Best Healthcare Charities to Donate To (2026)
Published April 6, 2026 · IRS 990 filing data
Healthcare is the largest nonprofit sector in America, with 163 organizations in our database totaling billions in revenue. But efficiency varies widely — some direct 95% of spending to patient care while others lose a third to overhead. Using IRS 990 data, we rank the 115 A-rated healthcare charities that make the most of every dollar.
The healthcare sector averages an Efficiency Score of 81/100 — above the national nonprofit average. 115 organizations earn an A grade (80+ score), reflecting the sector’s generally high program spending ratios.
Top 25 Most Efficient Healthcare Charities
| Rank | Organization | Score | Revenue | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northwestern Memorial Healthcare | 87 | $9.1B | A |
| 2 | Nyu Langone Hospitals | 87 | $8.9B | A |
| 3 | Bon Secours Mercy Health Inc | 87 | $8.7B | A |
| 4 | Mount Sinai Hospital | 87 | $3.9B | A |
| 5 | Norton Hospitals Inc | 87 | $3.0B | A |
| 6 | Corewell Health | 87 | $2.9B | A |
| 7 | University Of Chicago Medical Center | 87 | $2.9B | A |
| 8 | Miltons S Hershey Medical Center | 87 | $2.6B | A |
| 9 | Presbyterian Healthcare Services | 87 | $2.4B | A |
| 10 | Community Health Network Inc | 87 | $2.2B | A |
| 11 | Northeast Georgia Medical Center Inc | 87 | $2.0B | A |
| 12 | Bon Secours Richmond Health System | 87 | $1.9B | A |
| 13 | Mayo Clinic Group Return | 86 | $14.0B | A |
| 14 | Banner Health | 86 | $9.5B | A |
| 15 | Memorial Hermann Health System | 86 | $7.6B | A |
| 16 | Stanford Health Care 227 | 86 | $7.0B | A |
| 17 | Inova Health Care Services | 86 | $5.7B | A |
| 18 | Fairview Health Services | 86 | $4.7B | A |
| 19 | Duke University Health System Inc | 86 | $4.7B | A |
| 20 | Mercy Health | 86 | $4.6B | A |
| 21 | Multicare Health System | 86 | $4.5B | A |
| 22 | Baptist Healthcare System Inc | 86 | $3.7B | A |
| 23 | Osf Healthcare System | 86 | $3.4B | A |
| 24 | Peacehealth | 86 | $3.3B | A |
| 25 | Trinity Health Michigan | 86 | $3.0B | A |
See the full list of 163 healthcare nonprofits on our healthcare efficiency ranking page.
What Makes a Healthcare Charity Efficient?
The most efficient healthcare nonprofits share several traits:
- High program spending (85%+): The bulk of revenue goes directly to patient care, clinical services, or health programs.
- Proportionate executive pay: CEO compensation is reasonable relative to organizational revenue. A $2M salary at a $10B hospital system is very different from the same salary at a $50M charity.
- Consistent revenue growth: Healthy organizations show stable or growing revenue over 3-5 years, indicating sustained donor and patient confidence.
- Reasonable reserves: 3-12 months of operating reserves indicates financial stability without hoarding.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most efficient healthcare charities?
The most efficient healthcare charities direct 85% or more of their expenses to programs — providing direct patient care, medical research, or public health services. Our Efficiency Score ranks healthcare nonprofits using IRS 990 data on program spending, revenue growth, reserves, and executive compensation.
How much do healthcare nonprofit CEOs earn?
Healthcare nonprofit CEO compensation varies enormously. Hospital system CEOs often earn $1M+ due to the scale of operations (billions in revenue). Smaller healthcare charities typically pay $100K-$500K. Our Efficiency Score contextualizes pay relative to organizational revenue.
Should I donate to a hospital system or a smaller health charity?
Both serve important roles. Large hospital systems provide direct patient care at massive scale but may have higher overhead. Smaller health charities often focus on specific conditions, underserved populations, or community health initiatives. Check the program spending ratio for any organization you are considering.
About This Data
All data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer API. See our methodology.