Nonprofit spending analysis for California: 86% goes to programs, 10% to administration, 4% to fundraising. Based on 500 organizations.
Among 9,992 nonprofits in California, 500 report detailed spending breakdowns. On average, 86% of expenses go directly to charitable programs, 10% to administrative costs, and 4% to fundraising activities.
California nonprofits demonstrate strong program efficiency, with the average organization directing 86% of spending to programs — above the widely-cited 75% benchmark used by charity watchdog organizations.
The 500 organizations collectively manage $769.4B in revenue and $1260.1B in assets, making spending efficiency a critical metric for the charitable sector in California.
| # | Organization | Program % | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Quail Hill Community Association | 70% | $2.9M |
| 2 | Good News Communications Inc | 70% | $3.8M |
| 3 | Sfers Real Estate Corp Ii | 70% | $0 |
| 4 | Valhalla Foundation | 70% | $343.3M |
| 5 | Team San Jose | 70% | $6.8M |
| 6 | Angels For Sight | 70% | $5.3M |
| 7 | Olivet University | 70% | $14.1M |
| 8 | Sfers Real Estate Corp Nn | 70% | $0 |
| 9 | Sfers Real Estate Corp Uu | 70% | $0 |
| 10 | Academy Museum Foundation | 70% | $84.2M |
| 11 | Evergreen Fund | 70% | $7.8M |
| 12 | Youth Uprising | 70% | $2.7M |
| 13 | Humangood Idaho | 70% | $24.5M |
| 14 | Marshall Square Investment Groupinc | 70% | $8.2M |
| 15 | Connected The National Center For College And Career | 70% | $3.8M |
| 16 | Easton Sports Developmentfoundation Ii | 70% | $193.4M |
| 17 | Ayn Rand Institute The Center For The Advancement Of Objectivism | 70% | $38.1M |
| 18 | Israel Emergency Alliance | 75% | $38.3M |
| 19 | Legacy Connections | 75% | $5.7M |
| 20 | Motion Picture Association Inc | 75% | $83.2M |
On average, California nonprofits spend 86% on programs, 10% on administration, and 4% on fundraising. This is based on IRS 990 data from 500 organizations.
Most charity evaluators consider 75% or higher to be a strong program expense ratio. In California, the average is 86%.
The table above ranks California nonprofits by program spending percentage. You can also use our Rankings page to find the most efficient organizations nationally or by state.