NEWS RELEASE

United Way of Indian River County’s sound fiscal management practices and commitment to accountability and transparency have earned it a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent charity evaluator.

“United Way of Indian River County’s coveted 4-star rating puts it in a very select group of high-performing charities,” according to Ken Berger, President and CEO, Charity Navigator. “Out of the thousands of nonprofits Charity Navigator evaluates, only one out of four earns 4 stars – a rating that, now, with our new Accountability and Transparency metrics, demands even greater rigor, responsibility and commitment to openness. United Way of Indian River County’s supporters should feel much more confident that their hard-earned dollars are being used efficiently and responsibly when it acquires such a high rating.”

“It’s important that we are trusted to use donor funds wisely providing the building blocks for a good life in the areas of education, financial stability and health,” said Michael Kint, United Way of Indian River County CEO. “Our 4-star Charity Navigator rating demonstrates that we take our fiduciary and governance responsibilities very seriously.”

Since 2002, using data-driven analysis, Charity Navigator has awarded only the most fiscally responsible organizations a 4-star rating. In 2011, Charity Navigator added a second dimension of Accountability and Transparency (A&T) to its rating methodology, and now reviews 17 governance and ethical practices as well as measures for openness, providing information on its web site for each of the charities it evaluates. The A&T metrics, which account for 50 percent of a charity’s overall rating, reveal which charities have “best practices” that minimize the chance of unethical activities and whether they freely share basic information about their organization with their donors and other stakeholders.

United Way of Indian River County’s rating and other information about charitable giving are available free of charge at www.charitynavigator,org.

United Way of Indian River County is encouraging people in the community to LIVE UNITED by donating to the annual campaign, helping spread the word about programs and services that help people in need, and volunteering their time and talent to a local cause. For more information on how you can LIVE UNITED and help create a brighter future for those in need in our community, please call 772-567-8900 or visit our website www.unitedwayirc.org