‘Round the Square: The nation’s top charities
CHARITIES: Americans increased their charitable giving by an estimated 6.3% last year, marking the first time in several years that donations kept pace with inflation.
With giving momentum returning, continued support remains essential for nonprofits. In response to these trends, SmileHub released its annual report identifying the Best Charities for 2026.
SmileHub evaluated nearly 300,000 organizations using its proprietary SmileHub Rating, which measures financial health, management overhead, fundraising efficiency, program efficiency and transparency. The report highlights the top 20 national charities, led by Optica, the Aga Khan Foundation and the Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust. Other organizations in the top tier include Nationwide Children’s Hospital, the United States Olympic and Paralympic Endowment, Volunteers of America National Services, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Friends of the Children.
The report also identifies top‑rated charities across 16 categories. Among them: Friends of the Zoo of Kansas City Foundation, animals; Maxwell C. King Center for the Performing Arts, arts;
Misericordia Foundation, children; Housing Catalyst, community support; Wesley Chapel Volunteer Fire Department, disaster relief; Guidestream Charitable Gift Fund, economic development; Cincinnati Museums Foundation, education;
Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail, environmental protection; First Presbyterian Church of Dallas Foundation, faith and religious support; Abington Memorial Hospital Foundation, health and wellness;
Sacramento Steps Forward, homeless support; Interweave Solutions, international support; Community Housing Improvement Program, reducing poverty;
Kacyra Family Foundation, research; Follow Your Dream Foundation, rights and activism; TaxSlayer Gator Bowl, sports and recreation; and the Louisiana National Guard Foundation, veterans.
