Credibility means the integrity and trustworthiness of your organisation.

Q. What do donors and partners want to see?

1. your organisation is well-governed, well-managed and accountable 
2. your organisation is using funds effectively
3. your organisation is doing good work

Q. How can you demonstrate your credibility to donors?

Use this first Checklist to help your organisation demonstrate that it is well-governed, well-managed and accountable.

Demonstrate that your organisation is well-governed, well-managed and accountable Highlight your organisation’s experience and qualifications, and promote your transparent governance structure and accountability through these documents and approaches:

What	Details	Y or N
Articles / Certificate of Incorporation	Do you have formal documents establishing your organisation’s charitable, non-profit and non-governmental status? These prove you are fully registered and recognized as an organization by your government.
Governing document	Do you have a one-pager describing: – your governance and constitution – the roles and responsibilities of the trustees and board members/volunteers (who should be well-known and well-connected) – the processes for decision-making, membership, transparency and accountability
Financial documents	Do you have: – financial strategies – annual budgets [unqualified] – audited accounts and financial statements – robust financial systems, such as accounting software – financial procedure manuals  These all help guarantee transparency and accountability.
Organizational profile	Have you developed one page describing your mission, values, core objectives and activities? Note: you will have done this earlier, when you completed your Resource Mobilization self-assessment.
Referees	Do you have: – independent and external parties – referees who can provide testimony to your competence and credibility? – evidence of strong partnerships (for example, your sub-partners or prime- partners in a bid) and alliances? These are important to donors.  – other donors’ external audits (providing they are positive!)? They are useful here, too.  – evidence demonstrating your strong relationship with your national government?
Annual report	Do you produce an annual report? This includes: – staff and board lists – sources of financial and other support – highlights of recent achievements, case studies, human interest stories – evidence-based results of your work.
Organogram	Have you a recent organogram? Donors like to see the structure of your organization including roles and responsibilities of members of staff. Do you have CVs of your key staff, detailing their experience and expertise in sexual and reproductive health?
Quality Assurance certificates	Do you have any certificates? National or international quality assurance certificates – for example, for quality of care, achievements and/or the expertise of your organisation and its staff – will reassure donors.
Child Protection Policy	Does your organisation recognize the importance of keeping children and other vulnerable people safe? All stakeholders want to be assured that the most vulnerable adults and children are safe and protected in your care. See more in Block 6 of this Stage, Systems and Policies
Transparency	How can you prove your organisation’s transparency? Compliance with donors’ transparency charters is usually a contractual requirement. Compliance can be supported by using monthly management reports; USAID’s NUPAS (Non-US Organization Pre-Award Survey) assessment is also very comprehensive.
Paying local taxes	Of course you pay your taxes! This is often important for your organisation’s credibility, especially with your national government and local Civil Society Organizations.
IPPF Accreditation	Are you a fully accredited member of IPPF? The checks, standards and responsibilities of membership and accreditation documents demonstrate your membership of a large Federation, and this allows for greater accountability and transparency for you. Your organisation is LOCALLY OWNED; GLOBALLY CONNECTED. This also means that you are part of – and benefit from – a culture of sharing and learning across the Federation, from region to region, and Member Association to Member Association. Do you have accreditation with other well-respected organizations? This is also useful.
Charters against terrorism	Do you have charters that outline your commitment to not fund or receive funds from terrorist individuals or organisations, and these charters are embedded into your organisation’s policy to prevent any engagement with terrorism?