Joni and Friends Receives Rare Charity Navigator “4 Star” Rating

Joni and Friends International Disability Center Receives Rare Charity Navigator “4 Star” Rating for Second Straight Year
Less than 20 percent of non-profits receive such recognition

Joni and Friends, whose vision is to accelerate Christian ministry in the disability community, has received a “4 Star” designation from Charity Navigator in recognition of sound fiscal management. Charity Navigator is a major charity evaluator in the U.S., and serves as a key resource to donors in search of essential information they need to in order to make their charitable giving decisions.

“We are pleased once again to receive such a vote of confidence from Charity Navigator, which we know many of our donors and potential donors look to for this type of information,” said Joni and Friends President and COO Doug Mazza. “While our focus remains on ministry, we recognize we can’t do that ministry without funding, so we appreciate Charity Navigator’s designation, assuring our donors that we are being good stewards of the funds with which we are entrusted.”

Founded in 1979 by Joni Eareckson Tada, Joni and Friends serves to equip and encourage individuals with disabilities and those who minister to them. Recent initiatives include growth in the educational arena with the establishment of courses on a Theology of Suffering and Disability in Christian colleges and seminaries around the country. Also through its Christian Institute on Disability, Joni and Friends tackles the tough issues of the day, such as euthanasia and stem cell research, from a biblical perspective, helping Christians to understand the importance of doing so. 

In its recognition from Charity Navigator, the organization’s president, Ken Berger, informed Joni and Friends that “Only 19% of the charities we rate have received at least 2 consecutive 4-star evaluations, indicating that Joni and Friends consistently executes its mission in a fiscally responsible way, and outperforms most other charities in America.”

“This ‘exceptional’ designation from Charity Navigator differentiates Joni and Friends from its peers and demonstrates to the public it is worthy of their trust,” Berger concluded.