United Way of the Lowcountry's strong financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency have earned it a four-star rating from Charity Navigator, America's largest independent charity evaluator.

Since 2002, using objective analysis, Charity Navigator has awarded only the most fiscally-responsible organizations a four-star rating. In 2011, Charity Navigator added 17 metrics, focused on governance and ethical practices as well as measures of openness, to its ratings methodology.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp; </span>These accountability and 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. On June 1, 2016, Charity Navigator upgraded their methodology for rating each charity's' financial health with CN 2.1. These enhancements further substantiate the financial health of four-star charities.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

"We value our donors and it's important they trust that we're using their hard-earned dollars wisely to address the immediate needs of our neighbors and create lasting, positive change in our community, says Tina Gentry, United Way of the Lowcountry President and CEO.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp; </span>"Our four-star Charity Navigator rating demonstrates to our supporters our good governance and financial accountability."

United Way of the Lowcountry's rating and other information about charitable giving are available free of charge on www.charitynavigator.org. <span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>