Philanthropy’s past, present, and future are presented together in this year’s Philanthropy 400, the 25th edition of our ranking of charities based on the private support they raise. Brand-name organizations from the 20th and even the 19th centuries still dominate, with 227 groups from our 1991 debut list still firmly entrenched.
Yet the top 10 include for the first time four donor-advised funds, and a battle between Fidelity and United Way for the No. 1 spot ends in a photo finish. International groups have surged over the past 25 years, while private colleges, surprisingly, have slipped a bit.
Are the disruptive forces that have wreaked havoc in corporate America now at work in philanthropy? It’s hard to know. The old order certainly won’t fade away anytime soon; our 25 years of rankings prove that change doesn’t come easy in philanthropy.
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NewsBig Charities Keep Raising More as the Donor-Advised Fund Boom Continues
The United Way remains No. 1 among U.S. nonprofits that raise the most in private support, but Fidelity Charitable is just a sliver behind. -
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Land of the Giants: Big Nonprofits Capture Increasing Share of Charitable Dollar
The Chronicle’s exclusive annual ranking of the organizations that raised the most private support, which turns 25 this year, shows that upstarts have a hard time breaking into the top tier. -
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How 18 Causes Have Fared Through the Years
Donations to charities focused on international issues and donor advised funds have more than tripled over 18 years, while other causes, including social services, have seen more modest increases. -
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America’s Largest Charities Raised 5% More Last Year; Donor-Advised Funds Won Big
United Way remains No. 1 among U.S. nonprofits that raise the most from private sources, but Fidelity Charitable is just a sliver behind. -
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How 4 Organizations Ascended the Philanthropy 400
Innovation, smart branding, and unusual tactics helped Doctors Without Borders USA, Natural Resources Defense Council, Habitat for Humanity International, and Foundation for the Carolinas soar in our rankings over the past 25 years. -
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Mystery Money: the Art of Seeking Gifts From Donor-Advised Funds
Billions of dollars are available, but the lack of a paper trail makes it difficult for nonprofits to target pitches. Here are ways to cut through the fog. -
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An Unsteady Titan Tries to Keep Its Grip
With workplace giving on the wane, some find success with approaches aimed at getting millennials, Hispanics, women, and others excited about philanthropy. -
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How Donor-Advised Fund Holders Think About Gifts
Most have a “good sense” of where they want their donations to go, according to a study that offers a rare glimpse into their thoughts on philanthropy. Plus, how men and women differ in planning and making gifts. -
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How the 2015 Philanthropy 400 Was Compiled
Surveys, tax forms, and other sources are used to produce our exclusive report.
