Good donor alignment with manageable risk. Evidence quality is solid but still evolving in places.
ICNA Relief USA Programs Inc provides critical humanitarian aid and social services to vulnerable populations across the United States through a highly efficient, Zakat-eligible model.
ICNA Relief USA Programs Inc operates as a major domestic humanitarian force, focusing on alleviating human suffering through compassionate service across the United States. The organization manages a diverse portfolio of social services, including hunger prevention, disaster relief, and transitional housing. With $46,368,440 in total revenue, the charity maintains a massive operational footprint while keeping costs remarkably low. They report a 93.7% program expense ratio in their primary financial filings, suggesting that every dollar is funneled directly into community support. This efficiency is further highlighted by their fundraising strategy, which requires only $0.06 to raise every $1. For Muslim donors, the organization provides a verified Zakat-eligible platform that serves multiple asnaf categories, including the poor (fuqara) and needy (masakin). Their domestic focus fills a critical gap in the American Muslim charitable landscape, providing refugee services and health clinics in states like California, Florida, and Massachusetts.
The organization earns a high overall rating due to its superior financial transparency, efficient use of donor funds, and its direct-service model that addresses urgent humanitarian needs.
Exceptional Financial Efficiency: The charity maintains a 93.7% program expense ratio and spends only $0.04 per $1 raised, maximizing donor impact.
High Accountability Standards: ICNA Relief meets all 20 BBB Wise Giving Alliance Standards and holds an overall score of 96.96.5/100 from Charity Navigator.
Robust Operational Reserves: The organization maintains 4.6 months of working capital, ensuring stability during economic fluctuations.
Impact assesses organizational indicators associated with effective programs. Alignment reflects fit with Muslim donor priorities.
Operations are highly efficient, with a cost per beneficiary of approximately $49.91 for humanitarian services.
Reaches each beneficiary at $49.91 (exceptional)
Delivers services directly to beneficiaries
What good looks like: reserve policy matched to mission risk. Typical range is 3-12 months for most nonprofits (often higher for volatile emergency response or designated endowment models).
Current reserves: 4.6 months (healthy range).
4.6 months of operating reserves (resilient)
Cash-adjusted program ratio: 88%
Tracks and verifies program outcomes
Has a well-articulated path from activities to impact
ICNA Relief uses a direct service model to provide immediate relief (food, shelter) while fostering long-term stability through refugee and health services.
Strong board oversight with 17 members
Impact measurement would benefit from tracking more than the current 7 outcome metrics via Candid.
Strong fit for Muslim donors with a public zakat claim on its website and a focus on six distinct Zakat categories.
Explicit zakat program; Muslim-focused organization; Asnaf: fuqara; Strong humanitarian service
Works in Humanitarian — a comparatively stronger evidence base
Serves underserved populations
Expand services to underserved populations or geographies with limited nonprofit coverage.
Established 2005 (21 years of track record)
Annual revenue of $58.0M — large organization with established funding
Non-cash Contribution Dependency: A significant portion of revenue, approximately 61%, consists of non-cash contributions, which can fluctuate in value.
Geographic Service Gaps: While national, there is room to expand services to underserved geographies with limited existing nonprofit coverage.
The primary concern is the 61% GIK (Gifts-in-Kind) inflation risk, where non-cash items represent a majority of revenue.
ICNA Relief uses a direct service model to provide immediate relief (food, shelter) while fostering long-term stability through refugee and health services.
Best for donors who want to fulfill Zakat obligations through a highly efficient domestic network providing direct social services to Americans in need.
Meets all 20 BBB Wise Giving Alliance Standards for Charity Accountability
View on give.orgThis evaluation is based on public data. We haven’t heard from ICNA Relief yet.
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