NAPLES — Books for Collier Kids (BCK), a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing a steady stream of new books to children in low-income families throughout Collier County, is pleased to announce that the all-volunteer-run nonprofit has received the coveted 4-Star Charity Navigator rating.

The 4-star rating is the highest awarded by Charity Navigator and verifies that Books for Collier Kids, with a 91% grade, “exceeds industry standards and outperforms most charities.”

“With more than 1.6 million books distributed since 2005, our partners and students know we are dedicated to ensuring every child has access to books in the home to read, share and cherish,” explains BCK Chair Sallie Williams. “This rating, however, provides our volunteers, donors and the general community with information about how we operate as an organization. We are proud to receive this top rating!”

With nearly 200,000 nonprofits rated, Charity Navigator is the most-utilized independent evaluator of nonprofit organizations. Awarded on an annual basis, the “comprehensive ratings shine a light on the cost-effectiveness and overall health of a charity’s programs, including measures of stability, efficiency, and sustainability. The metrics inform donors of not just where their dollars are going but what their dollars are doing.”

Books for Collier Kids provides new books to children, addressing one of the most important factors affecting literacy: access to books. Launched in 2005 as First Book-Collier County, BCK has distributed more than 1.6 million new, high-quality, age-appropriate and personalized books to pre-K, kindergarten, first- and second-grade students in-need to enhance their literacy development. Based on economic need within individual schools, BCK is moving towards providing books to all pre-K through 2nd grade children.

For more information and to support Books for Collier Kids, please call Board Chair Sallie Williams at 239.394.4062, or visit www.BooksforCollierKids.org.