What is the average administrative cost ratio for conservative non-profits in the US?

Checked on September 22, 2025
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1. Summary of the results

The average administrative cost ratio for conservative non-profits in the US is not explicitly stated in the provided analyses [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]. However, CharityWatch's rating methodology is mentioned, which considers a charity to be highly efficient when its program percentage is 75% or greater and its cost to raise $100 is $25 or less [6]. Additionally, The Heritage Foundation, a conservative non-profit, has an administrative cost ratio of 30% according to CharityWatch's analysis of its 2023 financial reporting [7]. This suggests that some conservative non-profits may have administrative cost ratios around 30%, but it is not a comprehensive average for all conservative non-profits in the US. Key points to note include:

  • The lack of a clear average administrative cost ratio for conservative non-profits [1] [2] [3]
  • The importance of program expense ratios for nonprofits [5]
  • CharityWatch's rating methodology for evaluating non-profits [6]

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Some key context missing from the original statement includes:

  • Definition of conservative non-profits: The original statement does not provide a clear definition of what constitutes a conservative non-profit, which could impact the accuracy of the average administrative cost ratio [1].
  • Variability in administrative cost ratios: The analyses suggest that administrative cost ratios can vary significantly between non-profits, even within the same sector [4] [5].
  • Impact of government funding: The analyses mention the impact of government funding cuts on nonprofits, but do not provide information on how this affects administrative cost ratios [2] [3].

Alternative viewpoints to consider include:

  • Non-profit sector as a whole: The average administrative cost ratio for the non-profit sector as a whole may be different from that of conservative non-profits specifically [3].
  • Different rating methodologies: Other organizations, such as the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance, may have different rating methodologies that could impact the evaluation of administrative cost ratios [6].

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement may be misleading or biased because it:

  • Assumes a single average administrative cost ratio exists: The analyses suggest that administrative cost ratios can vary significantly between non-profits, making it difficult to determine a single average ratio [4] [5].
  • Fails to provide context for conservative non-profits: The original statement does not provide a clear definition of what constitutes a conservative non-profit, which could impact the accuracy of the average administrative cost ratio [1].
  • May be influenced by external factors: The analyses mention the impact of government funding cuts on nonprofits, which could affect administrative cost ratios and create a biased perspective [2] [3]. The Heritage Foundation, which has an administrative cost ratio of 30%, may benefit from this framing [7], while other non-profits with higher or lower administrative cost ratios may be negatively impacted.
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