For the first time, Charity Navigator, the largest such evaluator in the U.S., gives UMCOR its top rating.

The strong financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency of the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) have earned it a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent charity evaluator. This is the first time that UMCOR 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 its 4-star charities.

“UMCOR’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 UMCOR 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 UMCOR.”

“As a ministry of The United Methodist Church through the General Board of Global Ministries, UMCOR’s goal is to assist the most vulnerable persons affected by crisis or chronic need. We believe all people have God-given worth and dignity. It is important our donors trust that we’re using their donations wisely to accomplish this goal,” said Thomas Kemper, chief executive of the General Board of Global Ministries.  “This 4-star Charity Navigator rating, along with the fact that UMCOR has met all 20 of the criteria set by the Better Business Bureau for charities, demonstrate to our supporters our good governance and financial accountability.”

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.

Last Updated on February 13, 2017