Metro YMCA recognized as a top charity

LIVINGSTON — The nation’s largest charity evaluator has awarded the Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges its top rating for the fifth year straight in recognition of the organization’s sound fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency.

“Only 6 percent of the charities we rate have received at least five consecutive four-star evaluations, indicating that Metro YMCAs of the Oranges outperforms most other charities in America," Charity Navigator President and Chief Executive Officer Michael Thatcher wrote.

The designation “differentiates Metro YMCA of the Oranges from its peers and demonstrates to the public it is worthy of their trust.”

The Metro YMCA is the largest association of YMCAs in New Jersey, serving more than 35,000 people at its six branches: East Orange YMCA, Fairview Lake YMCA Camps, South Mountain YMCA, Sussex County YMCA, Wayne YMCA, and West Essex YMCA.

“Our entire team works diligently every day to provide meaningful impact to the communities we serve through the Metro YMCA mission of youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility,” said Metro YMCA President and CEO Richard K. Gorab. “Being awarded Charity Navigator’s four-star rating year after year assures donors that we are careful stewards of their generosity.”

Receiving Charity Navigator’s top rating reflects the Metro Y’s commitment to good governance and other best practices that ensure the organization consistently executes its mission in a fiscally responsible way," Thatcher noted.

Charity Navigator helps people decide which charities are worthy of their donations by evaluating the financial health of and accountability and transparency of more than 8,000 organizations. A nonprofit itself, Charity Navigator accepts no advertising or donations from the organizations it evaluates to ensure unbiased evaluations, and it doesn’t charge the public to access its data.