Edwards, Colo. • April 27, 2010 – Can Do Multiple Sclerosis, formerly The Heuga Center for Multiple Sclerosis, has earned its third consecutive four-star rating, the highest rating possible, for its ability to efficiently manage and grow its finances from nonprofit evaluator Charity Navigator.  Can Do MS is in the top 13 percent of the more than 5,000 nonprofits evaluated by Charity Navigator.

“We’re especially proud to commit over 80 percent of our dollars to our programs and services,” said Kim Sharkey, CEO of Can Do MS. “Our rating is a testament of Can Do MS’s commitment to financial responsibility.  In this economic climate, it’s more important than ever for our donors to know their dollars are used efficiently for our mission of empowering people living with MS to transform and improve their quality of life. Charity Navigator’s recognition of our accomplishments verifies we’re meeting the high standards we set for our operations.”

Charity Navigator is the nation’s largest and most-utilized, independent evaluator of nonprofit organizations. Each year Charity Navigator rates more than 5,000 nonprofits based on operational efficiency and organizational capacity.  The ratings show donors how charities use their dollars, and to what extent charities grow programs and services over time.

“Only 13 percent of the charities we rate have received at least three consecutive four-star evaluations, indicating that Can Do MS consistently executes its mission in a fiscally responsible way, and outperforms most other charities in America. This “exceptional” designation from Charity Navigator differentiates Can Do MS from its peers and demonstrates to the public it is worthy of their trust,” said Ken Berger, president and CEO of Charity Navigator. 

Charity Navigator’s evaluations are based on the nonprofit organization’s annual tax return.  Each year Charity Navigator’s team of professional analysts examines tens of thousands of nonprofit financial documents to help donors give wisely.  Donors rely on the star-rating system to guide their dollars to fiscally-responsible charities.

A national nonprofit organization based in Edwards, Colo., Can Do MS is an innovative provider of lifestyle empowerment programs that empower people with MS and their support partners to transform and improve their quality of life. For more information, please visit the organization’s Web site at www.mscando.org or call 970-926-1270.