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The team from Charity Navigator, the nation's largest independent charity evaluator and leading donor advocate, shares their thoughts on emerging nonprofit-sector issues and offers tips to better inform your intelligent giving decisions.
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Wednesday, November 27, 2013
More Bad News about BADD
See the first news story on this group 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 >>
State Officials Open Investigation into Bikers Against Drunk Drivers

Bikers Against Drunk Drivers, a charity that's got a Donor Advisory, was the focus of a WESH-TV news story.
See the Donor Advisory here.
Watch the video below:
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 >>
KTRK-TV Takes a Closer Look at the 100 Club of Houston
KTRK-TV's 13 Undercover team took a closer look at the 100 Club of Houston. Watch the video to find out what prompted Ken Berger to say, "there are a few things here that concern us."
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 >>
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 >>
KVOA Reminds Viewers to be Informed Givers
Watch KVOA's story, "Checking The 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 >>
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 >>
The World Needs #unselfies
Next Tuesday is #GivingTuesday!
What is #GivingTuesday?
Find out 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 >>
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
WVTM Takes a Look at Charities in Birmingham
WVTM-TV: News, Weather, and Sports for Birmingham, AL
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 >>
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 >>
Holiday Gifts for your Favorite Nonprofit Professional
Looking for a gift for the nonprofit professional on your list? Well, look no further. Check out these informative books:
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 >>
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 >>
Monday, November 25, 2013
Website Improvements!!!
In the continuous pursuit to create the ideal user experience, we have recently enhanced our website! The changes were prompted by users' feedback on the functionality of certain features. Here are some highlights:
Layout of Search Results
1) Adding a charity to your 'My Charities' list has never been easier. A larger 'Add to My Charities' button is now highly prominent to the left of the charity results that appear after a search. Clicking the button will activate a pop-up that allows you to select which list (if you have more than one), you would like to add that charity to.
2) The process for comparing 2 or more charities on the search results page is now more obvious. Users just need to select the box to the left of the 'Compare' link. Once 2 or more boxes are selected, clicking the 'Compare' link will provide a comparison of the selected charities.
3)The format of the description of the charities in the search results has been modified slightly to include: rating, tag line, location, category and cause.
We would like to thank our users for all the feedback. We are continuously taking this feedback into account when evaluating how to enhance the website.
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 >>
Layout of Search Results
1) Adding a charity to your 'My Charities' list has never been easier. A larger 'Add to My Charities' button is now highly prominent to the left of the charity results that appear after a search. Clicking the button will activate a pop-up that allows you to select which list (if you have more than one), you would like to add that charity to.
2) The process for comparing 2 or more charities on the search results page is now more obvious. Users just need to select the box to the left of the 'Compare' link. Once 2 or more boxes are selected, clicking the 'Compare' link will provide a comparison of the selected charities.
3)The format of the description of the charities in the search results has been modified slightly to include: rating, tag line, location, category and cause.
1) New and improved graphs which are easier to read
2) A larger 'Add to My Charities' button located in the upper left-hand section of page to make it easier to add an organization to your lists
We would like to thank our users for all the feedback. We are continuously taking this feedback into account when evaluating how to enhance the website.
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 >>
Friday, November 22, 2013
Tips to Make the Most of Year-End Donations
No matter how much or little you can afford to give this year, we offer our annual Holiday Giving Guide to help you give with confidence. The guide includes:

Go To The Guide 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 >>
- Top 5 Tips For Year-End Donations
- List of Naughty and Nice Charities
- List of the Top 10 Charities That Earn The Highest % of Donations at Year-End
- Giving Facts

Go To The Guide 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 >>
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Attention Board of Director members, potential members and all who are curious!!!
Nonprofit organizations are required to have a board of directors. The trouble is that it is hard to build a strong and sustainable board. Many organizations find themselves stuck with a mediocre one.
It is for this reason that Colorado's Secretary of State Scott Gessler is promoting a five-part eLearning series entitled 'Board Education and Effectiveness.' The project is aimed at helping nonprofits train and strengthen their boards of directors."
If you are contemplating joining, are already involved or know someone that is, we urge you to pass this on, so that people have a better idea of what they are getting into and what their responsibilities are once they do.
You can access the “Fiduciary Duties of Nonprofit Directors” module at: http://www.sos.state.co.us/ pubs/charities/boardTraining. html
Click here to read the full press release.
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 >>
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 >>
Monday, November 18, 2013
Cash is King
As we always remind people after a disaster, sending supplies, if even possible, is not optimal. Although it can be less gratifying, making a cash donation is preferable. The following video, produced by InterAction, helps explain why cash is king in times of disaster.
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 >>
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 >>
Thursday, November 14, 2013
It's a bird, it's a plane...no, it's Charity Navigator!
We thank all our donors and users for their kind compliments. It is always heart warming to hear that our work is being used, appreciated and effective. Below is an inspiring note we just received:
On behalf of Charity Navigator, you are welcome and we shall!
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 >>
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Super Typhoon Haiyan Disaster Relief
Typhoon Haiyan, considered the most powerful storm to ever make landfall battered the Philippines with sustained winds close to 200 mph. The current death toll is feared to be over 10,000. The storm has caused mudslides, 30 feet high storm surges, as well as flash flooding. According to Philippine authorities, more than 12 million people are at risk due to the storm's powerful impact.
Visit our site for a list of charities responding and tips for how to ensure your donation makes a difference.
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 >>
Monday, November 11, 2013
Your Support Means the World to Us!

This is literally true because it means we can expand the universe of charities we rate. With your support, we will be able to continue our work on CN 3.0 by adding the critical third rating dimension of results reporting to our assessment. We will soon begin evaluating the impact charities are having on the people and communities they serve, whether it's around the corner or around the world.
Read More >>>
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 >>
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
New Hot Topics
Sharing Your Bounty: Providing Holiday Meals to the Less FortunateIf the holidays have inspired you to help the less fortunate, then review our tips on how to identify a well-run charity that provides holiday meals.
#GivingTuesday: A Day of Giving Back
GivingTuesday is a simple idea. All you need to do is find a way for your family, your community, your company or your organization to join in acts of giving. Then tell everyone you can about what you are doing and why it matters.
Superstorm Sandy: A Year Later
Hurricane Sandy hit the U.S. on October 29 2012, leaving millions without power, at least 100 dead and a tremendous amount of property damage. Learn which charities participated in the relief and recovery efforts.
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 >>
#GivingTuesday: A Day of Giving Back
GivingTuesday is a simple idea. All you need to do is find a way for your family, your community, your company or your organization to join in acts of giving. Then tell everyone you can about what you are doing and why it matters.
Superstorm Sandy: A Year Later
Hurricane Sandy hit the U.S. on October 29 2012, leaving millions without power, at least 100 dead and a tremendous amount of property damage. Learn which charities participated in the relief and recovery efforts.
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 >>
Saturday, November 2, 2013
November Updates and Additions
We have just updated our site with 101 newly added charity ratings and 731 charities with updated ratings.
Some interesting additions are:
Charities "on the move":
Moving Up
Some interesting additions are:
- Common Sense Media (4 stars)
- Madison Square Park Conservancy (3 stars)
- The Avon Foundation (1 star)
- Copperhead Charities (0 stars)
Charities "on the move":
Moving Up
- The Wetlands Initiative (From 3 to 4 stars)
- ACCION EAST (From 2 to 4 stars)
- Clinton Foundation (From 2 to 3 stars)
- AARP Foundation (From 4 to 3 stars)
- House Research Institute (From 3 to 1 star)
- ISOH/IMPACT (3 to 1 star)
Check out all movers 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 >>
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 >>
Friday, November 1, 2013
Hall of Shame
In this TV segment, Fox 5's Arnold Diaz inducts the Police Athletic League of New Jersey, a group on our Donor Advisory list, into the Hall of Shame.
Remember, just HANG UP if you get a call from this 'charity' or any others.
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 >>
Remember, just HANG UP if you get a call from this 'charity' or any others.
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 >>
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