The 2026 Charitable Tax Guide: Domestic Support, Medical Research, and Veteran Affairs

HQ: Chicago, IL

Feeding America is the largest domestic charity in the U.S., mobilizing $4.96 billion in private support. It acts as the backbone for a network of 200 food banks, leveraging massive scale and corporate partnerships to turn $1 into at least 10 meals.

HQ: Normal, IL

A "Super-sized" charity that relies heavily on volunteers to keep operational costs nearly non-existent. They are currently active in the relief efforts for the Southwest/Southern Tornadoes of 2025, providing rapid food deployment.

HQ: Alexandria, VA

The "logistics expert" of the non-profit world. Good 360 partners with retailers (like Amazon, Walmart) to distribute excess goods to charities rather than landfills. They handled $3.2 billion in donations with perfect efficiency ratings.

HQ: Americus, GA

Through its "sweat equity" model, Habitat remains the premier organization for affordable homeownership. It ranks high in both domestic and international needs categories, empowering families to build stability.

HQ: New York, NY

The pioneer of food rescue, collecting excess food from restaurants and markets in NYC. Their work is critical for addressing urban hunger in high-cost-of-living areas where food insecurity is often invisible.

HQ: Plano, TX

An example of a high-performing regional food bank. Their role has been amplified in 2025 due to the Central Texas flooding crisis, serving as a primary distribution node for relief.

HQ: New York, NY

The nation's oldest advocacy and direct service organization helping homeless individuals. They provide immediate food and shelter while simultaneously litigating for the legal right to housing.

HQ: New York, NY

Famous for its "Ready, Willing & Able" program, The Doe Fund provides paid work (street cleaning) and housing to homeless men, effectively breaking cycles of recidivism and addiction.

HQ: Novato, CA

A medium-sized charity achieving perfect scores for its comprehensive approach to ending homelessness in the Bay Area, offering shelter, job training, and transitional housing.

HQ: New York, NY

CSH functions as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), lending capital to create supportive housing for the most vulnerable. This is a high-level systemic impact investment.

HQ: Alexandria, VA

While a massive federated network, United Way remains the largest vehicle for local community funding in the U.S., raising $2.48 billion annually to support education, income, and health.

HQ: Alexandria, VA

Ubiquitous and effective, operating rehabilitation centers, shelters, and disaster canteens in nearly every zip code. They maintain an 89% fundraising efficiency rating.

HQ: Rockville, MD

Funded largely by its retail operations, Goodwill is a powerhouse in workforce development, providing job training and placement services particularly for those with barriers to employment.

HQ: Washington, DC

Focuses on increasing access to school breakfast and summer meal programs through advocacy and grants, ensuring children have the nutrition they need to learn.

HQ: St. Louis, MO

A smaller, agile organization rated highly for its direct aid in both domestic and international famine situations. They are known for rapid deployment of food and shelter.

HQ: Redmond, WA

Provides a "one-stop" shop for food, energy assistance, and transportation in the Pacific Northwest. Their model of integrated care helps clients achieve long-term stability.

HQ: Memphis, TN

St. Jude is unique: no family ever receives a bill for treatment, travel, housing, or food. This model is powered by $2.7 billion in private donations. It holds a 4-star rating and acts as a global leader in pediatric oncology data sharing.

HQ: New York, NY

The CRI focuses exclusively on immunotherapy, the most promising new frontier in cancer treatment. Their efficiency (A rating) ensures funds go directly to labs for clinical research, not to administrative overhead.

HQ: New York, NY

Known for its aggressive "de-risking" of scientific research, this foundation funds clinical trials that pharmaceutical companies might consider too risky. It is a favorite among impact-oriented medical donors for its results-driven approach.

HQ: New York, NY

Widely considered the highest-rated breast cancer organization. BCRF operates with minimal overhead to fund clinical and translational research, accelerating progress toward prevention and cure.

HQ: New York, NY

Celebrating its 30th year in 2025, the Fisher Center consistently earns top ratings for its research into the biological causes of Alzheimer's. Their "Preserving Your Memory" program is highly acclaimed.

HQ: New York, NY

With mental health crises escalating in 2025, AFSP is the premier organization funding suicide research and providing survivor support. Their work is critical in advocacy and education.

HQ: New York, NY

Awards grants to scientists for research into schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder. Uniquely, 100% of donor contributions for research go directly to grants (overhead is covered by separate endowments).

HQ: Alexandria, VA

Focuses on "Before Stage 4" thinking—early identification and intervention for mental health conditions. MHA provides essential screening tools and policy advocacy.

HQ: Chicago, IL

Provides critical housing near hospitals for families traveling for pediatric care. RMHC is a staple of the medical support ecosystem, ensuring families can stay together during treatment.

HQ: New York, NY

Delivers high-quality health care to America's most disadvantaged children via mobile medical units (blue buses), reaching remote and underserved urban populations.

HQ: Washington, DC

A specialized, high-performing charity focused on the second deadliest cancer in the U.S. They provide screening, care coordination, and research funding.

HQ: Santa Monica, CA

The leading philanthropic organization funding prostate cancer research globally. Their work accelerates the delivery of new therapies to patients.

HQ: New York, NY

The largest global organization dedicated to fighting ovarian cancer through research and policy. They are the voice for patients and the primary funder of scientific inquiry.

HQ: New York, NY

A world-class institution where patient care and research are integrated. Donating here supports the direct translation of lab discoveries into bedside treatments.

HQ: Rockville, MD

Focuses on ending the worst abuses in factory farming (e.g., battery cages) through relentless corporate campaigns. They are consistently rated as one of the most cost-effective animal charities.

Focus: Academic Research

Works to establish the field of wild animal welfare science, asking how we can improve the lives of animals in nature rather than just conserving species numbers. ACE Recommended.

Focus: European Standards

Uses inspections and media to improve standards for chickens and fish in Spain and the EU. Their data-driven approach pressures producers to improve living conditions.

HQ: Los Angeles, CA

Conducts undercover investigations into factory farms to expose cruelty and drive legal change. Their footage often serves as the catalyst for major policy reforms.

HQ: Washington, DC

Accelerates the development of plant-based and cultivated meat to remove animals from the food system entirely. This represents a technological solution to animal cruelty.

HQ: Jacksonville, FL

A model "no-kill" shelter with perfect financial scores. They focus on keeping pets with families through safety-net programs, setting a standard for municipal sheltering.

HQ: Tampa, FL

Another top-performing Florida shelter providing essential care and adoption services. They are known for their high-volume, high-quality care and community outreach.

HQ: Olympia, WA

Provides the data and research that other animal charities use to be effective. They bridge the gap between academic research and advocacy strategy.

HQ: Sacramento, CA

Makes factory cruelty a liability by suing companies that violate existing animal cruelty laws. Their strategic litigation forces compliance through economic pressure.

Focus: Crustacean Welfare

A niche but high-impact group focusing on the trillions of shrimp farmed annually, often in horrific conditions. They work to improve water quality and stunning methods.

HQ: Rockville, MD

Builds "comfort homes" at military and VA medical centers so families can stay free of charge while a loved one is in the hospital. Fisher House is consistently top-rated for efficiency and transparency.

HQ: Franklin, TN

Provides specially adapted smart homes for severely wounded heroes through its R.I.S.E. program. The foundation is known for low overhead and high direct-impact spending.

HQ: Camp Pendleton, CA

Provides immediate financial assistance and lifetime support to combat wounded from all branches. Their case management approach ensures long-term recovery support.

HQ: Taunton, MA

Builds and donates specially adapted custom homes nationwide for severely injured post-9/11 veterans. This removes the financial burden of housing, allowing vets to focus on recovery.

HQ: Virginia Beach, VA

Provides critical support to the Naval Special Warfare community and their families, addressing the unique stressors of special operations through education, health, and resilience programs.