The Crowing Post:  2/4/08

Charity Navigator Awards PF Highest Rating for Fourth Consecutive Year

For the fourth consecutive year, Pheasants Forever (PF) received the highest possible rating from Charity Navigator, the nation's largest charity evaluator. PF earned a 4-star rating on Charity Navigator's 0-4 rating scale. Only 5% of the charities rated by Charity Navigator have received at least four consecutive 4-star evaluations.

Through Charity Navigator’s evaluation system, non-profit organizations are judged upon their ability to efficiently manage and grow its finances. The watchdog organization evaluates over 5,000 non-profits nationwide, more than any other organization. On four straight 4-star ratings, Charity Navigator said in a statement, "This 'exceptional' designation from Charity Navigator differentiates Pheasants Forever from its peers and demonstrates to the public it is worthy of their trust."

"In today's non-profit world, people expect to see their donations being put to the best possible use," said Howard Vincent, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever President and CEO, "This evaluation once again proves that we are good to our word at turning dollars into conservation advocacy, conservation education, and most importantly, putting dollars directly back into the ground for the betterment of wildlife habitat."

Charity Navigator noted PF's ability to turn nearly 90 cents of every budgeted dollar into the organization's mission of wildlife habitat and conservation education. PF is currently celebrating its 25th anniversary, and in that time the organization has spent nearly $230 million on its mission. Those funds have translated into 300,000 habitat projects, benefiting nearly 4.5 million acres across North America.

"This 4-star rating from Charity Navigator is a direct reflection of how well our unique local model works," Vincent added. PF and its quail division, Quail Forever (QF), empower local chapters with the responsibility to determine how 100 percent of their locally-raised conservation funds will be spent. PF and QF are the only national conservation organizations that operate through this truly grassroots structure. This local control allows members to see the fruits of their chapter efforts in their own communities, while belonging to a national organization with a voice on federal conservation policy in Washington D.C.

Charity Navigator, America's premiere independent charity evaluator, works to advance a more efficient and responsive philanthropic marketplace by evaluating the financial health of America's largest charities. To view Charity Navigator’s evaluation of PF, log onto: www.charitynavigator.com and search Pheasants Forever.

      habitat today….pheasants forever!