CONTACT: Greg Elwell, (405) 271-8955, Greg-elwell@omrf.org

OMRF Earns Top Ranking Among Oklahoma Charities

OKLAHOMA CITY, April 4, 2008 — In tight financial times, those willing to donate to the common good should be especially commended. And when savings are scarce, it’s particularly important for donors to know that charities are using those gifts wisely.

For the sixth time in a row, the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation has received the highest possible rating from Charity Navigator, the nation’s largest charity evaluator. 

OMRF’s overall score ranked it as the top Oklahoma charity, and it was one of only nine state organizations to earn a 4-star rating on CharityNavigator.org. Of the 77 U.S. medical research organizations rated by the group, OMRF ranked third overall. 

“Only 3 percent of the charities we’ve rated have received at least five consecutive 4-star evaluations, indicating that Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation outperforms most charities in America in its efforts to operate in the most fiscally responsible way possible,” said Michael Smith, Chief Operating Officer for Charity Navigator. “This ‘exceptional’ designation from Charity Navigator differentiates Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation from its peers and demonstrates to the public that it is worthy of their trust.” 

“With so many charities out there, it can be difficult for donors to make informed giving choices,” OMRF President Stephen Prescott, M.D., said. “Charity Navigator is a valuable tool for guiding those decisions, and we’re proud to have received a rank that reflects OMRF’s commitment to financial accountability.” 

Using publicly available financial information, Charity Navigator promotes intelligent giving by providing report cards for U.S. and international charities. The nonprofit organization measures charities’ performance in seven categories: fund-raising efficiency, fund-raising expenses, program expenses, primary revenue growth, administrative expenses, program expense growth and working capital ration. It then assigns each charity a score from zero to four stars. 

“The money we receive goes to researchers, laboratory staff and equipment,” said Prescott. “Charity Navigator’s rating is one more guarantee that when people donate to OMRF, they’re giving to science—and to the future health of Oklahomans and people everywhere.”  

Charity Navigator’s evaluation of OMRF and more than 4,000 other charities can be found at www.charitynavigator.org. 

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