Contact:             

Lindsay Hansen

Catholic Charities            

(480) 205-6195 cell

lhansen@cc-az.org

PHOENIX, Ariz. (August 13, 2007)…Catholic Charities USA, the membership association of Arizona’s own Catholic Charities Community Services, is a “Slam Dunk” for donors looking to maximize their investment, according to Charity Navigator, the country’s largest independent charity evaluator, which recently recognized Catholic Charities USA as the eighth most fiscally responsible charity in the nation. In addition, Charity Navigator awarded Catholic Charities USA its highest rating—four stars—for both organizational efficiency and organizational capacity.

“At Charity Navigator we’ve scrutinized the financial health of more than 5,300 of the best-known charities in America. Catholic Charities USA stands out not just as one of the most fiscally healthy, but also for their strong commitment to respecting the rights of donors,” said Trent Stamp, president of Charity Navigator. “Their inclusion on our top 10 list of Slam Dunk Charities signals to the public that Catholic Charities USA is worthy of its trust and support.”

Catholic Charities USA, which was founded in 1910, serves as the membership association of one of the nation's largest social service networks, providing networking opportunities, national advocacy, and media efforts, program development, training and technical assistance, and financial support. For more than 275 cummulative years, Catholic Charities agencies and institutions nationwide have provided vital social services to people in need, regardless of their religious, social, or economic backgrounds.

“Here in Arizona, our staff is committed to providing quality services to individuals, families at risk and people in crisis,” said Paul Martodam, chief executive officer of Catholic Charities in Central and Northern Arizona.  “It’s a tremendous honor to be recognized nationally for financial stewardship and commitment to donors.  Charity Navigator is a reputable independent evaluator of charities and we commend them for helping donors make educated giving decisions that will positively impact our communities.”

Charity Navigator aims to advance a more efficient and responsive philanthropic marketplace in which givers and the charities they support work in tandem to overcome the nation’s most persistent challenges.

To learn more, visit www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm/bay/topten.detail/listid/23.htm.

About Catholic Charities

Founded in 1933, Catholic Charities Community Services is one of Arizona’s oldest and largest nonprofit organizations which offers a diverse range of social services that strengthen families, protect and nurture children, and support people in crisis.  Catholic Charities serves people of all ages and faiths.  Each year, the charitable organization provides  over 50 programs at 100 locations to almost 200,000 people in central and northern Arizona.  Catholic Charities is a member organization of Catholic Charities USA which is the largest private network of social service organizations in the United States working to support families, reduce poverty, and build communities.  The organization is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Children and Family Services.  To learn more about Catholic Charities visit www.catholiccharitiesaz.org.

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