Financial Health of Several Pink Ribbon Charities Is Less-Than-Rosy
Charity Watchdog Says Several Well-Known Breast Cancer Non-Profits Operate Inefficiently
MAHWAH, N.J., September 13, 2007 – According to Charity Navigator, the nation's largest and most-utilized evaluator of charities, not all of the nation’s 21 largest breast cancer charities are operating efficiently.
The 21 organizations rated by Charity Navigator collectively raise more than $1 billion annually in contributions to fight breast cancer. But Charity Navigator’s research shows that several of the organizations are not managing expenses and delivering aid in the most efficient manner. In fact, two of the organizations – Strang Cancer Prevention Center and Walker Cancer Research Institute – received a “poor” one-star rating. The five top-rated organizations – Living Beyond Breast Cancer, National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc., Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Susan G. Komen for the Cure and Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization – each received an “exceptional” four-star rating. The complete list of charities, with accompanying financial data and ratings, is accessible online: www.charitynavigator.org/breastcancer.
“During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, consumers are overwhelmed with opportunities to purchase products that support breast cancer charities.” said Sandra Miniutti, Charity Navigator’s vice president, marketing. “But if you really want your consumer purchases to make a philanthropic impact, then you need to do your homework and not simply buy the item because it is emblazoned with a pink ribbon. If you can’t discern exactly how much of your purchase will end up in the charity’s coffers, and if you're not willing to make a direct contribution to the affiliated charity, then don't buy the product. Instead write a check to a well-run breast cancer charity.”
Charity Navigator’s ratings are accessible at no charge at www.charitynavigator.org, and catalog the financial health of over 5,300 of America’s charities. Using publicly available tax returns (Forms 990) filed with the Internal Revenue Service, the Charity Navigator rating system bases its evaluations in two broad areas -- organizational efficiency and organizational capacity. Based on how the charity rates in each of the two areas, it is assigned an overall rating, ranging from zero to four stars. To help donors avoid becoming victims of mailing-list appeals, each assessment of a charity's finances is accompanied by a review of its commitment to keeping donors' personal information confidential. The Charity Navigator website offers complementary tools and features to help donors make informed choices about where their contributions will be used most effectively.
About Charity Navigator:
Charity Navigator is the largest charity evaluator in America and its website attracts more visitors than all other charity rating groups combined. The organization guides intelligent giving by evaluating the financial health of over 5,300 charities. Charity Navigator is a 501 (c)(3) organization which accepts no advertising or donations from the organizations it evaluates, ensuring unbiased evaluations. Charity Navigator, www.charitynavigator.org, can be reached directly by telephone at (201) 818-1288, or by mail at 1200 MacArthur Blvd, 2nd Floor, Mahwah, N.J., 07430.
