It depends on the organization, how much of your contribution goes into field and programme work as opposed to administrative and fundraising expenses. Here are some examples that may influence your decision on which organisation to donate to. Be aware the figures might be not fully comparable.
Action against Hunger
According to Action against Hunger, the organizations uses 6 % of its funds for management, 3 % go into fundraising. That means 91 % of all funds are used for its programm work. These are very good values.
Amnesty International
Amnesty International is using 9.3% for fundraising and 3.2% for governance according to its website. These are good values. That means 87, 5 % of funds are directly used for its work.
CARE International
According to the organization, CARE uses 89% of all funds raised for program work, with 11% of expenditures going to fundraising and administration. These are good values.
Concern Worldwide
According to its website, more than 90 % of a donation to Concern Worldwide go to relief and development work. About 2 % are used for education and advocacy. Some 7 % go to fundraising and 0.5 % are needed fo governance and administration. These are very good values.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
The ICRC says on its website 93.5% of donations are used directly for the organization's work in the field. That sounds remarkable.
The International Rescue Committee (IRC)
According to its website, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) is using 8 % of all funds for governance and administration. 5 % are used for fundraising. 87% of IRC's funds go into programme work. These are good values.
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)
MSF says on its website that 80.5% of funds raised go directly to its work. Â 4.4 % are needed for management and general administration. 15,1 % are used for fundraising. These are good values.
Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)
According to its website, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is using more than 90 % of all funds for field and programme work. That means less than 10 % are needed for administrative and fundraising expenses. These are very good values.
Oxfam International
According to Oxfam International, the organzations is using 9 % for fundraising and marketing, 20 % goes into operating expenses. These are average values. That means 71 % is directly used for humanitarian work, development programs and influencing work.
Save the Children
Save the Children says on its website that 85 % of all expenditures go into programme work, 10 % are used for fundraising and 5 % are needed for administration. These are good values.
The World Food Programme (WFP)
According to its website The World Food Programme (WFP) is using 28 % of a donation for fundraising. That’s a poor value. 11 % are needed for governance and administration. That means only 61 % of your donation goes to people in need.
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
According to the UN Refugee Agency 8 % of all funds are used for governance and administration. 85 % of funds raised go directly to field operations. 7 % are allocated for global programmes, helping refugees, internally displaced people, asylum seekers and stateless people under the UNHCR mandate. That sounds impressive.