Three other India-focused charities also get 4-star rating: Association for India’s Development (AID), Asha for Education and the India Development and Relief Fund, Inc. (IDRF).
The American India Foundation has earned a “4-star” rating from Charity Navigator, the country’s largest independent evaluator for philanthropic groups, for strong financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency.
AIF earned the coveted rating “for continuing to execute its mission of catalyzing social and economic change in India in a fiscally responsible manner,” the organization said in a press release. “It also reinforces AIF’s commitment to clear financial discipline and oversight, which includes annual independent audits and the open publication of its financial records,” the release added.
“We take tremendous pride in this achievement,” AIF’s Chief Executive Officer Nishant Pandey said. “This rating underscores that the majority of our funding is invested in the field to support our mission, and assures our donors that their investments are being astutely used. It also demonstrates that we take our fiduciary and governance responsibilities very seriously.”
Michael Thatcher, President and CEO of Charity Navigator, said by attaining a 4-star rating AIF exceeded “industry standard” and outperformed “most charities in its area of work.”
“This exceptional designation from Charity Navigator sets American India Foundation apart from its peers and demonstrates to the public its trustworthiness,” he said.
This is the third time that AIF has earned a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, which has been rating philanthropic groups since 2002.
Only a quarter of charities rated by Charity Navigator receive 4-star rating.
Three other India-focused groups also received 4-star rating: the Association for India’s Development (AID), which promotes sustainable, equitable and just development in the country; Asha for Education, which promotes access to basic education in India; and the India Development and Relief Fund, Inc. (IDRF), which provides support for programs in the areas of “education, healthcare, women empowerment, governance, and eco-friendly livelihoods at grass-roots level” in India, Nepal and Sri Lanka.