Charity Navigator Awards Cradles to Crayons Coveted 4-Star Rating 8 Years in a Row

CHICAGO - April 14, 2016 - PRLog -- Cradles to Crayons, a national non-profit with operations in Boston, Philadelphia, and Chicago today announced that its sound fiscal management practices and commitment to accountability and transparency have earned it a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator for the 8th consecutive year. Only 2% of the more than 8,000 United States organizations rated by the nation's largest independent charity evaluator achieve that mark.

A 4-star rating is considered "exceptional" by Charity Navigator, exemplifying organizations that "exceed industry standards and outperform most charities." Their rating system has become a trusted standard that millions of donors rely upon to verify that their money is being handled by an organization efficiently and effectively. Donors know their funding is being used to fulfill an organizations' mission-and in Cradles to Crayons' case that is to provide as many children as possible with the everyday essentials they need.

"We congratulate Cradles to Crayons on achieving our coveted 4-star rating for sound fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency," says Michael Thatcher, President and CEO, Charity Navigator. "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.... This "exceptional" designation differentiates Cradles to Crayons from its peers and demonstrates to the public it is worthy of their trust."

"It is an honor to be recognized for the 8th year in a row by Charity Navigator," said Lynn Margherio, CEO and Founder of Cradles to Crayons. "This 4-star rating represents our complete commitment to accountability, transparency, and sound fiscal management. We are pleased to be part of this select group of exemplary nonprofits."

Working through its network of hundreds of Service Partners, and supported by tens of thousands of volunteers, Cradles to Crayons annually serves more than 170,000 children living in low-income and homeless situations.

Read more about this 4-star rating from Charity Navigator (http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summ...).

About Cradles to Crayons

Cradles to Crayons provides children from birth through age 12 who live in homeless or low-income situations with the essential items they need to thrive-at home, at school, and at play. Cradles to Crayons supplies these items free of charge by engaging and connecting communities that have with communities that need, collecting new and like-new children's items through grassroots community drives and corporate donations.

Cradles to Crayons is a national, non-profit organization headquartered in Boston, MA with locations in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Chicago, Illinois. Through our signature Everyday Essentials program and seasonal initiatives-Gear Up for Winter, Gear Up for Baby, and Ready for School-donations of children's products are sorted, inspected, and packaged by volunteers at our warehouses, called The Giving Factory^®. Our "KidPacks^®," backpacks and other items are then distributed through a collaborative network of social service agencies and school partners. For additional information, visit www.cradlestocrayons.org.

About Charity Navigator

Charity Navigator, www.charitynavigator.org, is the largest charity evaluator in America and its website attracts more visitors than all other charity rating groups combined. The organization helps guide intelligent giving by evaluating the Financial Health and Accountability & Transparency of more than 8,000 charities. Charity Navigator accepts no advertising or donations from the organizations it evaluates, ensuring unbiased evaluations, nor does it charge the public for this trusted data. As a result, Charity Navigator, a 501 (c) (3) public charity itself, depends on support from individuals, corporations and foundations that believe it provides a much-needed service to America's charitable givers. Charity Navigator, can be reached directly by telephone at (201) 818-1288, or by mail at 139 Harristown Road, Suite 101, Glen Rock, N.J., 07452.