Baltimore Humane Society Outperforms Most Other U.S. Charities Earns Coveted 4-Star Rating From Charity Navigator 2 Years in a Row!

August 6, 2015-Reisterstown, MD – For the second year in a row, Baltimore Humane Society has earned a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent charity evaluator.  Out of the thousands of nonprofits Charity Navigator evaluates, only one out of four earns 4 stars. And only 20% of the rated charities receive at least 2 consecutive 4-star evaluations, indicating that Baltimore Humane Society outperforms most other charities in America.

Four stars, the highest rating possible, indicate the private, independent no-kill shelter’s sound fiscal management practices and commitment to accountability and transparency.  According to Charity Navigator, the rating indicates that Baltimore Humane Society’s best practices minimize the chance of unethical activities and it consistently executes its mission in a fiscally responsible way.

Baltimore Humane Society joins a select group.  Only one out of four charities evaluated by Charity Navigator earns the highest rating.  That means the non-profit Reisterstown organization outperforms most other non-profit organizations across the nation.

Charity Navigator evaluates over 7000 of the nation’s largest charities annually, utilizing the Form 990s that charities are required to file each year with the Internal Revenue Service.  The documents are obtained directly from the IRS.  Each charity’s score is based upon several broad criteria, including how much is spent per dollar raised, what percentage of funds goes to programs vs. administrative and fund-raising expenses, and the organization’s long-term financial health.  Baltimore Humane Society’s overall rating is a 90.21 out of a possible score of 100.

According to John P. Dugan, Charity Navigator Founder and Chairman of the Board, “This exceptional designation from Charity Navigator differentiates Baltimore Humane Society from its peers and demonstrates to the public it is worthy of their trust.  The no-kill shelter’s supporters can feel confident that their hard-earned dollars are being used efficiently and responsibly when they donate to Baltimore Humane Society.”

“In the current economic environment, it’s important our donors trust that we’re using our funding wisely to accomplish our mission.  In addition to providing a temporary home, safe refuge, and care for unwanted and homeless animals,” says Wendy Goldband, Director of Marketing & Public Relations, “we also offer a low cost spay, neuter, & vaccine clinic, education outreach, and a beautiful memorial park and pet bereavement services for the community.  We are careful to ensure that each donation dollar we receive is working efficiently in order to effectively serve the community and its pets.”

Baltimore Humane Society was also just honored with a prestigious 2015 Top-Rated Award by Great Nonprofits, the leading provider of user reviews about nonprofit organizations.  While the Top-Rated Awards runs through the end of October, Baltimore Humane Society was part of the inaugural group to qualify for the year.

“We are proud of our accomplishments this year,” says Goldband, “including our Bmore Kind Pet Food Bank, Pets for Patriots program, animal visits to Stella Maris long term care residents, educational outreach, Read to the Animals, and free spay/neuter to Milford Mill residents. Staff trainers, agility courses, play yards, a sand pit, swimming pool, cat communal rooms and state of the art cat “condos” are all part of our facility.  The adoption fee at Baltimore Humane Society always includes all vaccinations, spay/neuter, and a microchip.

More-detailed information about Baltimore Humane Society’s rating is available at www.charitynavigator.org. Donations can be made to Baltimore Humane Society at http://bmorehumane.org/donate/.

About The Baltimore Humane Society:

The Baltimore Humane Society, founded in 1927 by Mrs. Elsie Seeger Barton, is an independent, non-profit, no-kill animal shelter, which offers low-cost veterinary care to the public, and a pet cemetery with grief support services. We receive no operational funding from the local or federal governments, or any national animal welfare organizations.   For more information about BHS, and how you can contribute, volunteer, adopt, or foster, please visit www.bmorehumane.org.

About Charity Navigator

Charity Navigator is the largest charity evaluator in America and its website attracts more visitors than all other charity rating groups combined. The organization helps guide intelligent giving by evaluating the Financial Health and Accountability & Transparency of roughly 5,500 mid-to-large sized charities that garner roughly 50% of all private contributions made in the USA each year (not including houses of worship). Charity Navigator accepts no advertising or donations from the organizations it evaluates, ensuring unbiased evaluations, nor does it charge the public for this trusted data. As a result, Charity Navigator, a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization itself, depends on support from individuals, corporations and foundations that believe it provides a much-needed service to America’s charitable givers. Charity Navigator, can be reached directly by telephone at(201) 818-1288, or by mail at 139 Harristown Road, Suite 201, Glen Rock, N.J., 07452.

About  GreatNonprofits

GreatNonprofits  is  the  leading  site  for  donors  and  volunteers  to  find  reviews  and  ratings of  nonprofits.  Reviews  on  the  site  influence  30  million  donation  decisions  a  year.  Visit www.greatnonprofits.org for more information.