JNF Stands Alone at the Top of Charity Watchdog World

Contact: Jodi Bodner • JNF Director of Communications • 212-879-9305 ext. 221 •jbodner@jnf.org

October 27, 2008 -- New York -- The Better Business Bureau (BBB) just released its listing of seal holder charities that meet its 20 rigorous BBB Wise Giving Alliance Standards. Only three Jewish organizations made the list. Jewish National Fund (JNF) was one of them.

Of those three Jewish organizations only two are listed by American Institute of Philanthropy (AIP). JNF is one of them but only JNF is top-rated.Of those two organizations, only one earned four stars from another charity watchdog, Charity Navigator. That organization is JNF.

“As an educated donor it is always important to not only know as much as you can about the organizations to which you give money, but to know those organizations are lean so that your money goes to the mission and not to the man,” said Art Silber, JNF’s national treasurer. “We work hard here at JNF to meet the very high standards our donors deserve and we are gratified that it is recognized by those in the field, especially by such reputable and important players in the business.”

"JNF never loses sight of what the money we’re raising is for,” said JNF President Stanley Chesley. “To meet such strict standards time and again and by multiple charity watchdogs says we’re doing it right and should set people’s minds at ease especially in these uncertain economic times.”

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JEWISH NATIONAL FUND (JNF) began in 1901 as a dream and vision to reestablish a homeland in Israel for Jewish people everywhere. Jews the world over collected coins in iconic JNF Blue Boxes, purchasing land and planting trees until ultimately, their dream of a Jewish homeland was a reality. JNF gives all generations of Jews a unique voice in building a prosperous future for the land of Israel and its people.

JNF embodies both heart and action; our work is varied in scope but singular in benefit. We strive to bring an enhanced quality of life to all of Israel’s residents, and translate these advancements to the world beyond. JNF is greening the desert with millions of trees, building thousands of parks, creating new communities and cities for generations of Israelis to call home, bolstering Israel’s water supply, helping develop innovative arid-agriculture techniques, and educating both young and old about the founding and importance of Israel and Zionism.

JNF is a registered 501(c)(3) organization and United Nations NGO, which continuously earns top ratings from charity overseers.

For more information on JNF, call 888-JNF-0099 or visit www.jnf.org.