The International Standard for Funders Who Mean It
B-Givers Certified recognizes funders and donor organizations that have demonstrated genuine commitment to partner-led, outcome-focused, and transparent grant-making — verified against a rigorous international standard.
What Is B-Givers Certified?
B-Givers Certified is an independent international certification program for funders, foundations, bilateral donors, corporate giving programs, and philanthropic organizations. It recognizes those who have embedded the principles of responsible, effective, and partner-centered giving into how they operate.
Grounded in the five core principles of the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness (2005), the standard has been adapted to the organizational level — making it applicable to any funder, anywhere in the world, regardless of size or geography.
Certification is not a badge for good intentions. It is evidence of verified practice — assessed through a rigorous self-assessment, documentation review, and independent verification audit.
Learn our story
Five Core Principles
Every certified organization demonstrates verified commitment to all five principles — adapted from the Paris Declaration for the organizational level.
Partner-Led Programming
Funders follow the lead of their partners in defining priorities, approaches, and solutions.
Learn moreFunder-to-Partner Alignment
Funding strategies align with partner organizational plans, not the other way around.
Learn moreDonor Coordination and Collaboration
Funders actively coordinate with peers to reduce duplication and administrative burden.
Learn moreOutcome-Focused Grant-Making
Grants are structured around meaningful outcomes, not compliance-heavy deliverables.
Learn moreTransparent and Reciprocal Partnership
Funders practice the same transparency and accountability they expect from grantees.
Learn moreWhy Get Certified?
Certification is not an end in itself. It is a commitment to continuous improvement and a signal to the world that your organization holds itself to the highest standard.
Global Credibility
Signal to partners, peers, and the public that your organization meets a rigorous international standard for responsible giving.
Stronger Grant-Making
The certification process surfaces gaps and opportunities in your internal practices, driving measurable improvement.
Partner Trust
Demonstrate to grantee organizations that you are a funder worth working with — one that listens, aligns, and delivers.
Community of Practice
Join a global network of certified funders committed to continuous improvement and sector-wide accountability.
Two Levels of Recognition
The certification framework offers two tiers, each representing a distinct level of commitment and verified practice.
B-Givers Certified
- Score of 60–99 points (34–55%)
- No principle scoring zero
- Principle 5 minimum 50%
- Self-assessment + documentation review
B-Givers Certified Gold
- Score of 140+ points (79–100%)
- No principle below 60%
- Principle 5 minimum 75%
- Mandatory third-party verification audit
What Certified Funders Say
B-Givers Certified gave us a structured framework to examine our own practices honestly. The process was rigorous, and the certification has opened doors with partners who now see us differently.
Dr. Amara Diallo
Director of Grants, Meridian Foundation
West Africa
This is the certification the sector has been waiting for. It holds funders to the same standards we've always expected of our grantees. We're proud to be among the first certified organizations.
Sarah Lindqvist
Head of International Partnerships
Nordic Development Fund
The self-assessment process alone was transformative. We identified three significant areas for improvement before even submitting our application.
Carlos Mendes
VP of Philanthropic Strategy
Global Impact Alliance
Is your organization ready to set a new standard?
Join the growing community of funders who are demonstrating — not just declaring — their commitment to responsible, effective, and partner-centered giving.