Charity Navigator's 2010 Metro Market Study

We've just published our most recent Metro Market Study - a report that compares the median financial performance and size of the largest nonprofits in the 30 largest metropolitan markets represented in our database of 5,500 charities. The 30 Metro Markets are: Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Colorado Springs, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, Milwaukee, Minneapolis/ St. Paul, Nashville, New York City, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Portland, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, St. Louis, Tampa/St. Petersburg, Washington, DC.

By revealing the regional differences in the financial performance of the nation’s largest charities, in the level of support they receive and in the types of charities that exists in the various communities, we believe this report (our 7th) will help donors and nonprofit leaders in understanding how these differences impact that ability of charities to efficiently fulfill their missions year after year. For example, the report shows that

• San Francisco’s charities are growing the fastest,



• New York’s charities pay their CEOs the most,



• Indianapolis’ charities spend the least on programs,



• Cleveland’s charities have the most substantial rainy day funds, and



• Tampa/St. Petersburg’s charities raised the least money.

In terms of their overall financial health, the study’s highest and lowest rated charitable communities are:

Highest Rated
Current Ranking / Previous Ranking
1) Pittsburgh / Miami
2) Houston/San Diego
3) Dallas /Houston
4) San Francisco/Pittsburgh
5) Kansas City /Boston

Lowest Rated
Current Ranking / Previous Ranking
30) Baltimore / Detroit
29) Detroit / Indianapolis
28) Indianapolis / Baltimore
27) Milwaukee / Charlotte
26) Nashville / Portland