Charity Navigator, the largest independent evaluator of U.S. charities,  rates non-profits based on how efficiently charities use the support they receive; how well organizations sustain programs and services over time; and their level of commitment to good governance, best practices and transparency. The four-star rating is the highest that it awards.

In a letter to the Coalition, Charity Navigator President Michael Thatcher wrote, “We are proud to announce Buzzards Bay Coalition has earned our third consecutive 4-star rating. This is our highest possible rating and indicates that your organization adheres to sector best practices and executes its mission in a financially efficient way.

“Attaining a 4-star rating verifies that Buzzards Bay Coalition exceeds industry standards and outperforms most charities in your area of work. Only 25% of the charities we evaluate have received at least 3 consecutive 4-star evaluations, indicating that Buzzards Bay Coalition outperforms most other charities in America. This exceptional designation from Charity Navigator sets Buzzards Bay Coalition apart from its peers and demonstrates to the public its trustworthiness.”

Mark Rasmussen, president of the Coalition, said, “Our successes in restoring and protecting Buzzards Bay and its watershed lands are only possible with the generous support and active involvement of the people who live in the area and love the Bay. We are grateful to all our supporters and friends for their faith in us, and we welcome Charity Navigator’s rating as an affirmation of our commitment to our communities.”

Last March, the national Land Trust Accreditation Commission also affirmed the Coalition’s strong commitment to the public trust and conservation excellence by renewing its land trust accreditation, culminating a yearlong review of the organization’s practices. Of the more than 1,300 land trusts in the U.S., only 400 have received accreditation.