Charity ratings agency Charity Navigator has given Brunswick, Ga.-based medical organization MAP International top honors in its category for groups with budgets of at least $100 million operating across the U.S. or in multiple countries.
The “10 of the Best Charities Everyone’s Heard Of” list includes internationally operating organizations such as medical equipment supplier Direct Relief International of Santa Barbara, Calif., at second and the Atlanta-based Carter Center ranked third.
MAP International delivers medical supplies and trains health workers in 115 countries, particularly those suffering natural disasters or conflicts.
Glen Rock, N.J.-based Charity Navigator, which evaluates about 5,500 charities, scored the Brunswick organization 69.91 out of 70 in financial health and 70 out of 70 in accountability and transparency.
Charity Navigator’s website notes that 99.1 percent of MAP International’s funds go to philanthropic programs. Other expenses include 0.6 percent for fundraising and 0.1 percent for administration.
These scores also put MAP International second on the “10 Top-Notch Charities” list, which includes the highest-rated organizations regardless of budget.
Local philanthropic advisory group Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta ranked seventh in this category with 69.64 in financial health and a perfect score in accountability and transparency.
Charity Navigator’s financial information is based on tax forms obtained from the Internal Revenue Service.
The ratings agency operates as a private foundation, unlike the public organizations it evaluates, therefore it does not rate its own performance.
For more on MAP International go to www.map.org. For Charity Navigator’s ratings see www.charitynavigator.org.