ASU Foundation earns 4-star rating from nation's top charity evaluator

Banner year includes nearly 95,000 donations, $172M in support of ASU

The ASU Foundation for A New American University, one of Arizona’s oldest and most respected nonprofit organizations, has earned a premium 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, the nation’s largest and most-used evaluator of charities. As the Arizona State University fundraising arm, the foundation was recognized for its growth in philanthropic investments received during the 2010-2011 fiscal year, as well as its fundraising efficiency.

The rating is reflective of continued investor confidence. During the 2011 fiscal year, more than 94,000 donors invested more than $172 million in support of ASU scholarships, research, colleges and programs.

“This elite recognition by Charity Navigator is evidence of the tremendous value our donors – our investors – place in advancing the positive transformation of higher education and our vision for a New American University,” said R.F. “Rick” Shangraw Jr., CEO of the foundation. “As President Crow and the rest of the university team continually and aggressively pursue broad access for all qualified students, excellence in academic endeavors and meaningful societal impact, we are creating unique and innovative ways to match our advocates to the solutions being discovered and advanced by ASU faculty and students. These solutions are aimed at addressing the great challenges we face as a society.

“We continue to be so grateful for the passionate support we receive from our large family of donors. Philanthropy works to make a difference, and this recognition by Charity Navigator is a tribute to these community leaders, and it reinforces our commitment to advance ASU and the New American University.”

Founded in 2001, Charity Navigator has examined tens of thousands of nonprofit financial documents to develop an unbiased, objective, numbers-based rating system to accurately assess more than 5,000 of America’s charities. In 2011, Charity Navigator moved from a one-dimensional to a two-dimensional rating system to measure charities on two distinct components: financial health and accountability and transparency. Charity Navigator only evaluates organizations, like the ASU Foundation, that have been granted tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and that file a Form 990 annually.

Incorporated in 1955, the ASU Foundation ensures the success of ASU as a New American University. By building the support necessary to mobilize the ASU community as an engine for positive change, the foundation raises, invests and manages private funds to benefit Arizona State University and serves as the university’s entrepreneurial arm in technology commercialization, real estate investment and other emerging initiatives. Learn more about the foundation at www.asufoundation.org.

Steve Des Georges, steve.dg@asu.edu
Senior Director, Editorial Services
ASU Foundation for A New American University
480-727-0757