JCC Association Earns Top Rating

NEW YORK -- For the second consecutive year, Charity Navigator recognized the JCC Association for its fundraising practices. The continental umbrella organization for the JCC Movement earned the group’s highest four-star rating for fiscal 2005, which was the most recent data available. Charity Navigator is the nation’s largest independent evaluator and assesses 5,000 charitable organizations annually to determine how much each spends to raise money and what percentage of the dollars raised are allocated to programs and services.

Receiving four out of a possible four stars indicates that the organization excels, as compared to other charities in America, in successfully managing the finances of the organization in an efficient and effective manner, according to the Charity Navigator’s Web site.

For comparison purposes, charities are assigned to categories based on the purposes for which they raise money. JCC Association is ranked among multipurpose human services organizations that rely on support from public sources and individuals. Charity Navigator reviews federal tax returns and other public financial data to derive its ratings, designed to assist individual donors in learning about a charity’s fiscal practices before making philanthropic choices. The service does not rate lobbying groups, family foundations and charities largely dependent on private foundations.

According to Charity Navigator’s analysis, JCC Association used nearly 88 percent of its fiscal year 2005 income for programs and services. Only four percent of monies raised were spent on fundraising expenditures. Since Charity Navigator’s review a year ago, JCC Association increased its revenue by more than six percent, while spending on programs and services grew by more than 10 percent.

“I am proud that once again JCC Association has received the highest ranking possible from Charity Navigator,” says JCC Association Chairman Alan Solow. “Recognition from this independent source verifies to our supporters that their charitable contributions and grants are carefully administered. As the umbrella organization for JCCs throughout the continent, we are proud to set an example of fiscal responsibility that reflects the values of the JCC Movement.”