Donor Shares Question About Famine Aid

A donor contacted us with the following thoughtful question about the Africa Famine relief efforts:

“I am very troubled by the famine in Somalia and would like to help by sending a donation to a reputable organization. I've looked at a few on your website (thank you, I'm a big promoter of your organization), but I've heard some reports that aid cannot reach the needy in Somalia due to the government or other groups that are blocking such aid. I feel conflicted. I want to send money to help, but want some reassurance that it will reach the intended recipients. Can you give me some feedback on which organizations have been successful at getting their aid through?”

To help this donor get an answer, we invited each of the charities featured on our list of charities responding to this crisis to post a response here. We hope you’ll come back over the next few days and check for their responses.

(Photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Emmitt Hawks, Navy Visual News Service)





As a 501 (c) (3) organization itself, Charity Navigator depends on public support to help donors make informed choices. Please consider investing in the future of Charity Navigator by making a donation today.  Donate now >>

Time Is Running Out To Review Social Justice Charities

Time is running out to participate in the Social Justice campaign we've launched in partnership with GreatNonprofits. If you are a donor, volunteer, employee, Board member or a client of a Social Justice charity, then we want to hear about your experience. So long as it is based on your personal interaction with the charity, then we want to hear about it -- that includes both good and bad experiences.

On Sunday, the campaign ends and we’ll tally all the results. The 10 highly-rated Social Justice charities that receive the most reviews will be featured in our next newsletter (subscribe here) and in a new Top 10 list.

Click here to find out how you can get started reviewing one of the nearly 200 Advocacy and Civil Rights charities on our site.





As a 501 (c) (3) organization itself, Charity Navigator depends on public support to help donors make informed choices. Please consider investing in the future of Charity Navigator by making a donation today.  Donate now >>

Famine and Drought Crisis in East Africa

Last week, the United Nations declared a famine in parts of Somalia where as many as 3.7 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance. But it isn’t just people in Somalia that are suffering. Throughout the Horn of Africa, the drought has left 11.3 million people in need of food assistance.

On our site, you will find a list of 3 and 4-star charities that are responding.




As a 501 (c) (3) organization itself, Charity Navigator depends on public support to help donors make informed choices. Please consider investing in the future of Charity Navigator by making a donation today.  Donate now >>

Charity Navigator - The Next Generation!

In case you missed it, a few weeks ago we updated our donors, registered users and newsletter subscribers on the important progress we've made in making the next generation of Charity Navigator a reality. You can read all the exciting news here, and we hope you'll consider joining your fellow 20,000+ Charity Navigator users and supporters who have invested in this effort since its kickoff one year ago. We have come so far and your support is vitally needed to keep the momentum going! Thank You!



As a 501 (c) (3) organization itself, Charity Navigator depends on public support to help donors make informed choices. Please consider investing in the future of Charity Navigator by making a donation today.  Donate now >>

Don't Waste Your Money: Breast cancer charity accused of fraud

The Coalition Against Breast Cancer is the focus of this week's "Don't Waste Your Money" segment which airs on ABC in Baltimore. Here's the video:





As a 501 (c) (3) organization itself, Charity Navigator depends on public support to help donors make informed choices. Please consider investing in the future of Charity Navigator by making a donation today.  Donate now >>

Philanthropy Summer Camp

Charity Navigator’s President & CEO, Ken Berger, participates in Grab the Torch’s philanthropy summer camp for high school students. You can see his presentation from last year’s camp on his blog here. Even cooler is this new video created by some of the campers.





And if you want to learn more, then check out a recent radio interview with David Aldrich, the founder of the camp, here.






As a 501 (c) (3) organization itself, Charity Navigator depends on public support to help donors make informed choices. Please consider investing in the future of Charity Navigator by making a donation today.  Donate now >>

Discover the Secrets of High-Performance Organizations

Discover the secrets of high-performance charities at ETOLUTION 2011. This annual conference, presented by Social Solutions, takes place September 26 and 27th in Baltimore, MD. Join renowned industry leaders and peers, including Charity Navigator’s President & CEO, Ken Berger, for a comprehensive look into the innovative future of nonprofits.

At ETOLUTION 2011 you will:

• Learn why future funding success depends on whether your organization is considered a high performing, results oriented organization.


• Obtain practical and specific advice about how you can accelerate the transformation into a high-performing nonprofit and what resources are available to help.


• Network with thought leaders, performance management experts, and peers so you can benefit from their vast knowledge and experience; and they can learn from you.

Learn more and register now.



As a 501 (c) (3) organization itself, Charity Navigator depends on public support to help donors make informed choices. Please consider investing in the future of Charity Navigator by making a donation today.  Donate now >>

Children's Aid is Thrilled to Receive First Ever 11th Consecutive 4-Star Rating

Guest Post by Anthony Ramos, Director of Marketing and Communications, Children's Aid Society
The Children’s Aid Society is thrilled to be the first organization to earn an 11th consecutive 4-star rating from Charity Navigator! For more than 150 years, our organization has worked tirelessly on behalf of New York City’s underserved children and families. At the same time we strive to maintain the fiscal integrity that our donors have come to expect.

“We are delighted that Charity Navigator has evaluated Children’s Aid and found it ‘exceptional’ for the 11th consecutive year," said our President and CEO Richard R. Buery, Jr. “Charity Navigator provides assurance and guidance that Children’s Aid is fiscally responsible and financially healthy, which is particularly important during these uncertain financial times.”

Donors tell us that Charity Navigator gives them the confidence to invest in The Children's Aid Society. It is that confidence that will ultimately enable us to serve the children of New York City for the next 150 years.





As a 501 (c) (3) organization itself, Charity Navigator depends on public support to help donors make informed choices. Please consider investing in the future of Charity Navigator by making a donation today.  Donate now >>

Celebrating the 4th by Giving Back

After the grilled hot dogs and before the fireworks this 4th of July weekend, you may take a moment to reflect on all the men and women who have given their lives defending our country and considered ways in which you could honor their sacrifice. Why not make a donation? To help you give with confidence to military and veteran-related charities this 4th of July, check out our hot topic which highlights the highest and lowest-rated of these charities.





As a 501 (c) (3) organization itself, Charity Navigator depends on public support to help donors make informed choices. Please consider investing in the future of Charity Navigator by making a donation today.  Donate now >>