Step Up receives 4-star rating from Charity Navigator for 15th year

Step Up For Students recently received the highest honor from Charity Navigator, the non-profit that evaluates more than a million charitable organizations in the United States.

The four-star rating has been an annual achievement for Step Up in each of the last 15 years, since Step Up was first evaluated by Charity Navigator.

“Earning this rating is vitally important to our cause,” Step Up President Doug Tuthill said. “We are extremely passionate about what we do and work incredibly hard to change the lives of Florida’s most vulnerable children. Our mission continues because of the trust of our donors.”

Charity Navigator President and CEO Michael Thatcher wrote in a letter to Tuthill that the four-star rating was based on Step Up “demonstrating strong financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency.”

“This is our highest possible rating and indicates that your organization adheres to sector best practices and executes its mission in a financially efficient way,” Thatcher wrote. “Attaining a four-star rating verifies that Step Up For Students exceeds industry standards and outperforms most charities in your area of work. This exceptional designation from Charity Navigator sets Step Up For Students apart from its peers and demonstrates to the public its trustworthiness.”

Thatcher wrote that donors are looking for accountability and transparency in nonprofits. That’s why his organization evaluates more than 1.5 million nonprofits in America.

“Charity Navigator aims to accentuate the work of efficient and transparent organizations,” Thatcher wrote. “The intent of our work is to provide donors with essential information to give them greater confidence in both the charitable decisions that they make and the nonprofit sector.”

Step Up received perfect score on several measures that go into the four-star rating, among them Governance, Transparency, Program Expenses, Fundraising Efficiency.

“The Charity Navigator rating underscores that when donors invest in Step Up, they are assured their contributions will be maximized to the fullest potential,” Tuthill said.

Roger Mooney, communications, manager, can be reached at [email protected].