United Way of the Coastal Empire is proud to announce that for the first time they have been awarded a Four-Star rating by Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent evaluator of charitable organizations.

Receiving four out of a possible four stars indicates that the United Way excels, as compared to other charities in the U.S., in successfully managing the finances of its organization in an efficient and effective manner. This high rating is an exceptional achievement, especially given the economic challenges many charities have had to face in the last year.

“Applause and thanks go to donors, volunteers and staff who are unified in a deep commitment to serve our community. They all work very hard to ensure that each dollar contributed is wisely invested in the efforts to make life better in our community,” said United Way’s Board Chair Mike Kemp, senior vice president, regional trust manager of Synovus Trust Company.

“We are pleased to be ranked among the nation’s top charities,” said Gregg Schroeder, president and CEO of United Way of the Coastal Empire. “We take this ranking very seriously and will continue to work diligently to earn the trust and goodwill of the community we serve.”

United Way’s overall four star rating was based on organizational efficiency and organizational capacity.

Charity Navigator determines organizational efficiency by evaluating fundraising efficiency, fundraising expenses, program expenses and administrative costs. United Way received an overall efficiency rating of 38.76 out of a possible 40 for a four star efficiency rating.

Charity Navigator determines organizational capacity by examining primary revenue growth, program expenses growth and working capital ratio. United way received an overall capacity rating of 22.35 out of 30 for a four star capacity rating.