CharityWatch

Civic and Social OrganizationsIllinois, United States2-10 Employees

CharityWatch is a charity watchdog and rating organization. We work with investigative journalists to uncover and report on wrongdoing in the nonprofit sector by conducting in-depth analyses of the audited financial statements, tax forms, fundraising contracts, & other reporting of nonprofits, issuing charity ratings on an "A+" to "F" scale. 

Unlike most other online sources of charity data that function as quasi-trade associations for charities, CharityWatch fiercely advocates for the interests of the donating public. Our ratings are not derived from algorithms or other largely automated systems that take the reporting of charities at face value without adequate analysis. There is no way for charities to "game" the CharityWatch rating system by uploading documents to our website or by simply reporting the same financial activities in different boxes on their tax forms in an attempt to garner favorable ratings. CharityWatch does not charge charities to be rated or for the right to promote their ratings. Over 95% of our support comes from small, individual donations. This helps us to maintain the independence we need to speak openly and critically of unethical practices at charities when we see them without concern for special interests cutting our funding. 

CharityWatch also works to highlight highly efficient nonprofits by publishing a list of our Top-Rated charities on charitywatch.org/top-rated-charities. Groups included on our Top-Rated list generally spend 75% or more of their cash budgets on programs; spend $25 or less to raise each $100 of cash support; do not hold excessive assets in reserve (equal to an adjusted 3 years or more of a charity's annual cash spending); & meet CharityWatch's governance & transparency benchmarks. 

Along with our "A+" to "F" ratings, CharityWatch also publishes lists of High Asset Charities & Top Compensation Packages of charity executives. Our ratings include detailed Analysts' Notes to help donors stay informed.

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