MERS/Goodwill Awarded Third Consecutive Top Rating from Charity Navigator

    ST. LOUIS, MO, January 15, 2016 /24-7PressRelease/ -- For the third consecutive year, MERS/Goodwill is honored to receive the coveted four-star rating from Charity Navigator, America's leading independent charity evaluator. The latest rating reflects the St. Louis-based nonprofit agency's adherence to sound fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency. Only 14 percent of the charities rated by Charity Navigator have received at least three consecutive four-star evaluations, indicating that MERS/Goodwill outperforms most other charities in America.

Since 2005, MERS/Goodwill has received nine four-star ratings and two three-star ratings. Charity Navigator ratings are based on the financial information that a charity provides in its informational tax returns, or IRS Form 990. Financial performance categories that undergo careful scrutiny include program expenses, administrative expenses, fundraising expenses and fundraising efficiency, primary revenue growth, program expenses growth and working capital ratio.
"Receiving Charity Navigator's highest designated ranking for the third consecutive year is a remarkable honor," said David Kutchback, interim president and CEO of MERS/Goodwill. "Donors and supporters can be assured that their contributions power our mission - to assist individuals in overcoming employment and educational barriers."
Forbes, Business Week, and Kiplinger's Financial Magazine, among others, have profiled Charity Navigator's unique method of applying data-driven analysis to the charitable sector. It is estimated that last year Charity Navigator findings influenced more than $10 billion in charitable gifts.
"Our goal in all of this is to provide donors with essential information needed to give them greater confidence in the charitable choices they make," noted Michael Thatcher, president and CEO of Charity Navigator.
MERS/Goodwill's rating and other information about charitable giving are available free of charge on http://www.charitynavigator.org.

About MERS/Goodwill
MERS/Goodwill is a nonprofit agency that provides for the vocational needs of individuals who have barriers to employment through disability or economic disadvantage. Annually serving more than 60,000 individuals, the organization operates in 75 locations serving 74 counties in the bi-state area. Revenues from 42 Goodwill stores assist with funding MERS/Goodwill job training and employment services. MERS/Goodwill is a proud member of the United Way. For more information about MERS/Goodwill or to find a Goodwill donation center near you, call 314-241-3464 or visit http://www.mersgoodwill.org.

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