Save the Children Again Named to Forbes' 2025 List of America's Top Charities
Save the Children has been recognized on Forbes’ 2025 list of America’s Top 100 Charities, ranking No. 43 nationwide. The recognition highlights our organization’s scale, impact and long-standing commitment to accountability and effective stewardship of donor support at a time when global humanitarian needs are increasing.
With more than 1.5 million charitable organizations operating across the United States, inclusion on the Forbes list places Save the Children among a select group of nonprofits evaluated for fundraising strength, efficiency and financial transparency.
How Forbes Ranks America’s Top Charities
Forbes’ annual ranking—now in its 27th year—is designed as a resource for individual donors and is based primarily on private charitable contributions reported in each organization’s most recent fiscal year.
In fiscal year 2024, Save the Children received $470 million in private donations, reflecting the trust and generosity of hundreds of thousands of supporters nationwide.
"This recognition ultimately reflects the trust of our donors—families, individuals, and partners—who believe every child deserves a healthy start, the opportunity to learn, and protection from harm, even in the world's most difficult places. Despite challenges such as foreign aid cuts, we remain focused on solutions that strengthen our resilience and deeply appreciate the long-standing support of our donor community. Our commitment to children in the U.S and around the globe remains unwavering, as it has for more than 100 years."
- Clare Rodger, Chief Marketing and Growth Officer at Save the Children US
Accountability, Efficiency and Impact
The Forbes Top 100 Charities list evaluates organizations on more than fundraising totals alone. Metrics such as fundraising efficiency, charitable commitment and financial transparency all play a key role in the rankings. Save the Children has consistently earned high marks from independent charity evaluators for our strong governance, responsible financial management and focus on turning donor support into measurable outcomes for children.
Founded in the United States in 1932 during the Great Depression, Save the Children has grown from our early work supporting vulnerable children in rural Appalachia into a global organization operating in more than 100 countries. Today, the majority of our work focuses on helping children survive, learn and stay safe in crisis-affected and high-need communities around the world.
Meeting Urgent Needs—And Staying for the Long Term
In recent years, Save the Children has been on the front lines of some of the world’s most complex humanitarian emergencies, including conflicts and crises in places such as Sudan, Gaza and Ukraine. We provide lifesaving assistance—including food, clean water, healthcare, education support and child protection services—during the critical early stages of emergencies, while also investing in long-term recovery and resilience.
Navigating a Changing Funding Landscape
Forbes notes that the 2025 rankings do not yet fully reflect the impact of recent reductions in U.S. government funding for international humanitarian aid. Save the Children, like several other global relief organizations, has historically partnered closely with the U.S. government to deliver large-scale assistance. In fiscal year 2024, government funding accounted for $497 million of Save the Children’s revenue—slightly more than half of its total funding.
As government support has declined, Save the Children has accelerated efforts to diversify its funding base, increase private-sector partnerships and engage individual donors more deeply. In 2024, more than 337,000 individual supporters—often described as “mom and pop” donors—contributed a combined $87 million, demonstrating the critical role everyday generosity plays in sustaining the organization’s work.
Save the Children is also expanding advocacy efforts through our sister organization, Save the Children Action Network, to elevate the needs of children in policy discussions and promote long-term solutions that address the root causes of poverty, hunger and displacement.
A Call to Support Children When It Matters Most
Despite economic uncertainty, Forbes reports that private donations across the Top 100 Charities rose 4.4% in 2025, outpacing inflation and signaling continued generosity among donors. For organizations like Save the Children, that support is more vital than ever as humanitarian needs grow and public funding becomes less predictable.
At a Glance: Save the Children Is Among America's Top 100 Charities
- Forbes Top Charity: Ranked No. 43 on Forbes’ 2025 America’s Top 100 Charities list, based on private charitable contributions.
- Private Donor Support: $470 million raised from private donations in fiscal year 2024, including support from more than 337,000 individual donors.
- Global Reach: Part of a global network operating in 100+ countries, delivering life-saving and long-term support for children affected by conflict, disaster and poverty.
- Trusted Stewardship: Slightly more than 50% of total funding historically supported by government partnerships, underscoring the growing importance of private giving to sustain programs for children worldwide.
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Our Forbes' Top 100 Charities rating reflects our unwavering commitment to children — and to the supporters who make our work possible. If you’d like to help create lasting change for children, you can make a secure, 100% tax-deductible gift today.