NMHA WINS "A+" PHILANTHROPY RATING
American Institute of Philanthropy Gives NMHA Best Grade
(Alexandria, Va., April 23, 1998) The National Mental Health Association (NMHA) earned an A+ rating from the American Institute of Philanthropy (AIP), a non-profit charity watchdog and information service. AIP this week released its spring 1998 report on charitable organizations' financial efficiency, accountability and governance.
"We could not be more pleased that AIP recognized our commitment to improving the lives of all people with mental illnesses," said Michael Faenza, NMHA President and CEO. "We make every effort to make sure the funds we raise are put to good programmatic use."
NMHA won AIP's "A+" rating because it spends 92 cents of every dollar gift on meeting its education and advocacy mission. In comparison, AIP says it is "acceptable" for most organizations to spend 60 percent or greater of their income on charitable programs.
AIP's goal is to help donors make more informed giving decisions. It informs the public of wasteful or unethical practices of non-profits and gives recognition to highly effective and ethical charities, such as NMHA. The association also meets standards set by the National Charities Information Bureau.
The National Mental Health Association is the nation's oldest mental health consumer advocacy organization. NMHA has 330 affiliates with 416,000 volunteers serving two million Americans. Key NMHA programs include:
-- A Mental Health Information Center offering free brochures and referrals to the public
-- Educational campaigns on anxiety, clinical depression, and children's mental health
-- Advocacy trainings in the states
-- Efforts to empower mental health consumers.
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