The Lowcountry Food Bank‘s (LCFB) strong financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency have earned it a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent charity evaluator.

This is the twelfth consecutive time since 2009 that LCFB has earned this top distinction. According to Charity Navigator, only 1% of all charities they evaluate have received at least 12 consecutive 4-star evaluations, indicating that Lowcountry Food Bank outperforms most other charities in America.

Since 2002, using objective analysis, Charity Navigator has awarded only the most fiscally responsible organizations a 4-star rating. In 2011, Charity Navigator added 17 metrics to its ratings methodology focused on governance and ethical practices as well as measures of openness. These Accountability & Transparency metrics, which account for 50 percent of a charity’s overall rating, reveal which charities operate in accordance with industry best practices and whether they are open with their donors and stakeholders. In June 2016, Charity Navigator upgraded its methodology for rating each charity’s’ financial health. These enhancements further substantiate the financial health of its 4-star charities.

“LCFB’s exceptional 4-star rating sets it apart from its peers and demonstrates its trustworthiness to the public,” according to Michael Thatcher, President and CEO of Charity Navigator. “Only a quarter of charities rated by Charity Navigator receive the distinction of our 4-star rating. This adds the LCFB to a preeminent group of charities working to overcome our world’s most pressing challenges. Based on its 4-star rating, people can trust that their donations are going to a financially responsible and ethical charity when they decide to support the LCFB.”

“It’s important that our donors trust that we’re using their donations wisely to accomplish the LCFB’s mission,” said Nick Osborne, LCFB President and CEO. “Our 4-star Charity Navigator rating demonstrates to our supporters our good governance and financial accountability.”