Charity Organizations Serving Children
• American Human Services
• American Education
• American Health
• International
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• American Human Services Charities
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The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children*
The Center is the brainchild of John Walsh, host of the television program America's Most Wanted, whose son Adam was abducted and murdered at age 6. Founded nearly 20 years ago, the Center created the first nationwide missing-children emergency-response system by coordinating the efforts of law enforcement agencies, legislators, educators, and the public.
83% Proceeds used directly for program,
4% fund-raising,
3% administration.
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Big Brothers Big Sisters of America*
The quintessential mentoring program, founded in 1904, was built on the philosophy that a one-on-one relationship is a very effective way to help transform a child's life. Kids in the program are less likely to use drugs, skip school, or behave violently: 58 percent got better grades, and 64 percent developed more self-confidence.
69% Proceeds used directly for program,
4% fund-raising,
4% administration.
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Boys & Girl Clubs of America*
It's amazing: 50 percent of Boys and Girls Clubs alumni say the organization saved their lives and 80 percent say it was where they learned right from wrong. It keeps 3.3 million kids busy with worthwhile activities, emphasizing character, leadership, fitness, and career preparation.
59% Proceeds used directly for program,
3% fund-raising,
7% administration.
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Center for Youth As Resources*
Through the Center, which was started by the National Crime Prevention Council, kids raise money and make grants to other kids who've submitted proposals for volunteer projects that address community needs. Projects have included helping foster kids find permanent homes, growing vegetables for soup kitchens, and forming security patrols to escort small children to school.
75% Proceeds used directly for program,
0% fund-raising,
25% administration.
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Children's Defense Fund*
Under the leadership of president and founder Marian Wright Edelman, the Children's Defense Fund is a force that legislators ignore at their peril. It was the original advocate of the Act to Leave No Child Behind—pending legislation that strives to provide health insurance to all kids; expand Head Start; increase family-leave time; boost the minimum wage; increase tax benefits for families, particularly those with low incomes; and prevent youthful offenders from being locked up with adults.
50% Proceeds used directly for program,
5% fund-raising,
9% administration.
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Child Welfare League of America*
The League guides 1,165 member agencies devoted to improving the lives of at-risk kids through abuse prevention, youth development, child care, adoption and foster care programs, and programs for pregnant and parenting teens. It writes national standards for the agencies and helps them deliver their services more efficiently.
88% Proceeds used directly for program,
2% fund-raising,
3% administration.
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Communities In Schools*
CIS brings critical children's resources such as health clinics, mentoring programs, rape counseling, and vocational training to where the kids are—school. It has come to 2,300 schools nationwide, reaching 1.4 million schoolchildren, and, in the process, freeing teachers to teach.
89% Proceeds used directly for program,
5% fund-raising,
13% administration.
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Family Violence Prevention Fund*
Thirty-one percent of American women say they've been physically or sexually abused by a partner. The Family Violence Prevention Fund is trying to stop the horror and make life better for victims. It provides translators for non-English-speaking victims, advises judges, educates health care professionals, and counsels employers of abused workers.
75% Proceeds used directly for program,
2% fund-raising,
2% administration.
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National Coalition Against Domestic Violence*
The NCADV is a network of 2,000 local programs and state coalitions serving battered women and their children. It partners with Motorola and the Wireless Foundation to provide reconditioned cell phones for women to use in a crisis. With cosmetic surgeons and cosmetic dentists, it restores victims' faces, smiles, and spirits.
79% Proceeds used directly for program,
9% fund-raising,
12% administration.
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Prevent Child Abuse America*
Formerly the National Committee to Prevent Child Abuse, this group has worked since 1972 to prevent the 1 million cases of abuse and neglect that are reported each year, and the resulting three deaths per day. Its Healthy Families America program offering in-home support for new parents has resulted in increased immunization for childhood diseases and well-baby checkups.
57% Proceeds used directly for program,
17% fund-raising,
7% administration.
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Special Olympics*
Its well-known games have moved people with disabilities from the sidelines to the playing field. In doing so, Special Olympics has changed not just the way we view the disabled but the way they see themselves. More than a million mentally and often physically handicapped kids and adults receive year-round training and compete in 26 sports in the United States and 150 other countries.
61% Proceeds used directly for program,
17% fund-raising,
8% administration.
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• American Education Charities
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The Children's Scholarship Fund*
CSF gives low-income children four-year partial scholarships to private school. Started in 1998 by John Walton (Sam's son) and Ted Forstmann, the fund has provided an average of $1,049 a year to 40,000 kids, chosen at random from 1.25 million applicants. In the next three years, 14,000 more will benefit. CSF recently won a grant allowing it to match gifts and extend scholarships beyond four years, from kindergarten through eighth grade.
97% Proceeds used directly for program,
.04% fund-raising,
1% administration.
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Parents As Teachers National Center*
Through 2,600 local Parents as Teachers programs, parent-educators help new and expectant parents understand their children's development. PAT provides ongoing education and support, with visits, meetings, links to local resources, and health and developmental tests for kids. Parents in PAT are less likely to be abusive, and kids gain better motor and social skills.
65% Proceeds used directly for program,
1% fund-raising,
11% administration.
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Zero To Three*
Zero to Three brings attention to the critical first years of a child's development, helping parents understand what to expect from babies and toddlers. (If you know 2-year-olds can't sit still, you're less likely to be frustrated when they don't.) It translates science into educational materials for parents, child care professionals, pediatricians, and policy makers.
78% Proceeds used directly for program,
3% fund-raising,
.2% administration.
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• American Health Charities
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Easter Seals*
More than a million disabled kids and adults turn to Easter Seals' 450 centers for recreation, child care, job training, and medical rehabilitation. The group also lobbies for legislation to help people with disabilities achieve greater independence. It provides training in caring for people with special needs.
75% Proceeds used directly for program,
22% fund-raising,
4% administration.
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Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric Aids Foundation*
Worldwide, 1,600 children are infected with HIV every day. The foundation primarily funds research for AIDS prevention and treatment, and focuses on the effects of AIDS drugs on kids. Its Call to Action project works with pregnant women in developing countries to prevent transmission of HIV to their unborn children.
66% Proceeds used directly for program,
9% fund-raising,
5% administration.
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March of Dimes*
The March of Dimes helped reduce the incidence of neural-tube defects such as spina bifida and anencephaly by an impressive 19 percent from 1996 to 1999. This success is due in part to a March of Dimes campaign, begun in 1995, to educate at-risk women about the importance of taking folic acid before and during pregnancy.
74% Proceeds used directly for program,
16% fund-raising,
8% administration.
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Ronald McDonald House Charities*
When illness strikes a child, it strikes a family. The Ronald McDonald House Charities maintains 211 houses around the world where families can stay together for free when traveling for a sick child's treatment, and 48 rooms within hospitals for the same purpose. It creates and funds children's health programs. McDonald's Corporation pays for the charity's administrative costs.
81% Proceeds used directly for program,
6% fund-raising,
0% administration.
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SIDS Alliance*
Sudden infant death syndrome fatalities have dropped 50 percent since 1994, when the SIDS Alliance began its "Back to Sleep" campaign to teach parents to lay babies on their backs instead of on their stomachs, as had previously been advised. The group now warns of hazards such as soft crib bedding, overheated nurseries, and cigarette smoke.
83% Proceeds used directly for program,
3% fund-raising,
5% administration.
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• International Charities
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War Child
War Child is an International Relief and Development Agency, dedicated to providing immediate, effective and sustainable aid to children affected by war in order to build peace, resolve conflict and empower future generations.
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* Information obtained from
Worth.com's 'America's 100 Best Charities', By Reshma Memon Yaqub December 2001, Worth Magazine
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