Rainforest Trust was awarded Charity Navigator’s 4-star rating for the 8th year, in addition to being placed in the top-tier of nonprofit organizations across the U.S. for accountability and transparency.

Rainforest Trust has been recognized as one of the most efficient and effective nonprofit organizations in the U.S. by Charity Navigator, an independent evaluator of charities. This is the 8th time that Rainforest Trust has received a 4-star rating (the highest possible rating from Charity Navigator), and this year the conservation organization was also awarded the maximum 100 percent overall rating. According to the Charity Navigator website, “Less than one percent of the thousands of charities rated by Charity Navigator have earned perfect scores.” Of the more than 400 environmental groups assessed, Rainforest Trust was one of only seven receiving this level of recognition for its financial health, accountability and transparency.

“We are extremely proud to have received the top rating from Charity Navigator,” said Rainforest Trust CEO Dr. Paul Salaman. “We have worked incredibly hard to meet and maintain the highest standards of accountability and transparency throughout our organization, and with this recognition, our supporters can be confident that Rainforest Trust is making the most effective and efficient use of the resources available to us to benefit our fragile planet.”

With a mission to “advance a more efficient and responsive philanthropic marketplace,” Charity Navigator is a trusted and objective source often used by individuals and corporations who are looking to ensure that their donations will be used as efficiently as possible.

“Donors across the U.S. and around the world in 67 countries trust Rainforest Trust to use their contributions wisely,” said Leslie VanSant, Rainforest Trust’s Chief Philanthropy Officer. “For this reason, Rainforest Trust was also recognized by Charity Navigator as one of the top ten fastest growing nonprofits in the U.S.”

As part of its growth, Rainforest Trust has launched its SAVES Challenge, where the organization has committed to raise $50 million as a challenge match that will direct a total of $100 million to establish new protected areas to save threatened species around the world.

“Rainforest Trust is laser focused on creating new protected areas for the planet’s most imperiled animal and plant species,” said Rainforest Trust’s Chief Conservation Officer Dr. George Wallace. “To fulfill this mission we depend on the support of individuals, foundations and corporations throughout the U.S. and beyond. Our Charity Navigator rating represents our commitment to our supporters to make the most effective use of their funding for the protection of global biodiversity.”