SEO received a Perfect 100% Rating from Charity Navigator

New York, NY – July 11, 2017— SEO (Sponsors for Educational Opportunity) has received a Perfect 100% Rating from Charity Navigator, the nation’s leading charity evaluator. Additionally, SEO earned its fifth consecutive 4-star rating, which is the highest rating possible. Charities on the Charity Navigator Perfect 100 list execute their missions in a fiscally responsible way, while adhering to good governance and other best practices that minimize the chance of unethical activities. Of the more than 9,000 charities evaluated by Charity Navigator, less than 1% have earned perfect scores, including only two other organization in the education category. Less than 6% of evaluated charities have received 5 straight 4-star ratings.

This accomplishment places SEO in the Top 1% of charities in America, and displays SEO’s commitment to providing superior educational and career opportunities to underserved and underrepresented youth.

“We are honored to be recognized by Charity Navigator again this year for our stewardship and transparency,” said William Goodloe, President and CEO of SEO. “The guidance of our Board of Directors and the dedication of the SEO staff have made it possible for us to meet the highest standards of non-profit governance, oversight, and fiscal performance. Our team’s commitment to SEO’s mission is truly inspiring and I look forward to furthering our impact on the thousands of young people we serve each year.”

“It is with great pride that I extend my congratulations to William Goodloe and the SEO team for this outstanding achievement,” said Henry R. Kravis, SEO Board Chairman and Co-Chairman and Co-CEO of Kohlberg, Kravis & Roberts Co. “This acknowledgment by Charity Navigator speaks volumes about the integrity of SEO as an organization and its commitment to giving more and more deserving young people the opportunity to fulfill their dreams of  academic and career success. I could not be more proud than to be associated with such an incredible organization.”

Founded in 1963, SEO’s mission is to provide talented and motivated young people from underserved and represented communities with access to superior educational and career opportunities. Today, SEO runs four core programs: SEO Scholars, a free eight-year academic program that gets low-income public high school students to and through college— with a 90% college graduation rate; SEO Career, the nation’s premiere internship and
professional development program for talented Black, Hispanic, and Native American undergrads and pre-law school candidates—with 80% of recent interns receiving full-time job offers at SEO partner companies; the SEO Law Fellowship program, which provides incoming law students with exemplary training to enhance academic performance in law school, and
a paid internship with a top law firm during the summer before law school; and SEO Alternative Investments which provides education, exposure, training and mentoring opportunities to talented professionals traditionally  underrepresented in the alternative investments sector. Nearly 90% of AI Fellows have secured jobs in the alternative investments sector.

Visit SEO’s profile on the Charity Navigator website here.