NEW YORK, October 22, 2007 – American Jewish World Service is one of only two non-profit organizations in the country to receive seven consecutive four-star ratings from Charity Navigator, an independent evaluator of more than 5,300 charities.
For the third straight year, AJWS has also been has been named one of North America’s most innovative Jewish nonprofits in Slingshot, an annual guidebook compiled and published by 21/64, a division of The Andrea and Charles Bronfman Philanthropies.
“According to the World Bank, one billion people earn less than $1 a day,” the Slingshot write-up reads. “AJWS is the premier international development organization enabling Jews to help thousands in Africa, Asia and the Americas move beyond their daily struggle for food, shelter, clothing, healthcare and access to education… For those who believe in ‘grassroots community development as a lever for change,’ no Jewish organization is more successful in building the capacity of NGOs than AJWS.”
Charity Navigator bases its annual ratings on a complex formula that examines an organization’s efficiency and capacity in seven key areas and produces an overall rating of one to four stars.
“As the non-profit 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,” said Trent Stamp, President of Charity Navigator, in a letter he wrote to AJWS. “Less than one percent of the charities we’ve rated have received at least seven consecutive four-star evaluations, indicating that American Jewish World Service outperforms most charities in America in its efforts to operate in the most fiscally responsible way possible.”
Ruth W. Messinger, President of AJWS, said: “The recognition that we are getting for our work is an endorsement of the talented people serving on our board, our professional staff and our legion of volunteers. Moreover, it speaks to the importance of our purpose and the widespread support we are receiving. People believe that Judaism has an important role in improving the quality of life for everybody; our message strikes a universal chord and we are proud to have become the Jewish community’s vehicle for action.”
For More Information
If you are a member of the press and wish to obtain information about our work or speak to a member of our global team on deadline, please contact Tanyanika Davis, Director of Media Relations, at tdavis@ajws.org.
