Charity Navigator
Meets Standards
Standards For Charity Accountability
Governance
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Board Oversight
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Board Size
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Board Meetings
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Board Compensation
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Conflict of Interest
Measuring Effectiveness
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Effectiveness Policy
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Effectiveness Report
Finances
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Program Expenses
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Fundraising Expenses
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Accumulating Funds
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Audit Report
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Detailed Expense Breakdown
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Accurate Expense Reporting
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Budget Plan
Fundraising & Info
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Truthful Materials
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Annual Report
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Website Disclosures
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Donor Privacy
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Cause Marketing Disclosures
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Complaints
Charity Navigator meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Government Action
In March 2026, the State of Alaska filed a lawsuit against Charity Navigator and five other organizations that takes issue with the organizations engaging in fundraising on behalf of other charities through their respective websites. They allege, in part, that Charity Navigator and five other organizations broke the law by not having the subject charities’ consent before creating fundraising pages for them and potentially misleading donors by giving the impression that charities created or controlled those fundraising pages, when they did not.
The lawsuit (Case No. 3AN-26-CI) is currently ongoing, with no settlement or final judgment.
In response Charity Navigator states:
"We are aware of BBB Wise Giving Alliance’s Government Action note regarding Charity Navigator. Charity Navigator believes that it operates in compliance with the law and is committed to working through the legal process to resolve this matter. Charity Navigator remains committed to helping donors make informed giving decisions by providing trusted ratings, research, and nonprofit information."
Stated Purpose:
"to make impactful giving easier for all."
Year, State Incorporated:
2000, NJ
Charity Navigator aims to empower donors by providing them free access to data, tools, and resources to guide philanthropic decision-making. The website on which the ratings are hosted also provide nonprofits with a platform to raise awareness and funds. The organization reports that its database has more than 1.6 million U.S. registered nonprofits, with over 208,000 nonprofits evaluated through the Encompass Rating System. The Encompass Rating System, launched in July 2020, provides donors with evaluations of charity performance via four beacons: finance and accountability, impact and results, leadership and adaptability, and culture and community. Charity Navigator’s ratings inform the curation of lists of charities addressing causes that people care about. The organization reports that between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023, site visitors donated more than $38,000,000 to over 26,000 nonprofits through Charity Navigator’s Giving Basket.
For the year ended June 30, 2023, Charity Navigator's program expenses were:
| Charity ratings | $7,064,291 |
| Total Program Expenses | $7,064,291 |
Chief Executive
Michael Thatcher, President and Chief Executive Officer
Compensation*
$337,160
Chair of the Board
Hope Lyons
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Consultant
Board Size
14
Paid Staff Size
36
*2022 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Invitations to fund raising events, Grant proposals, Internet, Planned giving arrangements, Cryptocurrency
Fundraising costs were 14% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $5,996,196, are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)
This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.
The following information is based on Charity Navigator's audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2023.
Source of Funds
| Contributions and support | $5,478,989 |
| In-kind contributions | $517,207 |
| Realized and unrealized gains on investments | $507,813 |
| Dividends and interest | $139,002 |
| Data sale | $13,672 |
| Total Income | $6,656,683 |
Programs: 80% Fundraising: 10% Administrative: 11%
| Total Income | $6,656,683 |
| Total expenses: | $8,861,268 |
| Program expenses | $7,064,291 |
| Fundraising expenses | $844,390 |
| Administrative expenses | $952,587 |
| Other expenses | $0 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses | $-2,204,585 |
| Beginning Net Assets | $10,982,730 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets | $0 |
| Ending Net Assets | $8,778,145 |
| Total Liabilities | $742,936 |
| Total Assets | $9,521,081 |
Note: According to Charity Navigator's audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2023, the organization received in-kind contributions totaling $517,207 in the form of donated advertising ($497,707), donated goods ($10,000), and donated professional services ($9,500).
An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus.
This report is not to be used for fundraising or promotional purposes.
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Review in Progress
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Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance