Charity Navigator’s rating is an independent charity evaluation system that helps donors quickly understand how trustworthy, effective, and financially healthy a nonprofit appears to be. Charity Navigator uses data from the IRS, partners, and charities themselves to create unbiased ratings that help people give with more confidence.

Eligible charities receive a 0–4 star rating based on a 0–100 score:

• A four-star rating means the charity scores 90 or higher and “exceeds or meets best practices and industry standards” across almost all areas included in its rating.
• Three stars means good performance
• two stars means the charity needs improvement
• one or zero stars indicate poor or very poor performance compared with sector standards.

The rating is built around Charity Navigator’s Encompass Rating System, which evaluates charities through up to four “beacons”: Impact & Measurement, Accountability & Finance, Leadership & Planning, and Culture & Compensation. These areas show whether a charity measures results, uses money responsibly, is transparent and financially sustainable, has strong leadership, and follows practices that support organizational health.

In simple terms, a Charity Navigator rating tells donors how well a charity performs against nonprofit best practices and industry standards. It is a quick decision-making tool for comparing charities, but it should be read together with the charity’s mission, programs, and personal relevance to the donor’s values. Charity Navigator says its goal is to help users find and support trustworthy, effective charities aligned with their passions and values.