What donors see
Everything at Platinum, checked. Each check shows what it was checked against and when: a public register, a document from an authority, an auditor or a bank, or the organisation's own records. The seal shows its dates and links to a live page. It does not rate impact or how well money is spent.
What we check
- V1
Registration exists, is active, legal name matchesChecked against: register / issuer
- V2
Financial statements genuine, cover the stated year, carry the band's assurance; headline figures, and the pay totals (P4) and reserves (P5) where the statements show them, match; auditor or examiner standing checked where a register existsChecked against: third party; register (SSM lodged statements)
- V3
Governing body matches the latest filed record or AGM minutesChecked against: register / organisation
- V4
Accountable person's identity sighted (never retained) and authorised by resolution or by a letter from two other office-bearersChecked against: organisation + sighting
- V5
Permitted to collect where the law requires: CLBG Registrar approval to solicit; state permit for Islamic-purpose collectionChecked against: issuer
- V6
Every published giving method pays into an account in the organisation's own legal nameChecked against: third party (bank; gateway KYC)
- V7
The last statutory annual return was made within its deadlineChecked against: register / issuer / organisation
- V8
Minimum governance norms metChecked against: organisation
- V9
Tax status, only if claimed: an LHDN s44(6) row covers today. A failing claim is removed before the grantChecked against: register
- V10
Two office-bearers attest the evidence is genuine and completeChecked against: organisation
- V11
No open substantiated concern (ADR 0017); no breach of the Standard's termsChecked against: DonorCARE's record
Minimum governance norms
- At least 3 voting members
- No more than one-third paid by the organisation or related to one another, and the chair and treasurer different, unrelated people
- The governing body met at least twice in the last 12 months, minuted
- An AGM (or equivalent) held within its legal or constitutional period
- The conflict-of-interest policy adopted by the governing body, with conflicts minuted
How it works
- Hold Platinum, then choose Apply for verification in your editor. Verification opens in invitation cohorts sized to reviewer capacity.
- Upload the evidence the checklist asks for your legal form and size.
- A reviewer decides within 20 working days, and a second reviewer confirms.
- If something is missing, you get a written list of what would satisfy it and 60 days to provide it. Nothing is published while you do.
- Once granted, your seal shows its dates and a live verification page.
Keeping it
A verification lasts 12 months, but never longer than 18 months after the year your checked statements cover. Renewal opens 90 days before it ends. If a reviewer is still working on your renewal, your seal stays up for up to 60 days past its end. We re-check your registration and any tax status every quarter.
If something changes
Tell us within 30 days if your registration, chair, treasurer, legal name or bank details change. A problem found on a public register (for example a cancelled registration) suspends the seal at once. Anything else gives you 14 days to reply first. You may appeal any decision in two stages, the second to our external Advisory Panel.
Terms
Applying means accepting the terms of Verified by DonorCARE. In plain words, they will say:
- The evidence you send is genuine, and you are authorised to send it.
- You show the mark only as we supply it, through the live badge, and claim nothing beyond what the seal says.
- We may suspend or withdraw a verification under the rules on this page, and you may appeal.
The full terms are being settled with our lawyers. Applications open once they are published here; until then nobody is asked to accept them.
Free, and independent
There is no fee. Customers get no faster or easier path. Reviewers are outside sales, declare conflicts on every review, and accept no gifts.
Good to know
Most delays come from mismatched names: the registrar's record, the statements and the bank account should all carry the same legal name.
Share it
Only the live badge. It changes by itself if the seal lapses, and no static image of the Verified by DonorCARE mark is ever offered. Print uses your seal code and a QR to your verification page.
Sample post: “We are Verified by DonorCARE: our information has been checked against its sources. See what was checked: <link>”
Read the independence policy
