Smile Train
Trains local surgeons and funds free cleft lip and palate surgery in low- and middle-income countries.
At a glance
Rating and filings checked Oct 13, 2026. Sources: Charity Navigator, IRS Form 990 via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. How we check
Is Smile Train a good charity?
Smile Train holds Charity Navigator's highest rating: 4 out of 4 stars, with an overall score of 97%. Its 2023 Form 990 reports $99.4M in revenue, about the same as in 2019, and $116.0M in expenses. Rating checked Oct 13, 2026.
Finances
From Smile Train's annual IRS Form 990 filings (filed as Smile Train Inc).
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Net assets | Officer & key staff pay | Filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $99.4M | $116.0M | $363.8M | $1.5M | |
| 2022 | $119.4M | $114.0M | $361.3M | $965K | 990 PDF |
| 2021 | $113.1M | $94.6M | $422.8M | $910K | 990 PDF |
| 2020 | $98.3M | $81.7M | $357.4M | $868K | |
| 2019 | $96.7M | $77.0M | $336.9M | $952K | 990 PDF |
A newer filing for 2024 is out but not yet summarized: read the 2024 Form 990 (PDF).
Officer & key staff pay is the 990's total for current officers, directors, trustees and key employees, not one salary.
What charities in health & medical do
Health and medical charities deliver care through a combination of direct service (clinics, mobile units, hospital ships), supply distribution (bed nets, vaccines, vitamin supplements), and partnerships with ministries of health and local healthcare workers. The most cost-effective operate in low- and middle-income countries where every dollar reaches further. Funding supports medicine procurement, clinical staffing, training local healthcare workers, and infrastructure like cold-chain logistics for vaccines.
How to judge charities in this area
For global health charities, look for evidence based on randomized controlled trials, transparent cost-per-life-saved or cost-per-DALY (disability-adjusted life year) figures, and recent independent reviews. GiveWell's published cost-effectiveness analyses are the most rigorous public resource. For US-focused health charities, check the program-to-overhead ratio and how they measure patient outcomes, not just patients served.
How to support beyond a one-time gift
- + Recurring monthly gifts let organizations plan procurement of bed nets, medicines, and equipment
- + Designate gifts to a specific program rather than the general fund if you want clearer impact reporting
- + Use employer matching programs — many companies double or triple gifts to registered health nonprofits
- + Donate appreciated stock instead of cash to avoid capital gains tax
- + Spread the word on social media — many health charities note that awareness drives a measurable share of new donors
Verify before you give
A few minutes of independent verification pays off — especially for larger gifts. These resources let you confirm the details on Smile Train:
Frequently asked
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