Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Receives Second 4-Star Rating from Charity Navigator for Exceptional Fiscal Management

August 12, 2009

(Bethesda, Md.) — The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation announced it has received a 4-star rating for sound fiscal management for the second year in a row from Charity Navigator, the largest charity evaluator in the United States.

The Foundation earned four out of four possible stars for achieving excellence in fiscal responsibility. With this top rating, the Foundation outperforms a majority of nonprofits in America with respect to fiscal management, according to Charity Navigator.

“This exceptional designation from Charity Navigator differentiates the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation from its peers and demonstrates to the public it is worthy of their trust,” said Ken Berger, president and chief executive officer of Charity Navigator. “The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation consistently executes its mission in a fiscally responsible way and out-performs most of the charities in America.”

As a result of targeted investments, the Foundation has fueled dramatic improvements in research and care that have significantly changed the prognosis for people with cystic fibrosis (CF). The predicted median age of survival for people with CF is 37 years — more than double what it was 25 years ago.

“The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation greatly values the coveted four-star rating from Charity Navigator,” said C. Richard Mattingly, executive vice president and chief operating officer of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. “Being efficient and effective is an essential part of our culture — every single day. We understand that we are custodians of the public’s trust with respect to every dollar donated to support our medical and scientific programs.”

Charity Navigator uses an objective, numbers-based rating system to assess the financial health of more than 5,000 of America’s best-known charities. Last year, over four million donors visited its Web site. Forbes, BusinessWeek and Kiplinger’s Financial Magazine, among others, have profiled Charity Navigator’s data-analysis system.

Charity Navigator's rating system examines two broad areas of a charity's financial health — how responsibly it functions day-to-day as well as how well positioned it is to sustain its programs over time. Each charity is awarded an overall rating, ranging from zero to four stars.

About the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is the leading organization in the United States devoted to curing and controlling cystic fibrosis. Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., the Foundation has more than 70 chapters and branch offices throughout the country and supports and accredits a nationwide network of 110 care centers, which provide vital treatments and other CF resources to patients and families. For more information, visit www.cff.org.

Media Contact

• Laurie Fink, Director of Media Relations: 301-841-2602; lfink@cff.org