The Non-Profit Alliance of Bermuda has released a “toolkit” aimed at helping charitable donors consider accreditation for their funding choices.

The Accreditation and Certification Donor Toolkit is designed to offer guidance on how designations can be used to strengthen funding strategies, boost confidence in the capacity of recipients and encourage improvements in the non-profit sector.

Nicola Paugh, NAB executive director, said: “Certification and accreditation are internationally recognised markers of excellence.

“When donors acknowledge these achievements, they not only reward quality and accountability, they create a tangible financial incentive for other organisations to raise their standards. This is how we move the sector forward, together.”

Certification and accreditation are awarded under the Bermuda National Standards Committee framework, which demonstrates that a non-profit has undergone rigorous independent review.

Accreditation is intended to ensure charities have strong governance and financial controls, allowing donors to make informed decisions about where to give their funds to have the greatest impact.

An NAB spokeswoman said: “In Bermuda, major funders such as the Bermuda Foundation and Centennial Bermuda Foundation already factor BNSC designations into their grant-making.

“Internationally, philanthropic foundations have long integrated third-party standards into their funding frameworks to reduce risk and encourage excellence.”

The donor toolkit is online at www.nonprofitalliance.bm.