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Top Rated

Doctors Without Borders USA

CharityWatch report issued
October 2021

Top-Rated Charity
A
CharityWatch Grade
Our independent grade based
on a number of factors.
 
85%
Program Percentage
Amount spent on programs
relative to overhead.
 
$13
Cost to Raise $100
Amount spent to raise
$100 of contributions.

Contact Information

Doctors Without Borders USA
40 Rector Street
16th Floor
New York, NY 10006

Other Names

Medecins Sans Frontieres USA

Tax Status

501(c)3

Stated Mission

To provide independent medical humanitarian emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, malnutrition, natural disasters, and exclusion from health care.

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Data based on Fiscal Year Ended 12/31/2020

Program Percentage: 85%

The percentage of Doctors Without Borders USA's cash budget it spends on programs relative to overhead (fundraising, management, and general expenses).

$499,000,000

Calculated Total Expenses

(rounded)

 

Cost to Raise $100: $13

How many dollars Doctors Without Borders USA spends on fundraising to raise each $100 of contributions.

$540,000,000

Calculated Total Contributions

(rounded)

Government Funding

0% to 24%

Percentage of cash revenue
coming from government sources

 

Financial Documents

Entity Document Type Tax ID
Doctors Without Borders IRS Form 990 13-3433452
Doctors Without Borders Audited Financial Statements 13-3433452
Entity: Doctors Without Borders
Document Type: IRS Form 990
Tax ID: 13-3433452
Entity: Doctors Without Borders
Document Type: Audited Financial Statements
Tax ID: 13-3433452

Governance & Transparency

CharityWatch evaluates certain criteria related to a charity's Governance and Transparency. Donors may want to consider a charity's willingness to be open and transparent with CharityWatch to be a good litmus test for determining its commitment to public accountability.
This charity is Top-Rated
What does it mean to be Top-Rated?
 
Doctors Without Borders USA
meets governance benchmarks.
 
Doctors Without Borders USA
meets transparency benchmarks.
Transparency
Provides Financial Information
Audit Accessibility
Governance: Policies
Reports regularly & consistently monitoring & enforcing compliance with a written Conflict of Interest Policy
Reports required, annual disclosure by officers, directors, and key staff of interests that could give rise to conflicts
Reports having a written Whistleblower Policy
Reports having a written Document Retention and Destruction Policy
Governance: Financials
Reports providing copy of tax form to all board members prior to filing it with IRS
Reports that financial statements were audited by an independent accountant
Governance: Board of Directors
Reports at least 5 voting board members
51% or more of voting board members reported as independent
Reports documenting minutes of board and board committee meetings
Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy Opt-Out Policy  

  Name Title Compensation
1 Avril Benoit Executive Director $252,559
2 Andreu Maldonado Past Director of Operations $239,348
3 Northan Hurtado Heriera Medical Advisor $236,569
1
Name: Avril Benoit
Title: Executive Director
Compensation: $252,559
2
Name: Andreu Maldonado
Title: Past Director of Operations
Compensation: $239,348
3
Name: Northan Hurtado Heriera
Title: Medical Advisor
Compensation: $236,569

CharityWatch Analysts perform an in-depth analysis of charities' audited financial statements and IRS tax filings, and often review other documents such as state filings, annual reports, and fundraising contracts during their evaluations. Below are select notes that CharityWatch believes may be of interest to donors.

According to the Doctors Without Borders USA audited Statement of Activities for the year ended December 31, 2020, Doctors Without Borders reports receiving contributions of in-kind services on which it placed a value of $1,877,335.

[Note: CharityWatch generally excludes the value of in-kind (non-cash) donations of goods and services from its calculations of Program % and Cost to Raise $100. More information on how grades are calculated and the treatment of in-kind donations can be found on the Our Process page.]

According to the Doctors Without Borders USA (MSF USA) audit of December 31, 2020 (Note 2 re: Risks and Uncertainties):

"MSF USA's investments consist of a variety of investment securities and investment funds. Investments in general are exposed to various risks, such as interest rate, market, credit and overall market volatility risk. Due to the level of risk associated with certain investments, it is reasonably possible that changes in the value of MSF USA's investments will occur in the near term and that such changes could materially affect the amounts reported in the accompanying [audited] financial statements."

According to the Doctors Without Borders USA (MSF USA) audit of December 31, 2020 (Note 17, Risk and Uncertainties, COVID-19):

"On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced a global health emergency because of a new strain of coronavirus...(the COVID-19 outbreak) and the risks to the international community as the virus spreads globally... In March 2020, the WHO classified the COVID-19 outbreak as a pandemic...

"MSF USA's operations are heavily dependent on private and public donations and grants from individuals, foundations and corporations. MSF-USA has incurred, and it is expected to incur for the foreseeable future, incremental and other COVID-19 pandemic-related expenses.

"From a fundraising perspective, MSF USA's donations have kept pace with MSF USA's 2020 plans. MSF USA's cash and short-term investment positions are sufficient to meet MSF USA's current and medium-term obligations. From an international perspective, the COVID-19 pandemic is limiting MSF USA's ability to place international staff and certain international programs are reducing activity or considering closure.

"The full impact of the COVID-19 outbreak continues to evolve as of the date of this report [May 25, 2021]. As such, it is uncertain as to the full impact that the pandemic will have on MSF USA's financial condition, liquidity and future results of operations. Management continues to actively monitor the global situation on its financial condition, liquidity, operations, suppliers, industry and workforce. The rapid development and fluidity of this situation precludes any prediction as to the ultimate material adverse impact of the COVID-19 outbreak with respect to MSF-USA, its performance and its financial results.

"Although MSF USA cannot estimate the length or gravity of the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak at this time, it may have an adverse effect on MSF USA's results of future operations, financial position, and liquidity in year 2021."


According to the Doctors Without Borders USA (MSF USA) audit of December 31, 2020 (Note 17, Risk and Uncertainties, CARES Act):

"On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (the CARES Act) was enacted. The CARES Act, among other things, includes provisions relating to refundable payroll tax credits...

"The CARES Act also appropriated funds for the Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program loans that are forgivable in certain situations to promote continued employment, as well as Economic Injury Disaster Loans to provide liquidity to small businesses harmed by COVID-19. MSF USA has opted not to apply for a loan through the Paycheck Protection Program.

"MSF USA did not defer or delay any timely payment of payroll taxes during the period from March 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020.

"On December 27, 2020, the President signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (the Act), which includes $900 billion in stimulus relief as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. MSF USA is currently evaluating the impact of the Act."

According to the Doctors Without Borders USA (MSF USA) audit of December 31, 2020 (Note 18, Subsequent Events):

"On March 10, 2021, the President signed the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act into law. MSF USA has not applied for and does not expect to apply for any of the American Rescue Plan Act funding or benefits. In March 2021, MSF USA agreed to a third one-year extension of an initial term of the agreement that was signed in March 2018 with Drugs for Neglected Diseases [I]nitiative, North America Inc. to allow the use of a portion of the premises owned by MSF USA. The monthly license fee was reduced to $2,500.

"MSF USA evaluated events subsequent to December 31, 2020 through May 25, 2021, the date on which the [audited] financial statements were available to be issued. Other than the matters noted in Note 17 [see portions cited in a separate Analysts' Note, above] and above, there were no subsequent events requiring adjustment to the financial statements or disclosures stated herein."


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