Foundation News

On March 1st the Sierra Club Foundation was awarded the coveted 4-star rating from Charity Navigator for sound fiscal management and a proven commitment to accountability and transparency.  This is the fourth consecutive year the Foundation has earned this top distinction.  Only six percent of the charities rated by Charity Navigator have received at least four consecutive 4-star evaluations.  This “exceptional” designation differentiates us from our peers and demonstrates to the public that we are worthy of their trust.

Charity Navigator, America’s largest and most-utilized independent evaluator of charities, works to help charitable givers make intelligent giving decisions by providing information on more than five thousand charities nationwide and by evaluating their financial health.  It calculates each charity’s score based upon several broad criteria, including how much is spent per dollar raised, what percentage of funds goes to programs versus administrative and fund-raising expenses, and the organization’s long-term financial health.  It then assigns a rating from one to four, with four being the best rating.

As the nonprofit sector continues to grow at an unprecedented pace, savvy donors are demanding more accountability, transparency, and quantifiable results from the charities they choose to support with their hard-earned dollars. Receiving the highest possible rating by Charity Navigator illustrates our commitment to good governance and highlights how we pursue our mission in a fiscally responsible way.