PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – The quality of an organization’s fiscal practices often determines whether it succeeds. In the world of non-profits, fiscal responsibility is especially significant since so much of the funding is secured from donors and the government. Place of Hope, Palm Beach County’s largest children’s organization, is one of only 51 U.S. charities – out of 8,000 – to earn a perfect score of 100 from the nation’s largest charity rating service, Charity Navigator.

Charity Navigator announced adjustments to its rating system on June 1 that changed the way it assesses a charity’s financial health. Measurements for accountability and transparency were unchanged. Under the new rating system, Place of Hope earned 100 points in both categories. It joins Boca Helping Hands as one of only two nonprofits in Palm Beach County to be recognized for optimal performance in the area of Human Services. According to the New York Times, Charity Navigator is one of the more influential charity assessment organizations. In 2014 and 2015, it ranked Place of Hope highest nationally in the category of “Youth Development, Shelter and Crisis Services.”

“Our investors and supporters rely on organizations, such as Charity Navigator, to assure them of Place of Hope’s stewardship and trustworthiness. It is our responsibility to be as forthright, honest and accountable as we can with their investment in our mission, so we are extremely heartened by our perfect score,” said Founding Executive Director Charles Bender III. “This scoring is confirmation of our work to make sure every donation is used in a responsible and constructive manner and to do our best to ensure our children and youth are the true beneficiaries of the community’s generosity.”

Place of Hope features several programs and locations, including Villages of Hope of Palm Beach Gardens, a smaller campus and extended foster care program for youth who age out of the system; Joann’s Cottage of Palm Beach Gardens, a maternity home for young mothers and pregnant young women; Place of Hope at The Leighan and David Rinker Campus in Boca Raton; and new foster parent recruitment offices in Hobe Sound and Port St. Lucie.

In Boca Raton, the final home, The Leighan Roberts Rinker Family Cottage for Girls, has been scheduled for renovation, and the campus has been approved for additional expansion onto adjacent land.

Touching lives in Palm Beach, Broward, Martin, St. Lucie, Okeechobee and Indian River counties, Place of Hope is a faith based, state-licensed children’s organization. It provides family-style foster care (emergency and long-term); family outreach and intervention; maternity care; safety for domestic minor sexually trafficked victims; transitional housing and support services; foster care recruitment and support; hope and healing opportunities for children and families who have been traumatized by abuse and neglect. Place of Hope’s main campus is located at 9078 Isaiah Lane in Palm Beach Gardens. For more information, please call 561-775-7195 or visit online at www.placeofhope.com.