(SUMMIT, NJ) -- The Visual Arts Center of New Jersey (VACNJ) is proud to announce that its strong financial health and ongoing accountability and transparency has earned a Four-Star Rating from Charity Navigator. This rating designates VACNJ as an official “Give with Confidence” charity, indicating that the organization is using its donations effectively based on Charity Navigator’s criteria. Charity Navigator is America’s largest and most utilized independent charity evaluator. Since 2001, the Charity Navigator has been an unbiased and trusted source of information for more than 11 million donors annually.

Charity Navigator analyzes non-profit performance based on four key indicators, referred to as beacons. Currently, non-profits can earn scores for the Impact and Results, Accountability and Finance, Culture and Community, and Leadership and Adaptability beacons.

“We are delighted to provide Visual Arts Center of New Jersey with third-party accreditation that validates their operational excellence,” said Michael Thatcher, President and CEO of Charity Navigator. “The Four-Star Rating is the highest possible rating an organization can achieve. We are eager to see the good work that Visual Arts Center of New Jersey is able to accomplish in the years ahead.”

“Our Four-Star Charity Navigator rating is further validation that our supporters can trust our commitment to best practices in governance and fiscal responsibility,” said Melanie Cohn, VACNJ Executive Director. “We hope that it will introduce our work to new supporters who are passionate to help us advance our mission to create an inclusive and welcoming community where lives are transformed and enriched through the shared experience of art.”

VACNJ’s rating and other information about charitable giving are available free of charge on charitynavigator.org.

For 90 years, the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey has been exclusively dedicated to viewing, making, and learning about contemporary art. Recognized as a leading non-profit arts organization, the Art Center’s renowned Studio School, acclaimed exhibitions, and educational outreach initiatives serve thousands of youths, families, seniors, and people with special needs every year.

The Visual Arts Center of New Jersey is located at 68 Elm Street in Summit, NJ. Gallery hours: Monday– Thursday, 10:00am–8:00pm; Friday & Saturday, 10:00am–5:00pm; and Sunday, 11:00am–4:00pm. Please call 908.273.9121 to confirm holiday hours.

Major support for the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey is provided by The Wilf Family Foundations; New Jersey State Council on the Arts; The Estate of Pamela Hauptfleisch; the Institute of Museum and Library Services; and the Art Center community of supporters.