Trying to figure out what charities to support with your holiday / year-end philanthropy? Charity Navigator uses information reported by charities on Form 990s to rates hundred of American non-profits on organizational efficiency and capacity, among other things.
Here are a few of Gopher Girl’s favorite charities and how they rated (out of 4 stars):
- Initiative Foundation: 4 Stars
- Pancreatic Cancer Action Network: 4 Stars
- Amherst College: 4 Stars
- American Refugee Committee: 3 Stars
- Minnesota Public Radio: 3 Stars
- Lance Armstrong Foundation: 3 Stars
- The Nature Conservancy: 3 Stars
- Girl Scouts (National): 3 Stars
- Carleton College: 3 Stars
- American Cancer Society: 2 Stars
- Minnesota Historical Society: 2 Stars
- Public Radio International: 2 Stars
- Rails to Trails Conservancy: 2 Stars
- League of American Bicyclists: 1 Star
- Emergency Foodshelf Network: 1 Star
Note: The standards they apply to food shelves seem particularly rigorous. Also, there are a lot of reasons that a charity may rank 1 or 2 stars, not just excessive fundraising expenses. For example, charities that report a decline in revenues are penalized. However, to me this may signal that (provided it’s a worthwhile organization) they have a greater need (See Morehouse College.)
