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Charity Navigator: Habitat Spartanburg Among Highest Performers in State, U.S.

Spartanburg, S.C. – Habitat for Humanity of Spartanburg’s strong financial health and commitment to transparency and accountability have earned it a 4-Star rating from Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent charity evaluator. This is the third consecutive year that Habitat Spartanburg has earned the top distinction.

Habitat Spartanburg received a score of 98.23 – on a 100-point scoring matrix – making the nonprofit among the top performing Habitat affiliates in the nation. Habitat Spartanburg joins four other Habitat affiliates nationwide that also earned a 98.23. Only three affiliates earned a higher score. Habitat Spartanburg is one of only 33 charities in South Carolina to earn the 4-Star rating.

“Habitat for Humanity of Spartanburg’s third consecutive 4-Star rating sets it apart from its peers and demonstrates its trustworthiness to the public,” according to Michael Thatcher, President and CEO of Charity Navigator. “Only a margin of charities rated by Charity Navigator receive the distinction of having three consecutive 4-Star ratings. This adds Habitat Spartanburg to a preeminent group of charities working to overcome our world’s most pressing challenges. Based on this distinction, people can trust that their donations are going to a financially responsible and ethical charity when they decide to support Habitat Spartanburg.”

“Habitat for Humanity of Spartanburg is honored to be recognized as a continuing 4-Star Charity by Charity Navigator, and to be among the highest scoring Habitat for Humanity affiliates in the United States,” said Lee Close, Executive Director of Habitat Spartanburg. “In these days when people have concerns surrounding the credibility of many institutions, it is enormously valuable to have an independent, third party agency validating the care with which we operate and the care with which we utilize funds donated by individuals, corporations, faith institutions, and foundations. At Habitat Spartanburg we take our responsibility very seriously and are extremely grateful to receive this recognition.”

Since 2002, using objective analysis, Charity Navigator has awarded only the most fiscally responsible organizations a 4-Star Rating. In 2011, Charity Navigator added 17 metrics, focused on governance and ethical practices as well as measures of openness, to its ratings methodology. These Accountability and Transparency metrics, which account for 50 percent of a charity’s overall rating, reveal which charities operate in accordance with industry best practices and whether they are open with their donors and stakeholders. In 2016, Charity Navigator upgraded its methodology for rating each charity’s financial health with “Charity Navigator 2.1” to further substantiate the financial health of its 4-Star rated charities.

Charity Navigator reviews all nonprofit organizations that have more than $1 million in net revenue for two consecutive years, have been in operation for seven years or more and have at least $500,000 in public support, which includes grants and corporate gifts. Charity Navigator uses various metrics to determine scoring including a review of the organization’s financial health and sustainability and accountability and transparency metrics. To use Charity Navigator’s free searchable database, visit www.charitynavigator.org.