Charity Navigator

San Francisco, CA., August 31, 2009 — The V Foundation for Cancer Research, one of the nation’s leading organizations for cancer research having raised over $80 million since its 1993 inception, and ExperienceProject.com, the world’s largest online forum for connecting and sharing life experiences, today announced results of the first ever TwitCause, a new weekly social media program designed to raise awareness and monetary support for various social cause groups and non-profit organizations via Twitter.

Burlingame, CA, August 31, 2009 — Tactical Philanthropy Advisors, an advisory firm working with wealthy individuals and families, launched today. It is headed by Sean Stannard-Stockton, co-founder of a wealth advisory firm focused on philanthropists, a columnist for the Chronicle of Philanthropy and author of the industry leading blog Tactical Philanthropy.

August 12, 2009 — The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation announced it has received a 4-star rating for sound fiscal management for the second year in a row from Charity Navigator, the largest charity evaluator in the United States.

August 10, 2009, The Plain Dealer — Pressure has never been so great for nonprofits to prove their worth. For groups seeking grants and donations, it's no longer enough to have a charismatic director or a touching story to tell.

WASHINGTON, DC, April 14, 2009 — The Alliance for Effective Social Investing, a network of nonprofit leaders, which includes the CEOs of GuideStar, Charity Navigator, BBB Wise Giving Alliance and Network For Good met in Washington, D.C. and agreed to work together to drive more funds to high-performing nonprofits.

In fall of 2008, the 25-year-old Food Bank For New York City was facing a crisis. A quickly souring economy was a double-edged sword — making for an increased need among people requiring food assistance, and decreased donations of both food and money from businesses and individuals feeling the pinch.

Peter Singer is on a crusade to convince Americans that they can play a vital role in ending world poverty, without undue sacrifice.

What can individual donors learn from the philanthropic practices of big corporations? We talked with three corporate leaders at an annual gathering of the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP) to find out how big companies make charitable gifts and what their practices can teach individual givers. We also quizzed them about corporate social responsibility — the buzz-term for putting a good charitable or socially-aware face on your company — and whether it helps attract new, younger employees.

Back in December, I wrote that the one thing I wanted to know before donating to a nonprofit was whether it was achieving its goals. Since it's hard to find that information, I was happy to see that Charity Navigator is exploring how to integrate data on outcomes — progress in achieving goals — into its notoriously distorted rating system for nonprofits. This has the potential to increase the total social good produced by the sector: Rating nonprofits based on outcomes will direct more donor dollars to the nonprofits with the greatest positive impact and will encourage all nonprofits to improve their outcomes.

Of all America’s charities rated by the nationally respected independent evaluator Charity Navigator, just seven percent receive a consecutive four-star evaluation. Island Harvest, Long Island’s largest hunger relief organization, joins that rank scoring four stars — Charity Navigator’s highest rating — for the fourth consecutive year. The coveted designation demonstrates that Island Harvest consistently executes its mission in a fiscally responsible way, outperforming most other charitable organizations across the country.