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Americans are some of the most charitable people in the world. In 2015, Americans donated a record amount: $373 billion. This post looks at five of the largest charities in America and the work that each organization does to benefit the world.

United Way

The United Way focuses on education, income and health. It has nearly 1,200 local offices throughout the country. The United Way addresses different issues in each community where it is located. One of the reasons that the organization has been so successful is because it routinely partners with other organizations like schools and businesses.

Salvation Army

The Salvation Army is a Christian organization founded in 1865 in England. It is currently located in 127 countries. In America the organization might be most popularly known for its red kettles that appear during the Christmas season. Volunteers stand outside of businesses and ring bells or sing Christmas carols so that people will feel compelled to put money in the red kettle. With the money that it collects, the Salvation Army helps veterans, reaches out to prisoners, helps the homeless, and contributes to hunger relief among many other things. Here is the full list.

Feeding America

Last month was Hunger Action Month, and I wrote a post that discussed the positive impact of Feeding America. Feeding America’s goal is simple: end hunger in America. The organization manages 200 food banks throughout America. It also partners with many corporations, like Disney and Allstate, that contribute funds to its work. Each year the company releases a report that details the work it has done. The 2015 report is available here.

Task Force for Global Health

The Task Force for Global Health’s mission is “to reduce the burden of vaccine-preventable and neglected tropical diseases and strengthen health systems” (Mission, Vision, and Values). Like many of the organizations listed here, it partners with various organizations in order to have a greater impact. The organization currently works in 151 countries and focuses on eight different programs. As a result of the organization’s work, immunization rates have risen in many developing countries, and it is on track to eliminate a number of tropical diseases.

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is located in Memphis, Tennessee. As a result of the hospital’s work, the survival rate for acute lymphoblastic leukemia has increased to 94 percent. In 1962 when the hospital opened, the survival rate was only 4 percent. Children who receive treatment at the hospital never have to pay for anything that medical insurance doesn’t cover. The majority of money that’s donated to the organization goes directly toward research and treatment. Since November 2004 many retailers have participated in the Thanks and Giving campaign where customers are encouraged to add a donation at checkout.