Give Kids The World Recognized as Highest Rated Charity in America

Non-Profit “Storybook” Resort for Children with Life-Threatening Illnesses Named as Highest Rated Charity in America Amongst Thousands

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (February 13, 2012) – Give Kids The World Village (GKTW), a non-profit “storybook” resort for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families, has been recognized as the highest rated charity in America by personal finance website MainStreet and also reported by MSN Money. The news website based its analysis on the evaluations of thousands of national charities by Charity Navigator, America’s leading independent charity evaluator.  Awarded a perfect four star rating for its fiscal performance and operational responsibility for six consecutive years, GKTW earned a Charity Navigator score of 69.42 out of 70 possible points. This was the highest of all charities analyzed for the article.

MainStreet focused its analysis on charities that received the coveted four-star rating, filtering out organizations that operate only locally and those that work mainly to collect and distribute funds to other charitable organizations.  GKTW outranked more than 5,500 charities to be named as the highest rated charity in America.

“We are incredibly honored to be recognized as the highest rated charity America,” said GKTW President Pam Landwirth. “Our exceptional rating with Charity Navigator assures donors that Give Kids The World is a good steward of their donation, using it to provide magical memories for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.”

This prestigious honor follows on the heels of a recent recognition by Charity Navigator naming Give Kids The World as the  highest rated charity in the category of Patient and Family Support in their 2012 Holiday Giving Guide. 

“Give Kids The World consistently executes its mission in a fiscally responsible way, and outperforms most other charities in America,” wrote Charity Navigator President & CEO Ken Berger in a June 2011 letter to the organization. “This ‘exceptional’ designation from Charity Navigator differentiates Give Kids The World from its peers and demonstrates to the public it is worthy of its trust.”

Financial health, transparency, operational efficiency and the percentage of budget spent on programs related to the charity’s mission were all criteria that Charity Navigator considered before awarding Give Kids The World with the “exceptional” rating.  For each dollar spent by the charity in fiscal year 2010, approximately 93 cents went directly towards the organization’s mission. Charity Navigator also recognized Give Kids The World for its exceptional fundraising efficiency, spending only 5 cents to raise $1 in charitable contributions. 

The 10 highest rated national charities in 2011 based on the MainStreet analysis are: 1) 1) Give Kids The World, 2) Patient Advocate Foundation, 3) Navy SEAL Foundation, 4) Homes for Our Troops, 5) Special Operations Warrior Foundation, 6) Teach For America, 7) Environmental Law & Policy Center, 8) National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, 9) Spondylitis Association of America and 10) Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund.

###

About Give Kids The World
Give Kids The World Village (GKTW) is a 70-acre, non-profit resort in Central Florida that creates magical memories for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. GKTW provides accommodations at its whimsical resort, donated attractions tickets, meals and more for a weeklong, cost-free fantasy vacation. With the help of many generous individuals, corporations and partnering wish-granting organizations, Give Kids The World has welcomed more than 115,000 families from all 50 states and over 70 countries.. For more information about GKTW and its mission, visit givekidstheworld.org.

Give Kids The World Media
Colette Krahenbuhl
colettek@gktw.org
(407) 396-1114 ext 4259