Project Description

Charity Navigator’s 2019 ratings now list COA Youth & Family Centers as the highest rated charity in the State of Wisconsin.  In addition, COA is listed as:

  • The highest rated “Human Services” charity in Wisconsin,
  • The highest rated provider of “Children’s and Family Services” in Wisconsin, and
  • Nationally, Charity Navigator gives COA the 6th highest rating among “Children’s and Family Services” nonprofit.

Charity Navigator’s website states, “We believe our ratings dramatically improve the quantity and quality of information available to charitable givers/social investors. Our ratings provide clear, objective, and reliable assessments of both the Financial Health and Accountability & Transparency of charities.  A four-star rating means, “Exceptional. Exceeds industry standards and outperforms most charities in its cause.”

“Wisconsin is fortunate to have many outstanding nonprofit organizations and it’s a great honor for COA to receive this recognition.”

Tom Schneider, COA’s executive director, stated, “Wisconsin is fortunate to have many outstanding nonprofit organizations and it’s a great honor for COA to receive this recognition.  As someone who also donates to several nonprofit agencies, I find it helpful to know how much of my gift is actually going to support the people they are serving, and they are transparent with their finances and have low administrative and fundraising costs.”

JoAnne Anton, the director of giving for Herb Kohl Philanthropies noted, “When it comes to our charitable giving, Herb Kohl Philanthropies looks for the best blend of impact, efficiency and transparency.  A rating from Charity Navigator provides meaningful information that adds confidence to the donor decision-making process. Financial efficiency and effectiveness do not come easily which is why we really value the commitment to excellence that COA and so many highly-rated non-profits throughout Wisconsin demonstrate.”

Schneider also noted that it’s an honor to be listed with other Milwaukee area charities with four-star ratings such as the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, Ronald McDonald House, United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County, The Milwaukee Repertory Theater, and the Milwaukee Jewish Federation.  Overall, Schneider noted there are 44 four-star rated charities in the State of Wisconsin, including 17 in Milwaukee, an impressive statistic we should all be proud of.

“For many years we have been proud that over 90 cents of every dollar goes directly to programming”

COA’s Board President Christine Liu McLaughlin stated, “It’s a testament to the hard work of COA’s staff and board that we are able to use every dollar efficiently and to serve as many children and families as possible with high quality programs. For many years we have been proud that over 90 cents of every dollar goes directly to programming, so this honor is a validation of how much COA cares about the community and being transparent with donors.”

Charity Navigator’s website states that it seeks to provide “an unbiased source of information that would provide charitable givers and social investors across the country with every type of charitable interest the tools necessary to make informed giving decisions.”