Feb 27, 2005 3 min read

ST. PAUL, MINN. – Pheasants Forever (PF) recently received the highest rating possible from Charity Navigator, America’s largest charity evaluator. Charity Navigator, which evaluates more than 3,600 non-profits nationwide, judges charities on their organizational efficiency and organizational capacity. PF scored a 4-star rating, the highest possible, on Charity Navigator’s 0-to-4-star rating scale.

In a news release issued by Charity Navigator, the charity watchdog said that pro-hunting and fishing conservation groups outperform other charities.

The release also said that groups like PF are more efficient than most charities at turning donor’s dollars into program efforts. Of the nine conservation groups examined by Charity Navigator, seven received a 3- or 4-star ratings.

Charity Navigator said a 4-star rating indicates that an organization exceeds the industry standard and outperforms its piers.

Overall, only the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation finished with a higher numerical rating (66.07 out of 70) than PF (63.97) amongst all conservation organizations. Highlighted in the report was PF’s ability to turn 90 cents of every budgeted dollar into the organization’s mission of wildlife habitat and conservation education. Since inception in 1982, PF has spent more than $170 million on wildlife habitat projects and conservation education. Those funds have translated into 299,192 habitat projects benefiting over 3.4 million acres across the continent.

“We don’t measure our success in stars and awards. We measure our success in acres,” explained Howard Vincent, PF’s president and CEO. “However, this four-star rating is a testament to the efforts of 600 Pheasants Forever chapters working to make a difference for wildlife and the environment. It also proves that Pheasants Forever’s unique grassroots model is working across the landscape.”

PF is the only national wildlife conservation organization that leaves 100 percent of the fundraising dollars, along with the decision on how best to utilize those funds, in the local communities where they are raised.”

“This four-star rating is really the fulfillment of a promise that starts with every member that sends us a thirty dollar membership form,” added Vincent.

“Our volunteer members give of their time and money to Pheasants Forever with the expectation that Pheasants Forever will deliver the habitat promise on the other end of that commitment. A 4-star rating means we are fulfilling that promise to our members and making a real difference on the ground for wildlife and the environment.”

Charity Navigator, America’s premiere independent charity evaluator, works to advance a more efficient and responsive philanthropic marketplace by evaluating the financial health of America’s largest charities.

To see PF’s evaluation: http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm/bay/search.summary/orgid/4319.htm