Y of Greater Pittsburgh receives highest rating from Charity Navigator

The Y of Greater Pittsburgh today announced that Charity Navigator has recognized the local organization with the highest possible rating for sound fiscal management and fiscal accountability for the seventh consecutive year. Only 2% of charities across the nation have received a 4-star rating for at least seven consecutive years.

Charity Navigator is the largest independent and leading charity evaluator in the nation. It reviews financial health, accountability and transparency of more than 5,500 mid-to-large size charities that garner about 50% of all private contributions. Charity Navigator publishes the results on the website to help donors choose which organizations to support.

“The East Suburban Y is proud to be a part of the Y of Greater Pittsburgh, which has received the highest designation from Charity Navigator year after year,” said Kelli McIntyre, executive director of the East Suburban Family YMCA. “It is important to us that our donors, volunteers, partners and friends in the Plum, Murrysville and Monroeville areas trust that we are using their generous contributions as responsibly as possible to strengthen the community not only in the eastern suburbs, but across the Pittsburgh metropolitan area with programs that support youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.”

A four out of four star rating means that an organization adheres to good governance and other best practices that minimize the chance of unethical activities and consistently executes its mission in a fiscally responsible way.

“The Y of Greater Pittsburgh’s coveted 4-star rating puts it in a very select group of high-performing charities,” said Ken Berger, president and chief executive officer of Charity Navigator. “Out of the thousands of nonprofits Charity Navigator evaluates, only one out of four earns 4 stars – a rating that, now, with our new Accountability & Transparency (A&T) metrics, demands even greater rigor, responsibility and commitment to openness. The Y of Greater Pittsburgh’s supporters should feel much more confident that their hard-earned dollars are being used efficiently and responsibly when it acquires such a high rating.”

In the past few years, the Y of Greater Pittsburgh has focused its efforts on three initiatives: narrowing the achievement gap, which refers to students from low-income families who have lower grades, lower graduation rates and lower college-completion rates than their peers; reducing health disparities and addressing food security in the community. The following statistics highlight achievements from the 2013-2014 year:

· Y afterschool staff invested more than 675,000 hours on reading time, homework help, tutoring and encouragement.

· Teens who participated in the Y’s Westinghouse Lighthouse program have had a 100% graduation rate over the last two years.

· The Y invested more than $420,000 in community health through membership subsidies.

· 8 YMCA gardens yielded more than 1,310 lbs of produce to share with the community.

· The Y of Greater Pittsburgh served more than 91,000 health meals through Community dining.

· Food pantries provided weekly groceries for more than 1,500 families and individuals.

· Local volunteers have contributed more than 92,093 hours of service to the community.

For more information about the Y of Greater Pittsburgh’s community efforts or to receive a copy of this year’s community report, please contact Deb Moore Ellsworth by phone at (412) 227-6431 or by email at dmoore@ymcapgh.org.

About the Y

The Y is the nation’s leading nonprofit committed to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The Y of Greater Pittsburgh is a 501c(3) charitable organization dedicated to nurturing the potential of every youth and teen, improving the nation’s health and well-being and providing opportunities to give back and support neighbors. Charity Navigator has honored the Y of Greater Pittsburgh with the highest rating for sound fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency for seven consecutive years. Programs offered by the Y of Greater Pittsburgh serve more than 90,000 different people each year and include after-school care and childcare, outdoor camping, community outreach, sports, health and fitness, youth counseling and senior assistance. Every day, the Y works side by side with its neighbors to ensure that everyone regardless of age, income or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.