Direct Relief donations hit record $1.1 billion
Amid a disaster close to home, the Tri Counties’ largest nonprofit, Direct Relief, was ranked seventh in nation by Forbes, who gave it a score of 100 percent for fundraising efficiency.
In its annual ranking of the 100 largest charities in the U.S., Forbes said the Goleta-based organization also had a 99 percent rating for charitable services as a percent of its total expenses.
In a year when it responded to disasters including Hurricanes Harvey and Maria, as well as the ongoing Thomas Fire and many other incidents, the nonprofit brought in a record of $1.1 billion in donations.
Direct Relief, which does not accept government funding and is supported solely by private contributions, had 63 employees in 2017. It made 13,554 deliveries of medications, vaccines and other medical supplies in fiscal year 2016-17, the company said in a news release Dec. 14.
Also among the top 10 on the list were United Way Worldwide, Feeding America, Salvation Army, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Habitat for Humanity International, YMCA of the USA, Food for the Poor and Americares Foundation. At No. 10, Americares Foundation raised $915 million, and at No. 1, United Way Worldwide raised $2.67 billion.
Direct Relief was also named among 65 nonprofits on Charity Navigator’s Perfect 100 list, earning a perfect score for financial health, accountability and transparency.
• Contact Marissa Nall at mnall@pacbiztimes.com.
