Greater Kalamazoo United Way Receives Coveted 4-Star Rating from Charity Navigator

On Friday, September 23, 2011, Greater Kalamazoo United Way received word from Charity Navigator - America’s Largest Charity Evaluator - that it had received the coveted 4-star rating for sound fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency. Charity Navigator is America’s largest and most-utilized independent evaluator of charities.

“As the nonprofit sector continues to grow at an unprecedented pace, savvy donors are demanding more accountability, transparency and quantifiable results from the charities they choose to support with their hard-earned dollars. In this competitive philanthropic marketplace, Charity Navigator, America's premier charity evaluator, highlights the fine work of efficient, ethical and open charities. Our goal in all of this is to provide donors with essential information needed to give them greater confidence in the charitable choices they make.” – Charity Navigator

According to Charity Navigator, receiving four out of a possible four stars “indicates that GKUW adheres to good governance and other best practices that minimize the chance of unethical activities and consistently executes its mission in a fiscally responsible way.”

In the letter from Charity Navigator to GKUW, it was stated that “Approximately a quarter of the charities we evaluate have received our highest rating, indicating that Greater Kalamazoo United Way outperforms most other charities in America. This “exceptional” designation from Charity Navigator differentiates Greater Kalamazoo United Way from its peers and demonstrates to the public it is worthy of their trust.”

“We are very pleased to receive this distinction from Charity Navigator. GKUW has a long-standing tradition of sound fiscal management. We continue to have many practices and policies in place to ensure that we remain accountable and transparent. As a volunteer led organization, we owe a great deal of credit to the Finance Committee, Executive Committee and Board of Directors”, said Christopher Riker, Director of Marketing & Communications at GKUW.

GKUW has received this award four out of the last five years.

For more information about GKUW, please visit www.gkuw.org. You may also follow GKUW on Facebook, Flickr, YouTube and Twitter.