It is not easy for charities to qualify to use AIP's Charity Rating Logo by achieving Top-Rated status from AIP. Our standards for evaluating charities are considered the most stringent in the sector. Unlike other sources of charity information that simply repackage or repeat information self-reported by charities in their tax forms or other documents, AIP conducts an in-depth analysis of a charity's financial activities. We scrutinize the numbers so that we can provide donors with meaningful, independent information as to how their contributions to charity are being used.

Unlike other charity review organizations, we at AIP strongly believe it is a conflict of interest to charge a charity to publicize its rating or evaluation, or to use a seal or logo. For this reason, we allow AIP Top-Rated charities to use the Logo completely free of charge. Follow the link to The AIP Difference to learn more about what sets AIP's independent charity ratings apart from other sources of information. AIP's current list of Top-Rated charities can be viewed on the Top-Rated page.

American Institute of Philanthropy
Charity Rating Logo
License & Terms of Use

An organization included by the American Institute of Philanthropy ("AIP" or "Licensor") in the list of "Top-Rated Charities" on AIP's web site, charitywatch.org, has permission to use the AIP Charity Rating Logo (the "Logo") in its web, print, and other materials for the purpose of publicizing its rating subject to the License Terms of Use. By using the Logo, your organization ("Licensee") agrees to abide by the following Terms of Use:

1. Restrictions

    A. The Logo may be used only in conjunction with Licensee's current letter grade rating, as posted on AIP's web site, charitywatch.org. The Logo is intended for use only by the entity or entities rated by AIP, and not for use by related entities not covered by AIP's rating. If Licensee uses the Logo in its electronic form, Licensee must actively link the Logo to AIP's homepage, charitywatch.org.

    B. Licensee may make necessary technical modifications of the Logo in its electronic form as required for display of the Logo on its web site or print materials, including altering the size and resolution of the Logo. Licensee may not make any other modifications to the Logo without the written consent of Licensor.

    C. This License is provided to Licensee at the sole discretion of AIP. Licensee is not authorized to transfer, sublicense, assign, or otherwise distribute the License to third-parties without the written consent of AIP.

2. Limitation of Liability & Disclaimer

    A. Charities are designated as Top-Rated at the sole discretion of AIP. AIP reserves the right to determine the criteria for Top-Rated status and to assign Top-Rated status to a charity. AIP also reserves the right to revoke the Top-Rated status of a charity at any time, for any reason, at its sole discretion.

    B. Except to the extent required by applicable law, in no event will Licensor be liable to Licensee on any legal theory for any special, incidental, consequential, punitive, or exemplary damages arising out of this License or the use of the Logo. Licensee shall hold harmless AIP and its directors, officers and employees against any action that may be brought against Licensee as a result of the use of the Logo. Licensee shall also indemnify AIP and its directors, officers and employees against any action that may be brought against AIP or its directors, officers or employees as a result of Licensee's use of the Logo.

    C. Unless otherwise mutually agreed to by the parties in writing, Licensor offers the Logo as-is and makes no representations or warranties of any kind concerning the Logo, express or implied, statutory or otherwise, including without limitation, warranties of title, fitness for a particular purpose, noninfringement, or the absence of latent or other defects, accuracy, or the presence or absence of errors, whether or not discoverable.

3. Termination

    A. Use of the Logo does not constitute ownership, in whole or in part, of the Logo by the Licensee. All permissions and authorizations granted herein are revocable by AIP without cause at any time upon the giving of notice of revocation.

    B. This License and the rights granted hereunder will terminate automatically upon any breach by Licensee of the terms of this License.

    C. Subject to the above terms and conditions, the License granted here is perpetual. Notwithstanding the above, Licensor reserves the right to license the Logo under different terms or to stop licensing the Logo at any time. This License will continue in full force and effect unless terminated as stated above.