IAVI Receives 4-Star Charity Navigator Rating for Eighth Year in a Row

 August 6, 2009. For the eighth consecutive year, the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) has received a four-star rating from Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent evaluator of charities. This rating indicates that IAVI, a nonprofit organization dedicated solely to AIDS vaccine development, excels in managing its finances efficiently and effectively. That is to say, nearly 90 percent of IAVI’s finances go exclusively toward ensuring the development of a safe, effective, preventive AIDS vaccine.

 “We are honored to receive this recognition from Charity Navigator,” said Seth F. Berkley, MD, President and CEO at IAVI. “In an industry that relies entirely on the generosity of its donors, IAVI is grateful for the acknowledgement that we continue to effectively use our contributions to accelerate AIDS vaccine research and development.”

Founded in 2001, Charity Navigator works to guide intelligent giving and to support a more responsive philanthropic marketplace. Charity Navigator’s ratings are based on a rigorous assessment of how efficiently charities use their support today and how these organizations grow their services over time. Specifically, the ratings are based on four performance categories, which include an evaluation of program, administration and fundraising expenses, as well as overall fundraising efficiency.

To date, IAVI has helped to translate innovative technologies into six vaccine candidates that have entered human trials in 11 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe and North America. In addition, IAVI has opened a state-of-the-art laboratory in Brooklyn, NY that will support the early development of novel and promising AIDS vaccine concepts. Most of these leading concepts will come from IAVI’s newly established HIV Neutralizing Antibody Consortia at the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California. This center will link to an expanded international scientific consortium, known as the Neutralizing Antibody Consortium, which was created and managed by IAVI. Together with partners,

IAVI also researches and advocates for improved public policies to help accelerate the development of a vaccine and ensure global access to a future vaccine.