Top 10 Non-profits for 2008

Each November, the Non Profit Times releases a special report on the top 100 non-profit organizations by revenue for the previous year. This year, the non-profit industry saw a aggregated total revenue of $59.94 billion, down 6.7% from last years record breaking $64.24 billion. It is easy to say that Wall Street and its radiating hardships had an impact on the non-profit sector, especially due to non-profits raising monies through investments. This year was surprising for some organizations, with a couple top-hitters disappearing entirely from the list and others making leaps and bounds up the revenue ladder. With the economic meltdown and people in financial trouble, who knows how this fiscal year will result for the industry; organizations have already seen a large drop in donations and support as people prepare themselves for a recession. All top ten organizations have over $1 billion in revenue. Here is a list of the top 10 with a short description of their services following:

Non-Profit Organization Total 2007 Revenue

1. YMCA of the USA $6,053,285,000
2. Catholic Charities USA $3,884,724,373
3. The Salvation Army $3,709,839,000
4. Goodwill Industries International $3,168,385,029
5. American Red Cross $3,155,280,471
6. Boys and Girls Club of America $1,501,560,998
7. Habitat for Humanity International $1,426,182,676
8. Easter Seals $1,183,482,000
9. American Cancer Society $1,151,367,000
10. Food for the Poor $1,034,887,370

A Southeast Asia Tsunami victim and his family
in front of their Habitat for Humanity home.

1. YMCA of the USA: The YMCA of the USA is the national resource office for the nation's YMCAs. The YMCA of the USA exists to serve YMCAs. Due to different needs in communities across the nation, all YMCAs are different; the nation currently has 2,686 YMCA locations that respond to critical social needs.

2. Catholic Charities USA: Catholic Charities USA serves people of all faiths, denominations and ethnicity by providing a wide range of services such as: housing, emergency services, health care, childcare, and adoption.

3. The Salvation Army: The Salvation Army helps to meet the needs of individuals and families in crisis with emergency material assistance (food, clothing, etc.). The Salvation Army also provides Thanksgiving and Christmas assistance, Good Neighbor Energy Funds, nursing home and hospital visitation, Bridging The Gap (program for teens at risk) counseling and referrals. Programs include after-school programs for children, tutoring programs, basic computer education, recreational activities, groups for girls and boys, senior citizen clubs, adult day health care, child day care centers, shelter for homeless, feeding programs for homeless and needy families, as well as spiritual programs such as Bible Studies and Sunday worship services.

4. Goodwill Industries International: The Goodwill Industries International is a leading nonprofit provider of education, training, and career services for people with disadvantages. Services include welfare dependency, homelessness, and lack of education or work experience, as well as those with physical, mental and emotional disabilities.

5. American Red Cross: The American Red Cross is the nation's premier emergency response organization. The American Red Cross offers neutral humanitarian care to the victims of war and aid to victims of natural disasters.

6. Boys & Girls Clubs of America: The Boys and Girls Club of America aids communities nationwide with youth programs. Club programs and services promote and enhance the development of boys and girls by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging and influence while providing a safe habitat.

7. Habitat for Humanity International: Habitat for Humanity International is a Christian housing ministry seeking to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world. Habitat invites people of all backgrounds, races and religions to build houses together in partnership with families in need.

8. Easter Seals: Easter Seals Central Pennsylvania provides children and adults with disabilities and special needs services designed to meet their individual needs with a staff of therapists, teachers and health professionals. Easter Seals helps each person overcome obstacles to independence so that they can reach personal goals.

9. American Cancer Society: The American Cancer Society is the nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy, and service.

10. Food for the Poor: Food for the Poor serves the poorest of the poor in 16 countries throughout the Caribbean and Latin America. Food For The Poor is an interdenominational ministry that provides food for the starving, builds small houses, digs water wells, provides medicine and medical equipment, supports orphanages and education for children.

To see the complete list of the Non Profit Times Top 100 non-profit organizations please see the list of links to the left.