With a staggering $3.9 billion in private donations, United Way is the largest charity in the United Stated by a considerable distance, according to Forbes. The sheer scale of private donations to this charity based in Alexandria, Virginia, is certainly impressive given the tough economic climate at present. United Way has a network of over 1,300 regional affiliates and most of its fundraising comes from paycheck deductions.

The Salvation Army, which is also based in Alexandria, comes second on the list. Well known across the globe for its charity work, this group managed to raise $1.7 billion in the United States. Catholic Charities USA follows close behind, after pulling in $1.6 billion. The final billion dollar charity on the list is Feeding America. Based in Chicago, this network of food banks made approximately $1.1 billion in donations, the majority of which was food.