First Nations Wins Highest Charity Rating for 4th Year in Row

LONGMONT, Colorado (Nov. 10, 2015) – First Nations Development Institute (First Nations [ http://www.firstnations.org ]) has been awarded Charity Navigator's [ http://www.charitynavigator.org/ ] coveted four-star rating for a fourth year in a row, in recognition of First Nations' sound fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency. Only 9% of the charities rated by Charity Navigator have earned four consecutive four-star evaluations, which Charity Navigator says "indicates that First Nations outperforms most other charities in America (and) this exceptional designation from Charity Navigator differentiates First Nations from its peers and demonstrates to the public it is worthy of their trust."

In a November 1, 2015, letter to First Nations, Charity Navigator President & CEO Michael Thatcher noted: "As the nonprofit sector continues to grow at an unprecedented pace, savvy donors are demanding more accountability, transparency and quantifiable results from the charities they choose to support with their hard-earned dollars. In this competitive philanthropic marketplace, Charity Navigator, America's premier charity evaluator, highlights the fine work of efficient, ethical and open charities. Our goal in all of this is to provide donors with essential information needed to give them greater confidence in the charitable choices they make ... We are proud to announce First Nations Development Institute has earned our fourth consecutive 4-star rating. Receiving four out of a possible four stars indicates that your organization adheres to good governance and other best practices that minimize the chance of unethical activities and consistently executes its mission in a fiscally responsible way."

"We are extremely proud and honored to receive this top rating again this year, especially since so few nonprofit organizations achieve it over consecutive years, let alone four consecutive years," said Michael E. Roberts, First Nations president. "We 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 [ https://org2.salsalabs.com/o/5855/donate_page/firstnations;jsessionid=00D003405291BA7AA9C683187ADB063A-n3 ].

About First Nations Development Institute

For 35 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 about First Nations, visit http://www.firstnations.org [ http://www.firstnations.org ].