First Nations Receives Highest 4-Star Rating from Charity Navigator for Sixth Straight Year

Longmont, Colorado, Nov. 14, 2017 -- First Nations Development Institute (First Nations) has once again received the highest rating of four stars from charity watchdog agency Charity Navigator, making it the sixth year in a row that First Nations has achieved this distinction.  Only 5 percent of the charities rated by Charity Navigator can claim the honor of receiving this top rating for six consecutive years.

Charity Navigator is America's largest and most-utilized independent evaluator of charities. The coveted rating is recognition of First Nations’ “strong financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency," according to the rating agency.

In a November 1, 2017, letter from Charity Navigator President & CEO Michael Thatcher to First Nations President & CEO Michael E. Roberts, Thatcher noted: “We are proud to announce First Nations Development Institute has earned our sixth consecutive 4-star rating. This is our highest possible rating and indicates that your organization adheres to sector best practices and executes its mission in a financially efficient way. Attaining a 4-star rating verifies that First Nations Development Institute exceeds industry standards and outperforms most charities in your area of work. Only 5% of the charities we evaluate have received at least 6 consecutive 4-star evaluations, indicating that First Nations Development Institute outperforms most other charities in America. This exceptional designation from Charity Navigator sets First Nations Development Institute apart from its peers and demonstrates to the public its trustworthiness.”

"We are extremely honored to receive this top rating again this year, especially since so few nonprofit organizations achieve it,” said First Nations’ Roberts. “I strongly believe it reflects our dedicated accountability to all of our constituencies – our generous donors and the Native American communities that we serve – and it demonstrates our commitment to pursuing our important work in a clear, honest and fiscally responsible manner, using good stewardship of charitable contributions while maintaining the public trust."

Those interested in supporting First Nations in its mission can do so by clicking here. To see First Nations’ profile on Charity Navigator, click here.

About First Nations Development Institute
For 37 years, using a three-pronged strategy of educating grassroots practitioners, advocating for systemic change, and capitalizing Indian communities, First Nations has been working to restore Native American control and culturally-compatible stewardship of the assets they own – be they land, human potential, cultural heritage or natural resources – and to establish new assets for ensuring the long-term vitality of Native American communities. First Nations serves Native American communities throughout the United States. For more information, visit www.firstnations.org.

Randy Blauvelt, First Nations Senior Communications Officer 
[email protected] or (303) 774-7836 x213