Communities In Schools of Houston earns top rating by Charity Navigator again

The nation’s largest evaluator of charities gives CIS of Houston its top rating - 4 stars - for financial strength, fiscal transparency and accountability

 (HOUSTON) — While supporting a record number of students in schools across the Houston area, Communities In Schools of Houston again earned Charity Navigator’s top rating for its financial strength, transparency and accountability.  This marks the fifth consecutive year that CIS of Houston earned the 4-star fiscal responsibility distinction from Charity Navigator, the nation’s largest independent evaluator of charities. 

CIS Student Support Specialists, commonly known by students and families as CIS counselors, have been called to serve nearly 160 campuses to help 125,000 students in the new 2019-2020 school year, Aldine ISD, Alief ISD, Fort Bend ISD, Houston Independent School District, Lone Star Colleges, and Spring Branch ISD. From crisis intervention, trauma and mental health counseling to providing basic necessities and doing whatever it takes to set students up for success in college and future careers, CIS Student Support Specialists are embedded on campuses to break down any barrier to student well-being and help educators create school cultures where it’s OK to reach out for help.  

“Communities In Schools of Houston’s exceptional 4-star rating sets it apart from its peers and demonstrates its trustworthiness to the public,” Michael Thatcher, president and CEO of Charity Navigator, said. “This adds CIS of Houston to a preeminent group of charities working to overcome our world’s most pressing challenges. Based on its 4-star rating, people can trust that their donations are going to a financially responsible and ethical charity when they decide to support CIS of Houston.”  

CIS Student Support Specialists dedicate themselves to helping teachers and staff identify and provide needed support—at a moment’s notice—to students who may be struggling through issues on their own, and their work would not be possible without the support of CIS’ caring donors, according to CIS of Houston CEO Lisa Descant. 

“It’s our responsibility to effectively and efficiently manage the financial resources entrusted to us to fund our work, which is proven to help students succeed in school and in life. This is a responsibility we take very seriously because the support provided by our generous partners directly benefits the students, families and school communities we serve,” Descant said.