Save the Children

What it reported doing in 2024

Education: save the children works to help children everywhere fulfill their right to a quality education. We ensure children are ready to succeed in school so they can succeed in life then we support them through their school years so they can build their knowledge and confidence to make the most of their potential. In the last decade, save the children has worked with more children to make sure they get a quality education than any other global nonprofit, helping millions of children fulfill their opportunity to learn. Global education results - save the children works globally to ensure children have access to safe, inclusive, and quality education, especially in areas affected by poverty, conflict, and natural disasters. By investing in schools, training teachers, and supporting communities, we help children overcome barriers to learning and reach key educational milestones. Through targeted programs and advocacy, save the children empowers children with the skills and opportunities they need to succeed in school and in life. U.s. Education results - save the children works to close education gaps in rural america by partnering with underserved communities to expand access to early learning, literacy, and mental health support. Our programs are designed to promote school readiness, improve academic performance, and foster healthy development. We help more children in rural areas get ready for kindergarten than any other non-profit, a distinction that reflects both the scale and effectiveness of our early learning initiatives. Through these efforts and ongoing advocacy, save the children helps children overcome systemic barriers and build a strong foundation for lifelong success.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 81.7%; rating input score 82
• Program expense ratio: 83.2%; rating input score 83
• Fundraising efficiency: $11.55 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 45; 45th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 68th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 5 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 83
  • Compensation committee: Pass
  • Independent consultant: Pass
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Pass
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: 2 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 25
  • Claims monitoring procedures: Pass
  • Requires narrative reports: Fail
  • Conducts field audits: Fail
  • May suspend future funding: Fail
  • Requires financial reports: Pass
  • Conducts site visits: Fail
  • Requires grant agreements: Fail
  • May require repayment: Fail
• Grant itemization coverage: 100%; rating input score 100; 49th percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Yes; rating input score 100

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 93.9%; rating input score 94; 43rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 9 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Pass
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 2.6%; rating input score 46; 46th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.61; rating input score 23; 23rd percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.35; rating input score 50; 50th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 0.9%; rating input score 75; 75th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 3.6% per year; rating input score 100; 27th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 4.2% per year; rating input score 100; 35th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 4.6% per year; rating input score 100; 33rd percentile among comparable filings