SIDNEY – Shelby County United Way’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 evaluator. This is the third time that Shelby County United Way has earned this top distinction in the last four years.
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, the local United Way upgraded its methodology for rating each charity’s’ financial health with CN 2.1. These enhancements further substantiates the financial health of our four star charities.
“Shelby County United Way’s exceptional 4-star rating sets it apart from its peers and demonstrates its trustworthiness to the public,” said to Michael Thatcher, president and CEO of Charity Navigator. “Only a quarter of charities rated by Charity Navigator receive the distinction of our 4-star rating. This adds Shelby County United Way 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 Shelby County United Way.”
“It’s important our donors trust that we’re using their donations wisely to accomplish sustainable impact towards the improvement of quality of life and self-sufficiency with our partner agency’s work and new programming and initiatives,” said Scott Barr, Director of the Shelby County United Way. “Our 4-star Charity Navigator rating demonstrates to our supporters our good governance and financial accountability.”
Shelby County United Way’s rating and other information about charitable giving are available free of charge on www.charitynavigator.org. More-detailed information about Shelby County United Way’s rating is available to Charity Navigator site visitors who become registered users, another free service.
Charity Navigator, www.charitynavigator.org, is the largest charity evaluator in America and its website attracts more visitors than all other charity rating groups combined. The organization helps guide intelligent giving by evaluating the Financial Health and Accountability & Transparency of more than 8,000 charities. Charity Navigator accepts no advertising or donations from the organizations it evaluates, ensuring unbiased evaluations, nor does it charge the public for this trusted data. As a result, Charity Navigator, a 501 (c) (3) public charity itself, depends on support from individuals, corporations and foundations that believe it provides a much-needed service to America’s charitable givers. Charity Navigator, can be reached directly by telephone at (201) 818-1288, or by mail at 139 Harristown Road, Suite 101, Glen Rock, N.J., 07452.
The Shelby County United Way is a local 501c3 non-profit organization. Monies raised in the annual campaign are invested locally under the leadership and direction of our local volunteer Board of Directors and Community Allocation Volunteers. Last year, one in four residents were served by United Way programming. Through the seventh week, the campaign totals are $634,734. Donors can make payroll contributions with participating employers or make a one time or reoccurring donation by visiting www.shelbycountyunitedway.org or text SHELBY to 40403. Checks can be made payable to Shelby County United Way and mailed to P.O. Box 751, Sidney.
The community is invited to celebrate the conclusion of the 2018 Annual Campaign Thursday, Nov. 8, at the Sidney American Legion starting at 11:30 a.m. with a complimentary lunch. Reservations are not needed.
