ASU Foundation earns highest overall rating from Charity Navigator

The Arizona State University Foundation for A New American University has earned one of the highest scores among nonprofit education services and programs in the 2013 fiscal-year analysis performed by Charity Navigator, the country’s largest and most-utilized evaluator of charities. Recording an overall average of 96.44 points out of a possible 100, the foundation was recognized for accountability and transparency, fundraising efficiency and revenue growth.

One of Arizona’s oldest and most respected nonprofits, the ASU Foundation was awarded Charity Navigator’s top rating, four stars, for the third consecutive year. The premier rating is awarded to nonprofits exceeding industry standards and outperforming most charities in their cause category. Charity Navigator only evaluates organizations granted tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and that file a Form 990.

The foundation secured $136.1 million in new gifts and commitments from 94,849 donors during the 2012-2013 fiscal year, increasing Arizona State University’s overall endowment to $552.8 million. (The foundation reported $147.1 million in new gifts and commitments from nearly 100,000 donors, and an overall endowment of $625.8 million in fiscal year 2013-2014.)

“Providing the best possible service to our valued donors who support and advance this great university’s students, faculty, programs and research is our primary focus,” said foundation CEO R.F. “Rick” Shangraw Jr., who was appointed to his role by ASU President Michael M. Crow in 2011. “We are extremely proud of the consistency we have shown, just as we are proud of the transparency and professionalism that are the hallmarks of our success.

“The continued four-star recognition we receive from Charity Navigator says a great deal about our team, the university and the high level of confidence our donors place in the mission and vision of ASU as a New American University.”

Charity Navigator’s evaluation covers two broad areas of performance: financial health and accountability and transparency. The ratings provide givers information on how efficiently a charity will use their philanthropic support, how well it has sustained its programs and services over time, and the level of its commitment to being accountable and transparent.

“This is very rewarding to all of us who work on behalf of Arizona State University and advance its success through philanthropic support of its students, faculty, programs and research,” said Shangraw. “Our focus is providing the best possible service to our valued investors, and doing so in a professional and transparent way. To receive such marks and recognition from Charity Navigator says a great deal about the foundation and our team, as well as the trust our investors place in our support of ASU.

“As ASU seeks the discovery of solutions to meet today’s great challenges, our investors wish to be part of the process; they want to be part of the solution. What we do and how we do it is directly attributable to the respect these philanthropists have for ASU and the foundation, as well as our ability to include them in meaningful discovery that provides real outcomes.”