WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, April 3, 2017 —
American Humane, the country’s first national humane organization, which for 140 years has been dedicated to the protection of animals, has been named a “Top-Rated Charity” with an “A” rating by the American Institute of Philanthropy’s CharityWatch. With this honor, American Humane joins only a select few of the more than 600 charities monitored by the service. Groups included on the Top-Rated list generally spend 75 percent or more of their budgets on programs, spend $25 or less to raise $100 in public support, do not hold excessive assets in reserve, and receive “open-book” status for disclosure of basic financial information and documents. Eighty-six cents of every dollar raised by American Humane goes directly into programs – the highest ratio of any national humane organization.
“We are honored to be named a Top-Rated Charity with an ‘A’ rating by this leading philanthropic information service,” said American Humane president and CEO Dr. Robin Ganzert. “Today’s knowledgeable donors are increasingly demanding innovation, efficiency, transparency and accountability to ensure that nonprofit organizations are not only delivering vital, lifesaving services but acting as good stewards of precious philanthropic dollars.”
This recognition is the latest in a long list of top honors for the organization. In 2016 American Humane was named the “Outstanding Animal Welfare Organization of the Year” by the Pet Philanthropy Circle and earned the “Top-Rated Charity” seal from Great Nonprofits. GuideStar USA, Inc. awarded American Humane the Gold Level for demonstrating its deep commitment to nonprofit transparency and accountability. The organization also earned the Independent Charities Seal of Excellence, awarded to the members of Independent Charities of America and Local Independent Charities of America that have, upon rigorous independent review, been able to certify, document, and demonstrate on an annual basis that they meet the highest standards of public accountability, program effectiveness, and cost effectiveness. These standards include those required by the U.S.
Government for inclusion in the Combined Federal Campaign, probably the most exclusive fund drive in the world. Of the 1,000,000 charities operating in the United States today, it is estimated that fewer than 50,000, or 5 percent, meet or exceed these standards, and, of those, fewer than 2,000 have been awarded this Seal. Finally,
American Humane meets all of the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance’s 20 Standards for
Charity Accountability.
For 140 years, American Humane has been first to serve in the protection of the nation’s most vulnerable, creating landmark programs that help ensure the humane treatment of some 1 billion animals each year. American Humane rescues thousands of animals caught in disasters and large-scale cruelty cases, and oversees the welfare of animals on farm and ranches, in film and television productions, and in the world’s zoos and aquariums. In addition, American Humane works to bring home and reunite military dogs with their handlers and unleash the power of animal therapy to help veterans, as well as children with cancer.
For more information about CharityWatch’s methodology and to see the full list of “Top-Rated Charities,” please visit http://www.charitywatch.org/toprated.html.
About American Humane
American Humane is the country’s first national humane organization, founded in 1877. For more information, please visit www.americanhumane.org.
