Research by the Charities Aid Foundation Southern Africa (CAFSA) has revealed that some non-profit organisations (NPOs), while rendering critical services, don’t have the compliance resources or expertise to be deemed grant ready and, as a result, they are often overlooked by local and international funders which require detailed documents and stringent processes to be in place in order for funds to be allocated.
“For any NPO in Southern Africa seeking international funding, it is absolutely crucial that they are properly validated,” says Ted Hart, president and CEO of CAF America and president of CAF Canada.
“Validation protects both the funder and the NPO, while enabling a channel of assistance to those in need. This stamp of approval enables NPOs to be eligible for future international funding opportunities.”
CAFSA’s new Validate4Good offers a solution
In a bid to improve its already well-established validations offering for NPOs in Southern Africa, CAFSA has launched a new online platform called Validate4Good. In helping NPOs to become compliant, Validate4Good ensures that they meet donor requirements in order to be eligible to receive much-needed local and international funds and support.
“One of CAFSA’s most important value propositions is our validation offering’s strict adherence to governance and compliance imperatives,” says Gill Bates, CEO of CAFSA. “Because of the risk involved in donating money, including money laundering and fraud, we have strong controls in place to manage regulatory compliance, risk and reputation.”
Diligence and care
NPOs wanting to be validated on Validate4Good have to supply several important pieces of information. This includes their founding documents, details on their board of directors, Section 18A certificates, audited financial statements, tax clearance certificates, NPO certificates, and evidence of anti-terrorism checks.
“This level of diligence and care has been ingrained in the fabric of our practice for decades,” continues Bates.
“Through Validate4Good, we have streamlined the submission process and merged agility with compliance. In simple and innovative ways, we ensure that donors’ compliance needs are met, while providing NPOs with the critical funds necessary to assist the communities they serve.”
Click here for more information on Validate4Good.
