Youth Haven earns Four-Star Charity Navigator Rating and Candid Platinum Seal

Youth Haven, Collier County’s only emergency and residential shelter for abused, neglected and homeless children and teens ages 6 to 21, has earned two of the nation’s highest nonprofit recognitions, receiving a Four-Star Rating from Charity Navigator and the Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid. These designations recognize organizations that demonstrate exceptional accountability, transparency and measurable impact.

“These independent recognitions reflect our team’s unwavering commitment to serving children and teens with excellence while remaining accountable to the donors, partners and community members who make our mission possible,” said Linda Goldfield, chief executive officer of Youth Haven. “They reinforce that supporters can give with confidence, knowing their investment is helping transform the lives of vulnerable youth in Southwest Florida.”

Youth Haven currently holds an overall score of 92% from Charity Navigator, the nation’s largest independent charity evaluator. The organization assesses nonprofits across four key areas, including accountability and finance, impact and measurement, leadership and planning, and culture and community. Organizations earning three- or four-star ratings are designated as charities donors can “Give with Confidence.”

Youth Haven also earned Candid’s Platinum Seal of Transparency, the highest level of recognition available through Candid’s nonprofit profile program, formerly known as GuideStar. The designation comes under Candid’s newly enhanced rating framework, which raised expectations for the depth and quality of information nonprofits publicly share about their mission, leadership, programs, financials, goals, strategies and outcomes. Maintaining Platinum status demonstrates Youth Haven’s ongoing commitment to transparency and measurable impact.

Additionally, Youth Haven maintains accreditation through the Council on Accreditation (COA), reflecting its continued commitment to nationally recognized standards for quality human services.

“As nonprofit evaluation standards continue to evolve, we’re proud to meet and exceed these rigorous benchmarks,” said Goldfield. “These distinctions demonstrate our commitment to responsible stewardship and strengthen the confidence our community places in Youth Haven as we continue providing home, hope and healing to children and teens in need.”