Candid Seals of Transparency logo

    Candid Seals of Transparency

    Candid

    GuideStar shares non-profit info for informed charitable giving.

    The Candid Seals of Transparency costs $0 USD, takes approximately 1 weeks, and requires around 4 hours of study. Over 100,000+ organizations have earned this certification worldwide. Renewal costs $0 USD every 12 months.

    For Organizations
    Social
    Financial
    Education

    Key Strengths

    • Free to obtain — no cost barrier for nonprofits of any size
    • Tiered Bronze-to-Platinum structure rewards increasing levels of transparency
    • Widely recognized by donors, foundations, and institutional funders
    • Listed on GuideStar/Candid, a premier destination for nonprofit research
    • Signals organizational credibility and accountability without a complex audit process
    • Helps nonprofits attract donors and secure grants by surfacing key data

    Ideal For

    This certification is ideal for U.S.-based nonprofit organizations seeking to build credibility and trust with donors, foundations, and grant-makers. It is especially valuable for smaller or lesser-known nonprofits that want to differentiate themselves by demonstrating openness and accountability in a competitive fundraising landscape.

    Target Audiences

    Non-profits

    Relevant Roles

    Consultant

    Industries

    Non-profit

    Alignment & Recognition

    Scope

    Values/Processes
    Performance

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Quick Facts

    Type

    Certification

    Regions
    North America
    Languages

    English

    Established

    1994

    Certified Organizations

    100K+

    Digital Badge

    Available

    Cost Breakdown

    Registration / Initial$0
    Renewal (every 12 mo)$0
    First-year total$0

    How to Display This Recognition

    Public Seal/Badge
    Online Registry

    Sources & Citations

    Content on this page is AI-enriched from primary sources.

    Candid

    Last verified Mar 8, 2026