FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 3, 2017
Brooke Havlik, WE ACT for Environmental Justice, 212-961-1000 ext. 320, brooke@weact.org
Only 25% of charities receive the highest rating of 4-stars.
New York, NY – WE ACT for Environmental Justice’s strong financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency have earned it a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent charity elevator. This is the first time that WE ACT for Environmental Justice has earned this top distinction.
Since 2002, using objective analysis, Charity Navigator has awarded only the most fiscally responsible organizations a 4-star rating. In 2011, Charity Navigator added 17 metrics, focused on governance and ethical practices as well as measures of openness, to its ratings methodology. These Accountability & Transparency metrics, which account for 50 percent of a charity’s overall rating, reveal which charities operate in accordance with industry best practices and whether they are open with their donors and stakeholders. On June 1, 2016, Charity Navigator upgraded its methodology for rating each charity’s’ financial health with CN 2.1. These enhancements further substantiate the financial health of Charity Navigator’s four star charities.
“WE ACT for Environmental Justice’s exceptional 4-star rating sets it apart from its peers and demonstrates its trustworthiness to the public,” according to Michael Thatcher, President & CEO of Charity Navigator. “Only a quarter of charities rated by Charity Navigator receive the distinction of our 4-star rating. This adds WE ACT to a preeminent group of charities working to overcome our world’s most pressing challenges. Based on its 4-star rating, people can trust that their donations are going to a financially responsible and ethical charity when they decide to support WE ACT.”
“It’s important our donors trust that we’re using their donations wisely to accomplish WE ACT’s mission to build healthy communities,” said Peggy Shepard, Executive Director. “Our 4-star Charity Navigator rating demonstrates to our supporters our good governance and financial accountability.”
WE ACT for Environmental Justice’s rating and other information about charitable giving are available free of charge on www.charitynavigator.org.