The session featured information about Candid’s platforms, its Seals of Transparency program, and how providing an organization’s data and information to Candid can empower a nonprofit’s work. The Foundation shared how it and peer funders use demographic data (collected by Candid) to inform decisions and why this work matters for the charitable sector.
Overall, the session was informative, engaging, and full of practical reasons why it makes sense for nonprofits to obtain at least a Bronze Seal of Transparency (organizations who claim their profile can achieve a Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum Seal and submit their demographic information). It doesn’t take long to complete the questions associated with the profile and the Candid profile is a way for organizations to share their story with both institutional and individual funders and hopefully, decrease the amount of time they spend on these questions in applications for funding.
Telling an organization’s story stood out to The Presser Foundation team as one of the highlights of the call. Brian Schultz, Candid’s Director of Partnerships, shared how claiming a Candid profile and inputting the demographics of an organization’s staff and board provides another reference source and opportunity for nonprofits to share their story and spread awareness about what they do and why it matters. While we often use words to tell a story, we cannot forget that data points do as well. At the Foundation, we believe that together, narrative data and quantitative data can paint an organization’s picture.
By filling in a Candid profile, organizations can share data and information and thus, can inform potential and current donors about their work. It’s an opportunity that doesn’t take long but can have far-reaching implications – imagine if a new donor is convinced to give to you because of a Seal of Transparency that you received or because of your commitment to equity through publishing your demographic data.
Brian also highlighted several other key points about filling out a Candid profile and how it can help systematize data collection and/or raise awareness for an organization:
- Forty percent of foundations ask the same information in their application. With more and more funders signing up for Demographics via Candid and other Candid resources, nonprofits who fill out their profile may be able to skip answering application questions that have been integrated into an application via a partnership between a grants management system and Candid.
- The Candid profile is free and accessible to anyone who looks for it.
- The Candid profile doesn’t rate any organization based on its data or information.
- The Facebook fundraiser is linked to an organization’s Candid profile. Donor advised funds also use Candid profiles for reference.
- For nonprofits with annual revenue or expenses less than $1 million and earn a Gold Seal of Transparency, they receive a free year of access to Foundation Directory Essential, which can be used to search funding opportunities.
There were a number of other compelling reasons that Brian shared, and staff were pleased to see that organizations responded positively about claiming and filling out their profile. We hope that those organizations (and others who were unable to attend) do in order to increase their online presence, raise awareness about their work, and (hopefully) strengthen their donor base!
For the Foundation, we are pleased to fill out our information and receive a Gold Seal of Transparency. It’s an important practice to ensure accountability and transparency in the sector, and we encourage other institutional funders to complete their profiles.
Overall, this Next Movement reminded staff about the importance of curating events that feature expert voices. Whether those are experts in the field (DiverseForce, Candid) or experts in nonprofit work (grantee partners), these organizations are aware and knowledgeable about trends in the field, their own communities and audiences, and best practices. It’s been enjoyable to work with them on these Next Movement events – staff always learn something and are grateful for the time, talent, and testimony that these partners bring to the table.
We have many ideas for future Next Movements and are eager to plan 2024!
