Danielle V. Minson — Raising the Bar
Jewish Federation Earns 4-Star Rating from Charity Navigator for 8th Consecutive Year
The Jewish Federation of Cincinnati’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 eighth consecutive year that the Jewish Federation has earned this top distinction.
“The Jewish Federation of Cincinnati’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 the Federation 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 the Jewish Federation.”
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. In 2016, Charity Navigator upgraded its methodology again, further substantiating the financial health of its 4-star charities.
“It’s important to our stakeholders that we use our financial resources wisely to accomplish our mission—to build a vibrant Jewish community by guiding strategic, holistic community priorities, creating capacity for our partner agencies and congregations, and mobilizing in times of need,” said Federation CEO Shep Englander. “Our 4-star Charity Navigator rating demonstrates to our supporters our good governance and financial accountability.”
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.
