Santa Barbara Humane’s strong financial health and ongoing accountability and transparency have earned a 100/100 rating from Charity Navigator’s Encompass Rating System. This score designates Santa Barbara Humane as an official Give with Confidence charity, indicating the organization is using its donations effectively based on Charity Navigator’s criteria.

Charity Navigator is America’s largest and most-utilized independent charity evaluator.

The Encompass Rating System is a comprehensive evaluation tool that analyzes nonprofit performance based on four key indicators.

In July 2020, Charity Navigator released the first indicator, Finance & Accountability, to highlight nonprofit organizations demonstrating fiscal responsibility. This is determined by five metrics: Program Expense Ratio, Independent Audit or Financial Review, Board Composition, Liabilities to Assets, and Website Listing.

In October 2020, this was followed by the second indicator, Impact & Results, assessing how well a nonprofit delivers on its mission. The additional indicators, to be rolled out in the next 18-24 months, are Leadership & Adaptability and Culture & Community.

The system uses a combination of automated methods and technology-supported manual research and analysis to provide donors and nonprofits with four clearly-visualized indicators of organizational effectiveness.

“We are delighted to provide Santa Barbara Humane with third-party accreditation that validates their operational excellence,” said Michael Thatcher, president/CEO of Charity Navigator. “We are eager to see the good work that the organization is able to accomplish in the years ahead.”

Since its founding in 1887, Santa Barbara Humane has provided services to animals in need. With a focus on safety net programs, donor dollars fund high-quality, affordable veterinary care, dog training and a place for thousands of animals to get another chance at a loving home through adoption.

“Our Charity Navigator rating of 100 out of 100 through their Encompass Rating System is further validation that our supporters can trust our commitment to good governance and making the world a better place,” said CEO Kerri Burns. “We hope that it will introduce our work to new supporters who can help us advance our mission to be champions for animals and the people who love them.”

Santa Barbara Humane’s two campuses in Santa Maria and Santa Barbara offer expanded support for animals and pet owners countywide. This recognition confirms that donor funds are spent responsibly at a time when they have never been more needed.

A seismic shift has occurred in pet owners’ need for services as pet owners struggle to afford vital veterinary care due to financial hardship. Requests are up 300 percent from 2020 with 3,000 families now needing assistance, and donors ensure no pet is turned away for the vital care they need.

Donors can visit sbhumane.org/give to explore the ways to make an impact for animals throughout Santa Barbara County.