Direct Relief ranked No. 5 largest U.S. charity
The need for Direct Relief’s assistance is not going away and, though the nonprofit wishes for brighter days across the world, the Santa Barbara-based nonprofit is also not shying away from continuing to lend a helping hand.
That is why the nonprofit ranked as the fifth largest charity in the United States and one of the most effective stewards of private donations, according to Forbes’ 2024 annual list of the 100 Top U.S. Charities, which ranks organizations by private donations.
According to the report, in fiscal year 2024, which ended on June 30, Direct Relief mobilized more than $2.4 billion in humanitarian aid, which is up from a previous record of $2.26 billion in humanitarian aid contributed in fiscal year 2023.
According to Direct Relief, the $2.4 billion doled out included $770 million in medical aid for victims of natural disasters, war, and civil conflicts in locations such as North Carolina, Maui, Ukraine, the Middle East, Haiti, and Sudan.
“Direct Relief’s increased activity reflected in the Forbes ranking is a reflection of the organization’s efforts to address the expanded need that exist in the world,” Direct Relief CEO Thomas Tighe told the Business Times via email.
“International conflicts, combined with natural disasters that are increasing in frequency, intensity, and duration only compound the chronic challenges that many people already confront every day.”
Tighe said he wished the needs for Direct Relief were “shrinking, not growing.
“But, I am pleased that the investments in people, systems, and technology have enabled the organization to extend more help to more people when they need it,” he said.
According to the nonprofit, Direct Relief funded entirely by private charitable contributions and does not accept government support, prioritizes operational efficiency through strategic partnerships with businesses and organizations.
Moreover, the vast majority of donations it receives and distributes consist of in-kind donations of medicine and medical supplies.
This includes distributing over 380 million defined daily doses of medicine to more than 2,300 healthcare facilities across 90 countries and all 50 U.S. states.
Moreover, Direct Relief provided $299 million in medical aid to regions including Gaza, Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen, which included nearly 150 tons of medical supplies, valued at more than $32 million and $322 million in medical aid to Ukraine in 2024, bringing the total since 2022 to 2,600 tons, valued at $1.4 billion.
These contributions, valued at their wholesale cost, comprise the predominant share of the organization’s annual revenue.
In addition to being the fifth-largest charity in the U.S. according to Forbes, Direct Relief was the largest California nonprofit on the top 100 list.
Forbes also awarded Direct Relief a perfect score of 100% for charitable commitment, reflecting the proportion of expenses allocated directly to its charitable mission, and 100% for fundraising efficiency, highlighting the organization’s minimal fundraising costs relative to private donations.
“The objective measures (of being on the Forbes list) are helpful of course to assess such things such as how much of supporters’ money is being used for the work itself as opposed to just seeking more support,” Tighe said.
“But, those measures of Direct Relief or any other organization just can’t fully capture other essential things of value, such as being respectful, responsive, and supportive of people in crises on a human level as well as to the people who make personal acts of generosity every day when they participate in Direct Relief. Those things are very hard to measure, but they are what give the work special meaning.”
Tighe announced earlier this year that he would be stepping down as CEO of Direct Relief after 24 years in the role.
During Tighe’s tenure, Direct Relief has provided over $16 billion in essential medicines, equipment, and supplies and more than $350 million in grants to health organizations in 136 countries and all U.S. states and territories, according to a press release.
On Nov. 21, 2023, the global nonprofit announced it had donated and delivered more than $2 billion in medicine and medical supplies since 2008 to address chronic gaps in the U.S. healthcare system.
This also includes over $25 million given to over 90 healthcare and non-profit organizations based on the Central Coast.
Tighe also sat down with Business Times Founder, Owner and Editor Henry Dubroff in November 2024 for a podcast episode of Civil Dialogues.
That podcast can be found at pacbiztimes.com/civil-dialogs-podcast/.
email: [email protected]
