Guardian and Litem Foundation earns Platinum rating from GuideStar

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Feb. 17, 2022) – The Guardian ad Litem Foundation, 20th Judicial Circuit, has earned a Platinum rating from GuideStar, an organization that evaluates the fiscal health, stability and success of nonprofits.The Platinum Seal of Transparency indicates an organization has disclosed detailed information that outlines its goals, strategies, capabilities, accomplishments, revenue and expenses. Across Florida, only 880 of 104,276 listed organizations have a Platinum rating.In addition to the GuideStar Platinum rating, the Guardian ad Litem Foundation also has a perfect 100 Encompass Rating score from Charity Navigator, an independent nonprofit evaluator that provides data, tools and resources to guide philanthropic decision making. The score is based on the stability, efficiency and sustainability of the foundation’s financial health, as well as its commitment to governance practices and policies.“We are excited to have earned the top rating from both GuideStar and Charity Navigator,” said Jessica Stanfield, executive director of the Guardian ad Litem Foundation. “We rely on the generosity of individuals, businesses and philanthropic organizations to support our mission, and they can give confidently knowing their donations will ultimately reach the children that our organization represents.”Charity Navigator notes the Guardian ad Litem Foundation’s program expense ratio of 95.5% is significantly higher than most nonprofits.The Guardian ad Litem Foundation recruits, trains and supports court-approved volunteer child advocates who represent children who have been abused, neglected or abandoned. The foundation also provides financial assistance to help meet a child’s basic and developmental needs, including the Children’s Needs Program that provides “extras” like birthday parties, tutoring, summer camp programs, movie tickets and registration fees for clubs and sports. The foundation represents children in Collier, Lee, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades counties.