MERS Goodwill Earns Coveted Four-Star Rating from Charity Navigator

Dec. 10, 2013 - PRLog -- ST. LOUIS – MERS Goodwill was recently awarded a four-star rating for fiscal responsibility from Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent charity evaluator. The latest rating (http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=6188#.UqYMrvRDvmc) rewards a four-star evaluation to the St. Louis-based non-profit agency for efficiently managing and growing its finances. Approximately 25 percent of the charities evaluated by Charity Navigator have received four-star evaluations, the highest ranking designated by the firm, indicating that MERS Goodwill outperforms most other charities in America.

“We are pleased to receive such a favorable review of our fiscal management practices. Donors deserve accountability, transparency and quantifiable results from the charities they chose to support,” said Dr. Lewis Chartock, Ph.D., President and CEO of MERS Goodwill. “This latest evaluation can give MERS Goodwill supporters and donors confidence knowing that our organization manages funds responsibly while we work to provide for the vocational needs of individuals facing employment barriers.”

Charity Navigator ratings are based on the financial information that a charity provides in its informational tax returns, or IRS Form 990. Financial performance categories that undergo careful scrutiny include program expenses, administrative expenses, fundraising expenses, fundraising efficiency, primary revenue growth, program expenses growth and working capital ratio.

“This ‘exceptional’ designation from Charity Navigator differentiates MERS Missouri Goodwill Industries from its peers and demonstrates to the public it is worthy of their trust,” noted Charity Navigator President and CEO Ken Berger.

Forbes, Business Week, and Kiplinger's Financial Magazine, among others, have profiled Charity Navigator’s unique method of applying data-driven analysis to the charitable sector. In addition, it is estimated that last year Charity Navigator findings influenced more than $10 billion in charitable gifts.

MERS Goodwill’s rating and other information about charitable giving are available free of charge on www.charitynavigator.org.

About MERS Goodwill

MERS Goodwill is a non-profit agency that provides for the vocational needs of individuals who have barriers to employment through disability or economic disadvantage. Annually serving nearly 50,000 individuals, the organization operates in 61 locations serving 74 counties in the bi-state area. Revenues from 42 Goodwill stores assist with funding MERS Goodwill job training and employment services. MERS Goodwill is a proud member of the United Way. For more information about MERS Goodwill or to find a Goodwill donation center near you, call 314-241-3464 or visit www.mersgoodwill.org.