The B-Givers Standard
Five principles. Verified practice. An independent standard that holds funders to the same accountability they expect from their partners.
Five Core Principles
Each principle is adapted from the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness and operationalized for the organizational level.
Partner-Led Programming
Ownership (Paris Declaration Principle 1)
Partner-Led Programming means that funders actively defer to their grantee partners on questions of priority, strategy, and approach. It requires funders to recognize that local and regional organizations possess contextual knowledge, community relationships, and programmatic expertise that external funders cannot replicate.
At the organizational level, this principle demands that funders design their grant-making processes to follow — not lead — their partners' organizational plans. It means moving away from pre-determined project templates and toward flexible, responsive funding that enables partners to adapt and respond to their own contexts.
Key Commitment Areas
- Funding decisions are driven by partner organizational priorities, not funder-defined project templates
- Grant timelines and deliverables are co-designed with partners
- Funders demonstrate evidence of adapting their strategies in response to partner feedback
- Core/institutional funding is offered alongside project-specific grants
- Partners are involved in funder strategy and policy development
Certification Levels
Two levels of certification, each representing a distinct threshold of verified practice.
B-Givers Certified
B-Givers Certified Gold
Recertification Timeline
Annual self-assessment
Complete the abbreviated annual self-assessment to confirm continued compliance.
Full recertification
Undergo the full certification process, including updated documentation review.
Continuous improvement
Access to peer learning, resources, and the B-Givers Certified community of practice.
Critical Disqualifiers
The following conditions make an organization ineligible for certification, regardless of their assessment score. These represent fundamental breaches of the values that B-Givers Certified upholds.
Evidence of deliberate misrepresentation in the self-assessment or documentation
Active legal proceedings related to financial misconduct or fraud
Documented pattern of retaliatory behavior toward grantees who provide critical feedback
Failure to disclose material conflicts of interest in grant-making decisions
Systematic non-payment or significant delay in grant disbursements without justification
Certification Pathway
From first contact to certified status — a clear, structured process designed to be rigorous but navigable.
Expression of Interest
Submit your EOI form. Our team reviews eligibility and contacts you within 10 business days.
Self-Assessment
Complete the full B-Givers Certified Self-Assessment Tool, covering all five principles.
Evidence Submission
Submit supporting documentation, policies, and evidence for each principle.
Verification & Decision
Independent review panel assesses your submission. Level 2 includes an on-site audit.
Certification
Receive your certification, badge, and listing in the B-Givers Certified Members Directory.
Recertification
Annual self-assessment, full recertification every 3 years to maintain your status.