The NPT 2013 Top 100: Who's #1?

For the 25th time in the history of The NonProfit Times, we have unveiled the NPT Top 100. And for the sixth year in a row, the YMCA of the USA came in at number one in our study of the top grossing nonprofits.

Released in our November 1 issue each year since 1988, the NPT Top 100 ranks organizations by total revenue (with at least 10 percent coming in the form of public support). The Y took the top spot again this year thanks to a strong combination of program revenue ($4.556 billion), public support ($827 million), and government support ($614 million). Overall, The Y's total revenue in 2012 was $6.239 billion.

Coming in at a distant second was Goodwill Industries International, which had a total revenue of $4.894 billion. Much of those funds came in the form of program service revenue ($3.404 billion).

Other organizations that made the top five this year were:

• United Way ($4.260 billion);
• Catholic Charities USA ($4.227 billion); and,
• The Salvation Army ($3.353 billion).

You can view the full report on our website, in addition to an exclusive interview with Dan Romano of Grant Thornton, who broke down the NPT 2013 Top 100. 

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Not to be forgotten amidst this news is the rest of the content of the November 1 issue. Included in this month's edition of The NonProfit Times are stories about ObamaCare guidelines for nonprofits, the story of a group trying to use neuroscience to reframe human services, and an opinion piece from our Editor-in-Chief about what shape organizations are going to take in the future.

Wanted: Participants For The 2014 Best Nonprofits To Work For Report

The Tote Bag Design.

UPDATE: This is the last day to nominate your nonprofit! Don't miss your chance to get your organization listed in the report. As a bonus, all those who complete the registration process will receive a tote bag with the design shown to the left and, in addition, will be entered for a chance to win a $100 AmEx Gift Card. We will be choosing our lucky winners tomorrow.

Do you think your nonprofit is the best for which to work? Now is your chance to prove it by nominating your organization for The NonProfit Times' 2014 Best Nonprofits To Work For Report.

NPT, along with the Best Companies Group, releases a report of the 50 best nonprofits to work for in the United States every year. Last year's study was highlighted by the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), a Jacksonville, Fl.-based organization that helps veterans who were injured in combat. This was the third year in a row that WWP won the top honors; will it win again in 2014, or will a new organization take the crown?

Other top organizations included the American Heart Association, the Natural Resources Defense Council, and the Alzheimer's Association.

Now is your chance to see if WWP will reign again, or if another nonprofit will dethrone it. Simply go to the Best Companies Group website and register to participate. There is no cost to complete the survey online, so all we require is your time. All applications must be submitted by October 31.

Those who complete their registration will also be entered for a chance to win a $100 American Express gift card!

Once registered, participants will receive the following information in their e-mail:

• The Employer Benefits & Policies Questionnaire;
• The Employee Engagement & Satisfaction Survey;
• Survey distribution instructions; and,
• Other supporting materials and instructions.

As an added benefit to completing the survey, all participants will have the opportunity to purchase the Employee Feedback Report, which details the results of their specific survey. These would normally cost thousands of dollars if initiated independently.

Register today to make sure your nonprofit is represented in the 2014 study!

5 Donor Problems For Nonprofits

Nonprofits exist to solve problems. Yet as many nonprofit managers will attest, they are much happier solving problems that exist outside the organization. One thing is for sure: Any organization that has problems with its donors has problems.

Wayne Elsey, founder and CEO of Soles4Souls, wrote in his book "Almost Isn't Good Enough" that there are at least five issues that nonprofits encounter from donors. Solving these problems, Elsey wrote, can help an organization increase its footprint and success.

The five problems are:

• “I can’t find you online.” Update the Website every 30 days (or 10). Hire or contract with someone who knows digital Web design. “If I can’t find you on Google, then you don’t exist.”
• “I don’t understand what you do.” A good rule of thumb is if you can’t recite the mission of your organization, then you have no hope of spreading the message and funding your work.
• “It’s difficult to get more information.” Donors want to know something about the organization before they are asked their vital statistics, including address.
• “It’s impossible for me to get involved beyond giving money.” Leaders should be asking how they can get more people involved so they can see the pain in the lives of those in need.
• “I never hear from you except when you want me to give.” A relationship based on one party asking and the other giving isn’t much of a relationship.