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Richest Nonprofits In The World

Richest Nonprofits In The World

10 of 11

ThinkStockPhotos
ThinkStockPhotos

When you think of nonprofit organizations, you don’t normally picture people bathing in bathtubs of $100 bills. And it’s true, nonprofit professionals don’t make holiday bonuses that are equivalent to a tasteful yacht. Petty cash isn’t used for wooing clients at Le Cirque (Some CEOs of large nonprofits do take home a hefty salary, but that’s a conversation for another time). But in order to do the work that has become so essential, they do need to rake in massive amounts of revenue to keep programs alive, whether it be through government support, foundation grants, or individual donations. The 2012 Nonprofit Times’ Top 100 ranks top revenue-raising charities in the world, excluding endowments of universities, hospitals, and private foundations. Sorry Bill Gates, this one’s not for you.

SIArchives.SI.edu
SIArchives.SI.edu

10. Smithsonian Institution – $1,240,978,409

With 19 museums and galleries, nine research facilities, and the National Zoo Park, the Smithsonian Institution is the largest museum research complex, and has the budget to match. Located in Washington, D.C. and New York City (not taking into account its 177 affiliate museums), it is dedicated to “the increase and diffusion of knowledge.” Most impressively, it’s free for visitors, meaning it must have some very generous donors to come up with that kind of cash each year.

SpecialNeeds08.Blogspot.com
SpecialNeeds08.Blogspot.com

9. Easter Seals – $1,402,531,662

No, it’s not an organization dedicated to celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ while saving elephant seals across the globe, although it’s only a matter of time before we have one of those as well. Easter Seals is actually committed to helping special needs and disabled individuals, along with their families, with a special focus on autism. It has sites in the U.S., Australia, and Canada that offer medical rehabilitation, job training and placement, and recreational activities, among a host of others.

ChrisDraftFamilyFoundation.org
ChrisDraftFamilyFoundation.org

8. Boys & Girls Clubs of America – $1,458,282,307

The Boys & Girls Clubs of America offer after-school programs for kids of all ages with everything from tutoring and sports leagues to simply a safe place for kids to hang out until their parents get off work. They are committed to decreasing the high school drop-out rate, and “to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.”

RichmondHabitat.org
RichmondHabitat.org

7. Habitat for Humanity International – $1,490,610,954

One of the foremost housing organizations in the world, Habitat for Humanity builds affordable homes in more than 100 countries across the globe. It’s model is especially unique – untrained volunteers help complete approximately 90 percent of the basic construction on homes, and families that are chosen to receive a Habitat home must make a down payment of around 400 hours of sweat equity – time spent helping onsite. Don’t worry, they bring in the experts for the complicated stuff!

ReachYouthMissions.com
ReachYouthMissions.com

6. The Salvation Army – $3,203,811,000

More than just a thrift shop for wannabe Brooklynites to shop at, the Salvation Army offers a multitude of essential programs around the world, including housing and homelessness services, substance abuse rehabilitation, disaster relief, recreational opportunities, elderly care, and much, much more. It’s heavily based on Methodist Christian principles, and calls all of its members and staff “Salvationists.”

 

RedCrossChat.org
RedCrossChat.org

5. American Red Cross – $3,452,960,387

When there’s any kind of major natural disaster, most look to the American Red Cross to lead the way. Although it also provides health and safety services (like CPR certifications and lifeguard training) as well as international development and education, its primary focus remains responding to disasters – everything from a solitary home fire to an earthquake that impacts millions. Its revenue may be dependent on the number of hurricanes and tsunamis that strike in a given year, but it nearly always makes the top 10 list.

UnitedWayOKC.org
UnitedWayOKC.org

4. United Way – $4,139,536,549

Given its broad reach, it’s no wonder that United Way usually finds its way into the Top 5 each year. As a support and leadership organization, it usually allocates resources within communities to existing organizations that “advance the common good.” It’s focus areas are primarily in education, health, and income (or financial stability), and it has set up nearly 2,000 United Way chapters in over 45 countries.

ClinicLegal.org
ClinicLegal.org

3. Catholic Charities – $4,422,814,987

The Catholic Charities name comes more from its roots in the Catholic Church than its commitment to solely religious causes. Focused on alleviating poverty in the U.S., Catholic Charities offers a variety of human services programs such as housing counseling, adoption services and family strengthening programs, as well as disaster preparedness and recovery programs and policy advocacy for governmental poverty reduction services.

Rockys.com
Rockys.com

2. Goodwill Industries International – $4,436,965,145

Again, it’s more than just hip hop artist Macklemore’s shopping locale of choice. Goodwill Industries is a behemoth of an organization with more than 165 chapters across the U.S. and Canada. It offers employment training and placement services (which also include English and GED classes), along with a variety of youth and family programs. Its unique model of donation-based stores allows some of its program participants to gain key job experience, while providing the revenue to allow its other programs to thrive (although admittedly the bulk of the $4.5 billion probably doesn’t come from the $5 trousers you picked up last week).

Blog.CTNews.com
Blog.CTNews.com

1. YMCA of the USA – $5,986,057,000

Finally, the YMCA of the USA reigns as nonprofit supreme with its nearly $6 billion budget. And just what does that money do? With a presence in more that 10,000 neighborhoods across the country, the Y offers youth development programs for kids and teens, healthy living initiatives (including affordable exercise facilities, something that is almost impossible to find nowadays), food programs, social services, and grassroots advocacy around the issues it cares about. Also, it’s the only organization on this list that has its own theme song, courtesy of the Village People.