The United Way of Western Connecticut's sound fiscal management practices and commitment to accountability and transparency have earned it a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, the nation's largest independent charity evaluator. The United Way earned this top distinction because it uses donor dollars to advance its mission in a fiscally responsible way.
Charity Navigator says the coveted 4-star rating puts The United Way in a very select group of high-performing charities. Thousands of nonprofits are evaluated by Charity Navigator, and only one out of four earns 4 stars.
In 2011, Charity Navigator added 17 metrics, focused on governance and ethical practices as well as measures of openness, to its ratings methodology. These metrics, which account for 50 percent of a charity’s overall rating, reveal which charities have “best practices” that minimize the chance of unethical activities and whether they freely share basic information about their organization with their donors and other stakeholders.
United Way CEO Kim Morgan says it's important that donors trust they're using funding wisely to improve lives by mobilizing caring communities to solve complex problems.
United Way Board of Directors chairwoman Cindy Merkle says they have a responsibility to respect donors' support by dedicating their dollars in the most impactful and transparent manner in greater Danbury, greater New Milford and the City of Stamford.
