Winter 2010 - PAWS Chicago

PAWS Chicago Receives 4-Star
Rating Eight Years in a Row
For eight consecutive years Charity Navigator, the nation’s premier independent
charity evaluator, has awarded PAWS Chicago with a perfect 4 out of 4 stars – an
outstanding achievement matched by only 1% of more than 5,500 charities that
Charity Navigator tracks and evaluates
By Matthew Berns
Charity Navigator rates charities
by evaluating both their organizational
efficiency and operational capacity. While
there are many factors to the ratings, the
most important to their rankings are program
expenses, administrative expenses,
fundraising efficiency, yearly revenue
growth, and working capital.
The results of these are then compiled
to rate charities from 1 to 4 stars. Charity
Navigator gives PAWS Chicago its highest
possible rating in these categories, meaning
that PAWS Chicago consistently ranks
as one of the most efficient charities in the
country in its use of donations, and that it
also has a solid and solvent plan for future
expansion. Thanks to sound strategic and
financial planning, as well as a large base
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of highly dedicated volunteers who contribute
in numerous ways, PAWS Chicago
spends almost all of the organization’s income
directly on the goal of building a No
Kill Chicago, with over 92 percent of
donor funds going directly to furthering
this mission and not tied up in nonprogram
related expenses.
When asked what common factors are
found in 4-star charities, Sandra Miniutti,
V.P. of marketing at Charity Navigator
replied, “A charity has to be in top fiscal
shape to earn a 4-star rating. The charity
needs to spend the bulk of its spending
on its mission, [and] must show financial
stability. We also want to see that the
charity has a rainy day fund to fall back
on when times get tough.” This financial
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forethought has allowed PAWS to continue
growing in spite of the current economic
climate. During the recent recession the
organization was able to expand operations
at the Lurie low-cost Spay/Neuter
Clinic, and as Chicago Animal Care and
Control’s largest partner continued to find
homes for thousands of animals through
its comprehensive foster and adoption
program. Thanks to these efforts the kill
rate in Chicago has continued to decline,
despite national trends.
So what exactly does a 4-star rating
mean for donors who have given money,
or are considering giving money to PAWS
Chicago According to Ms. Miniutti, “It
means that they’ll get the biggest bang
from their donation. The majority of their
contribution will be spent on the programs
and services that the charity exists
to provide, and that the charity isn’t in risk
of closing up its operations any time soon.”
Under Charity Navigator’s classification
methods, PAWS Chicago exceeds the standards
of over 90 percent of animal welfare
organizations nationwide and ranks as the
highest rated animal welfare organization
in the state of Illinois.
As a 4-star charity PAWS Chicago
demonstrates a proven dedication to using
donor funds as efficiently and effectively as
possible, while always planning ahead to
be prepared for whatever the future brings.
With this mindset, the organization will
ensure that it remains on the front lines
of the No Kill movement, and working to
advance its mission that every animal in
Chicago deserves a fair chance at life.
Currently a writer for
Groupon, Matthew Berns
volunteered at PAWS
Chicago to honor the
memory of his late shelter
dog, Sandy. A former
staff caregiver and current
volunteer, he has worked
directly with the animals at
both the Adoption Center
and Lurie Clinic.
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