Frequently Asked Questions

What is the objective of the Samaritan Award and Guide?

The last forty years of federal welfare programs have taught us that, in general, such programs are not only ineffective in helping vulnerable populations, but often make social problems worse. Despite multi-trillion dollar expenditures in these programs since the 1960s, poverty rates are largely unchanged. Worse, a variety of social pathologies, from an explosion of single family homes to intergenerational poverty and domestic violence can be linked to the very programs designed to solve such problems.

The problem is not a lack of good intentions. The problem is that large, impersonal, government bureaucracies with little accountability are the wrong instruments to meet the needs of our most vulnerable fellow citizens. All things being equal, the charities closest to the problem are most likely to succeed in solving the problem. Unfortunately, the reach of federal programs is now so extensive that even many private charities are, in effect, part of the system itself.

The objective of the Samaritan Award and Guide is to encourage and highlight charities that succeed without large amounts of government funding. Our hope is to show that, in general, private, personal, faith-based charities outperform federally funded welfare programs.

Why does Acton run this charities rating program?

Acton works with religious leaders and other shapers of the moral consensus, who are involved in charitable work. However, they are often unaware of the pitfalls of accepting government funding or of supporting government social welfare programs. They may also lack reliable information about effective charities. Acton Institute began the Samaritan Award and Guide to help connect the good intentions of these opinion leaders with charities that implement the principles illustrated in the parable of the Good Samaritan.

What is the Samaritan Guide?

The Samaritan Guide is an online database of United States charities that accept little or no government funding and that serve vulnerable human populations. This unique resource, available at no charge, provides program information including implementation of Marvin Olasky’s effective compassion principles. The guide focuses on outcomes and personal transformation, how religious and moral principles are implemented, and funding sources.

How is the Samaritan Guide different from other charity rating services?

The Samaritan Guide focuses on charities that rely on private monies rather than government funding. While it includes some basic financial information, it evaluates more holistically. It includes the role of faith and spirituality. Charities apply to the guide; Acton does not select them. Therefore, the size of charities rated also varies widely, from very large organizations to very small charities.

Why is the source of funding such an important issue for charities?

We believe that individuals are helped when solutions are tailored to meet their specific needs, when personal interaction encourages accountability, when religious, moral and spiritual issues are included, and when the dignity of each human person is preserved. Private charity, and the nonprofits they support, can better provide this kind of service because it is local, direct, flexible, and personal. In contrast, large government bureaucracies tend to value generic delivery of services and are not personally connected to the unique individual person in need.

Why do you focus on charities that serve individuals?

When individuals relate one-on-one, both the giver and receiver can be transformed because each knows the other and can hold the other accountable. Such relationships are more effective at solving problems and meeting human needs. This is illustrated in the story of the Good Samaritan. A network of connected individuals that encompasses the person in need, the service provider, and the broad support of family, friends and community is the most effective scenario for helping a person move toward self-sufficiency.

What is the Samaritan Award?

The annual Samaritan Awards identifies and rewards programs that exemplify the Seven Principles of Effective Compassion and demonstrate accountability and transparency. These exceptional charities help individuals break the cycle of dependency by providing help that is direct, personal, and accountable.

The Samaritan Award also serves as the entry point to the Samaritan Guide.

Samaritan Guide