Newswise — DETROIT, July 12, 2016 -- Recognizing the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, Inc’s (AARDA) strong financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency, Charity Navigator has awarded the organization its highest, 4-star rating for the seventh time in the last eight years.
Charity Navigator is America’s largest independent charity evaluator that millions of Americans look to when choosing charities to support. Its coveted “exceptional” designation means AARDA “exceeds industry standards and outperforms most charities in its cause.” This top distinction was earned by AARDA because of its transparency, efficiency, the quality of its programs and services sustained over time and its high level of commitment to being accountable and transparent.
“At AARDA, we’re proud and honored to receive this exceptional distinction from one of the country’s most authoritative evaluators of charities,” said Virginia T. Ladd, Founder and Executive Director, AARDA, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. “With this 4-star rating, AARDA is part of an exclusive club of the best run, most ethical charities in the country – something we strive hard each and every day to achieve in order to be worthy of our donors and supporters, as well as the patients we serve.”
Since 2002, using objective analysis, Charity Navigator has awarded only the most fiscally responsible organizations a 4-star rating. In 2011, Charity Navigator added 17 metrics, focused on governance and ethical practices as well as measures of openness, to its ratings methodology. These Accountability & Transparency metrics, which account for 50 percent of a charity’s overall rating, reveal which charities operate in accordance with industry best practices and whether they are open with their donors and stakeholders. Charity Navigator recently upgraded its methodology for rating each charity’s financial health with CN 2.1, enhancements that further substantiate the financial health of 4-star charities.
“AARDA’s exceptional 4-star rating sets it apart from its peers and demonstrates its trustworthiness to the public,” according to Michael Thatcher, President and CEO of Charity Navigator. “Only a quarter of charities rated by Charity Navigator receive the distinction of our 4-star rating. This adds AARDA to a preeminent group of charities working to overcome the world’s most pressing challenges. Based on its 4-star rating, people can trust that their donations are going to a financially responsible and ethical charity when they decide to support AARDA.”
About Autoimmune DiseasesThere are more than 100 known autoimmune diseases, including psoriasis, Graves’ disease, Sjogren’s syndrome, Type 1 diabetes, relapsing polychondritis, myasthenia gravis, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease and lupus. The underlying cause of all of these diseases is autoimmunity which disproportionately affects women. Of the 50 million Americans living and coping with ADs, more than 75 percent are women. Given the genetic component, autoimmune diseases can run in families. AD is one of the top 10 leading causes of death of women under the age of 65 and is responsible for more than $100 billion in direct health care costs annually.
About Charity NavigatorCharity 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.
About American Autoimmune Related Diseases AssociationCelebrating its 25th anniversary, American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA) is the nation's only non-profit organization dedicated to bringing a national focus to autoimmunity as a category of disease and a major women's health issue, and promoting a collaborative research effort in order to find better treatments and a cure for all autoimmune diseases. For more information, please visit www.aarda.org.
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CONTACT: Cindy Carway/Stephanie HornbackCarway Communications, Inc.212-378-2020[email protected]@CarwayComms
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