How Nonprofits Spend Money in Massachusetts

Nonprofit spending analysis for Massachusetts: 80% goes to programs, 13% to administration, 6% to fundraising. Based on 984 organizations.

9,993Total Nonprofits
984Report Spending
80%Avg Programs
13%Avg Admin
6%Avg Fundraising
$289.3BTotal Revenue
80% Programs
13% Admin
6% Fund

Spending Analysis

Among 9,993 nonprofits in Massachusetts, 984 report detailed spending breakdowns. On average, 80% of expenses go directly to charitable programs, 13% to administrative costs, and 6% to fundraising activities.

Massachusetts nonprofits demonstrate strong program efficiency, with the average organization directing 80% of spending to programs — above the widely-cited 75% benchmark used by charity watchdog organizations.

The 984 organizations collectively manage $289.3B in revenue and $602.4B in assets, making spending efficiency a critical metric for the charitable sector in Massachusetts.

Most Efficient Nonprofits in Massachusetts

#OrganizationProgram %RevenueScore
1Friends Of Asha Usa Inc100%$314K98/100
2Yawkey Foundation100%$26.4M95/100
3Iso New England Retiree Medical Dental And Life Tr100%$6.3M95/100
4The Johnson & Johnson Voluntary Employee Benefit Trust99%$1.1B95/100
5Foundation For Innovation And Life Inc99%$524K98/100
6Masshire Hampden County Workforce Board Inc99%$14.2M75/100
7Massachusetts Mutual Agents Health Benefit Trust99%$78.6M75/100
8Vivian & Paul Olum Charitable Foundation99%$1.4M85/100
9Saul & Gitta Kurlat Charitable Foundation99%$223K65/100
10Clinton H & Wilma T Shattuck Charitable Trust99%$544K85/100
11James M & Melinda A Rabb Charitable Trust99%$455K85/100
12General Hospital Long Term Disability Trust98%$15.0M85/100
13Webster Housing For The Elderly Inc97%$972K85/100
14Educational Development Group Inc96%$273K75/100
15Stifler Family Foundation95%$10.6M92/100
16French Bulldog Rescue Network A Nonprofit Corporation95%$453K95/100
17Advisors Charitable Gift Fund Inc95%$6.3M85/100
18Cele H & William B Rubin Family Fund Inc95%$18.8M90/100
19Reba Judith Sandler Foundation Inc95%$4.1M95/100
20William P Goldman & Brothers Foundation Inc95%$2.3M90/100
21Herman And Frieda L Miller Foundation95%$10.8M90/100
22Newburyport Five Cents Savings Charitable Foundation Inc95%$1.0M90/100
23Nage Seiu Local 5000 Trial Court Of Mass Health And Welfare Fund95%$2.7M90/100
24Amy Smith And John G Berylson Charitable Foundation95%$4.3M90/100
25Ronald G Casty Family Foundation95%$317K90/100
26Stephanie H And David A Spina Family Foundation95%$68K85/100
27Cail Family Foundation95%$797K95/100
28Mosakowski Family Charitable Foundation95%$60.3M90/100
29Rockland Trust Charitable Foundation95%$16.3M92/100
30Richard Schwartz Family Foundation Inc95%$1.9M90/100
31Island Housing Trust Corporation95%$11.3M95/100
32Tremblay Family Foundation95%$2.4M90/100
33Charles F De Ganahl Family Foundation95%$2.6M85/100
34Michele & David Mittelman Charitable Foundation95%$8.0M90/100
35The Madigan Family Foundation Inc95%$2.2M98/100
36Josephine And Louise Cranefoundation95%$20.5M95/100
37Polly Thayer Starr Charitable Tr95%$2.4M85/100
38Sumner M Redstone Charitable Foundation95%$14.5M65/100
39Arthur M And Martha R Pappas Foundation95%$4.0M85/100
40Teamsters Local Union No 25 Legal Plan95%$1.4M75/100
41Kendal C And Anna Ham Charitable Foundation95%$1.2M85/100
42Robert Ahern Scholarship Trust94%$458K85/100
43Southcoast Hospitals Group Inc92%$1.3B85/100
44Groton Affordable Housing Inc92%$678K75/100
45Marthas Vineyard Community Television Inc90%$877K95/100
46Maine Yankee Atomic Power Co Emp Welfare Benefit Pl & Tr Veba90%$11.5M85/100
47North American Marine Alliance Inc90%$2.7M95/100
48Sharing Foundation90%$1.2M95/100
49New England Preparatory School Athletic Council90%$632K92/100
50Braintree Community Access And Media Inc90%$737K95/100

Least Efficient Nonprofits in Massachusetts

#OrganizationProgram %Revenue
1Covenant Commonwealth Corporation1%$3.2M
2Elevator Constructors Building Association Inc1%$421K
3Neponset Community Services Inc3%$578K
4Hoyt Foundation Inc5%$923K
5Massachusetts Association Of Health Plans Inc10%$4.0M
6Quadraplex Housing Inc10%$380K
7Chelsea Yacht Club20%$375K
8Allen Park Tenants Association Inc25%$2.5M
9Tufts College Alumni Association Inc30%$345K
10Saint Francis Community Health Care Inc40%$1.7M
11Mental Health Programs Inc V40%$240K
12Wang Foundation45%$642K
13New England Ophthalmological Society Inc 85 Central St47%$1.1M
14Burlington Area Chamber Of Commerce Inc50%$250K
15Snowmobile Association Of Massachusetts Inc50%$224K
16Creative Haverhill Inc50%$232K
17The Jewish Cemetery Association Of Massachusetts Inc50%$5.4M
18Reliant Foundation Inc50%$15.2M
19Wellfleet Conservation Trust51%$447K
20Daybreak Inc60%$552K

Related Analysis

Frequently Asked Questions

How do Massachusetts nonprofits spend their money?

On average, Massachusetts nonprofits spend 80% on programs, 13% on administration, and 6% on fundraising. This is based on IRS 990 data from 984 organizations.

What is a good program expense ratio?

Most charity evaluators consider 75% or higher to be a strong program expense ratio. In Massachusetts, the average is 80%.

How can I find the most efficient nonprofits?

The table above ranks Massachusetts nonprofits by program spending percentage. You can also use our Rankings page to find the most efficient organizations nationally or by state.