For the second year in a row, the Wildlife Center of Virginia has received the coveted four-star rating for sound fiscal management from Charity Navigator, the top rating provided by the nation’s premier independent evaluator of charitable organizations.  

 Charity Navigator annually reviews the financial statements of thousands of non-profit organizations nationwide, evaluating factors such as fundraising efficiency, the percentage of funds spent on programs [rather than administration or fundraising], and organizational capacity.   The Wildlife Center is one of only three area charities to receive this four-star rating.

 Only 19 percent of the charities across the nation evaluated by Charity Navigator have received at least two consecutive four-star evaluations, “indicating that Wildlife Center of Virginia consistently executes its mission in a fiscally responsible way, and outperforms most other charities in America,” according to Ken Berger, President and Chief Executive Officer of Charity Navigator.  “This ‘exceptional’ designation from Charity Navigator differentiates Wildlife Center of Virginia from its peers and demonstrates to the public it is worthy of their trust.

“As the nonprofit sector continues to grow at an unprecedented pace, savvy donors are demanding more accountability, transparency and quantifiable results from the charities they choose to support with their hard-earned dollars,” Berger said.  “In this competitive philanthropic marketplace, Charity Navigator, America’s premier charity evaluator, highlights the fine work of efficient charities … and provides donors with essential information needed to give them greater confidence in the charitable choices they make.”

The Wildlife Center is a non-profit organization, not a government agency.  “Donations from caring individuals form the backbone of the Center’s finances and fund the majority of our work on behalf of wildlife and the environment.  Particularly in tight economic times, donors want assurance that those donations – their charitable investments – are being well-spent,” Wildlife Center President and Co-Founder Ed Clark said.  “One of the Wildlife Center’s priorities during the last 27 years has been wise and effective use of our financial resources – we work hard to accomplish as much as possible with limited resources. 
      

 “When we receive a contribution, we never forget that it does not become our money.  It is money that is entrusted to us for the advancement of our mission,” Clark continued.  “That trust conveys a serious responsibility.  This superlative rating from Charity Navigator affirms that we are using the support we receive wisely and prudently, and we are proud of this recognition.” 

Founded in 2001, Charity Navigator has been profiled by The New York Times, National Public Radio, and The Chronicle of Philanthropy; it is estimated that Charity Navigator helped influence more than $10 billion in charitable gifts last year.  Charity Navigator ratings are available online at http://www.charitynavigator.org at no cost to the public.
      

Founded in November 1982 in a horse stable in Waynesboro, the Wildlife Center has transformed wildlife veterinary medicine.  During its 27-year history, the Wildlife Center has:

* Treated more than 52,000 wild animals;

* Presented compelling, life-changing programs to more than 1.4 million children and adults and introduced these audiences to feathered, furred, and scaled representatives of Virginia’s wildlife; and

* Trained a generation of wildlife health-care professionals across the United States and around the world. 

 In 2007, the Wildlife Center received the National Conservation Achievement Award as the Conservation Organization of the Year from the National Wildlife Federation.