Fistula Foundation
Funds surgery to treat obstetric fistula, a childbirth injury, for women in low-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 Fistula Foundation a good charity?
Fistula Foundation holds Charity Navigator's highest rating: 4 out of 4 stars, with an overall score of 98%. Its 2023 Form 990 reports $29.3M in revenue, up 142% from $12.1M in 2019, and $22.9M in expenses. Rating checked Oct 13, 2026.
Finances
From Fistula Foundation's annual IRS Form 990 filings (filed as The Fistula Foundation).
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Net assets | Officer & key staff pay | Filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $29.3M | $22.9M | $26.6M | $350K | 990 PDF |
| 2022 | $14.4M | $16.3M | $17.4M | $582K | 990 PDF |
| 2021 | $18.6M | $13.3M | $21.8M | $518K | 990 PDF |
| 2020 | $13.5M | $11.4M | $15.1M | $514K | |
| 2019 | $12.1M | $12.8M | $11.6M | $456K | 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 Fistula Foundation:
Frequently asked
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