United Way Worldwide, the Salvation Army, and St. Jude Children’s Hospital topped the Chronicle’s annual ranking of the 100 nonprofits that raise the most in cash and stock contributions from individuals, foundations, and corporations.
In a year beset with a public-health emergency, basic-needs groups did very well. Overall, though, giving to big charities grew modestly in 2020 — just 2.7 percent when adjusted for inflation. The wealthiest donors drove giving last year. Their very large gifts helped stave off the worst effects of the economic downturn.
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America's Favorite CharitiesGiving to Top Charities Rose Nearly 3.7% in 2020, Driven by Big Gifts From the Wealthy
In a year beset with a public-health emergency, social unrest, natural disasters, and political upheaval, United Way Worldwide, the Salvation Army, and St. Jude Children’s Hospital won more donations than any other nonprofits. See our full report on America’s Favorite Charities. -
DATA
America’s Favorite Charities 2021
This interactive table features the Chronicle of Philanthropy’s annual rankings of charities. We base the primary ranking on cash support received by cause-driven nonprofits (which does not include gifts to donor-advised funds) in 2020. See our methodology, and read related stories. -
Data
How the Chronicle Conducted Its America’s Favorite Charities Survey
Our survey of the nonprofits that raise the most in gifts of cash and stock used data compiled from Internal Revenue Service Form 990 filings, surveys sent to tax-exempt organizations, and other sources. -
Major Gifts
3 of America’s Favorite Charities Received Gifts From MacKenzie Scott
Over the past two years, few donors have gotten as much attention as MacKenzie Scott, the novelist and former wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. -
Giving Data
Donations to Small Nonprofits Hit Harder by Covid Than Gifts to Larger Ones, Study Shows
Four in 10 nonprofits with annual budgets of less than $500,000 saw a decrease in donations in 2020 compared with 29 percent of larger ones. -
Giving USA
Giving Grew in a Tumultuous Year but Not for All. What’s Ahead in 2021?
Individual giving made up 69 percent of all philanthropy last year, the smallest share “Giving USA” has ever recorded.
