Greater Houston Community Foundation | Human services | 2024 | $300,000 |
| Gs Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund For Wealth Management Inc | Community & human services | 2024 | $269,500 |
| Raymond James Charitable Endowment Fund | General support | 2024 | $189,350 |
| Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc | Unrestricted general support | 2024 | $140,000 |
| The Blackbaud Giving Fund | General support | 2024 | $131,419 |
| Santa Barbara Foundation | Human services | 2024 | $116,043 |
| Columbus Foundation | Social services | 2024 | $112,282 |
| Greater Washington Community Foundation | General support | 2024 | $102,500 |
| American Endowment Foundation | International | 2024 | $101,524 |
| The Us Charitable Gift Trust | For recipient's exempt purpose | 2024 | $82,500 |
| American Gift Fund | Operations | 2024 | $55,250 |
| T Rowe Price Program For Charitable Giving Inc | Multiple | 2024 | $53,650 |
Grants made · $337.4M in FY2024
1,367 grants totaling $337.4M in FY2024 — showing the 15 largest. All grants made by Direct Relief →
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Welvista | Support to us clinics & health centers for low-income, uninsured patients | $41,102,617 |
| Medassist of Mecklenburg | Support to us clinics & health centers for low-income, uninsured patients | $16,690,834 |
| Society of St Vincent De Paul Charitable Pharmacy of North Texas | Support to us clinics & health centers for low-income, uninsured patients | $10,850,115 |
| Community Health Nfp | Support to us clinics & health centers for low-income, uninsured patients | $5,475,365 |
| Clinica Esperanza Hope Clinic | Support to us clinics & health centers for low-income, uninsured patients | $4,497,221 |
| Agape Clinic | Support to us clinics & health centers for low-income, uninsured patients | $4,426,535 |
| Direct Relief Foundation | Intercompany transfer of funds | $4,335,895 |
| Fredericksburg Area Regional Health Council Inc | Support to us clinics & health centers for low-income, uninsured patients | $3,468,408 |
| Of One Accord Inc | Support to us clinics & health centers for low-income, uninsured patients | $3,326,082 |
| St Vincent De Paul Community Pharmacy of Cincinnati | Support to us clinics & health centers for low-income, uninsured patients | $3,255,635 |
| Volunteers In Medicine Clinic | Support to us clinics & health centers for low-income, uninsured patients | $3,103,457 |
| Pancare of Florida Inc | Support to us clinics & health centers for low-income, uninsured patients | $3,002,866 |
| Nova Scriptscentral Inc | Support to us clinics & health centers for low-income, uninsured patients | $2,106,560 |
| Faith Family Medical Center | Support to us clinics & health centers for low-income, uninsured patients | $1,959,350 |
| Open Door Health Center Inc | Support to us clinics & health centers for low-income, uninsured patients | $1,952,552 |
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Frequently asked questions
- Is Direct Relief a legitimate nonprofit?
- Yes. Direct Relief is a 501(c)(3) organization registered with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service under EIN 95-1831116, based in Santa Barbara, California. Donations are tax-deductible.
- What is Direct Relief's EIN?
- Direct Relief's Employer Identification Number (EIN) is 95-1831116.
- How much revenue does Direct Relief report?
- Direct Relief reported $2,398,998,642 in total revenue on its fiscal year 2024 IRS Form 990 filing.
- How much of Direct Relief's spending goes to programs?
- Direct Relief spends about 99% of its total expenses on programs, based on its latest IRS Form 990.
- What financial grade does Direct Relief have?
- CharityIndex grades Direct Relief A+, based on program efficiency and fundraising cost.
- How much does Direct Relief's highest-paid employee make?
- The highest reported compensation on Direct Relief's latest Form 990 is $1,042,426, paid to Thomas Tighe (Chief Executive Officer (thru 12/24)).
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Data for Direct Relief (EIN 95-1831116) comes from the IRS Business Master File and e-filed Form 990 returns, via CharityIndex. Figures reflect what the organization reported to the IRS for each fiscal year.