David Harris
Jewish Federation Recognized as 4-Star Charity for 7th Year in a Row
So proud and grateful to let you know that, for 2017, we are in the top 3% of charities that Charity Navigator reviews. —Danielle
Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent charity evaluator, gave the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati a 4-star rating—its highest—for the seventh consecutive year. The rating is an assessment of a nonprofit organization’s strong financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency.
“This is our highest possible rating and indicates that your organization adheres to sector best practices and executes its mission in a financially efficient way,” said Michael Thatcher, President and CEO of Charity Navigator. “Attaining a 4-star rating verifies that the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati exceeds industry standards and outperforms most charities in its area of work. Only 3 percent of the charities we evaluate have received at least 7 consecutive 4-star evaluations.”
Since 2002, 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. In 2016, Charity Navigator upgraded its methodology again, further substantiating the financial health of its 4-star charities.
Charity Navigator ratings are based on two primary factors:
Financial Health
- Program Expenses at least 75% of total expenses
- Administrative expense between 15-20%
- Fundraising expenses at 10% or less
- Strong revenue growth and program expense growth
- Strong working capital ratios
Transparency and Accountability
- Independent Board of Directors
- Board Directors names listed
- Board Directors NOT compensated
- CEO name and salary published
- CEO compensation determination process in place
- Audited Financial Statements
- Limited loan activity
- IRS Form 990 available
- Conflict of Interest Policy in place
- Whistleblower policy in place
- Records retention and destruction policy in place
About Charity Navigator
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 Jewish Federation of Cincinnati: We look at the whole picture, taking into account the diverse needs of the entire community. Together we can do almost anything.
