The designation process can take up to a year for organisations that are ready for review. Note if organisations are intersted in the process, but need more intensive readiness support, they can contact the Nonprofit Alliance for more information on the PROPEL Programme.
The following are the steps required to complete the designation process:
- Applicant Assessment of Readiness: Individual applicants are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the COA Standards of Excellence to determine if they are ready to proceed with a designation process. The certification, accreditation and service-specific standards and associated checklists can help organisations understand if they are ready to proceed. If they need more support to prepare, the can contact the Nonprofit Alliance for more information on the PROPEL programme.
- Application: When organisations are ready for review, they submit their application. This includes the appropriate designation track: accreditation or certification based on the criteria.
- Fees: The service fee is determined based on organisational size and track. There is a sliding scale for fees as well as a subsidised fee schedule for registered charities. Fees must be paid before the review proceeds. Email admin@nonprofitlliance.bm for the fees schedule.
- Support and Readiness Preparation: Cohort sessions and one-to-one support are provided to assist organisations in preparing for their self-assessment submission.
- Self-assessment: Organisations must submit their certification or accreditation self-assessment by the annual deadline. This includes a completed self-assessment, along with the submission of all evidence to demonstrate compliance with the standards through our online portal.
- Review: The reviews are completed by two independent reviewers. Review pairs may include reviewers who are referred from our U.S. accreditation partner, Council on Accreditation (COA) or local reviewers. The review includes a desk review of submissions, interviews and an on-site visit (accreditation only).
- Committee Approval: Once the reviewers have completed their review, they will submit their recommendations for designation to the Nonprofit Alliance Standards Committee (NASC). This includes the submission of scorecard ratings by each standard. The NASC approves all final designations.
- Maintenance reporting: Certification and Accreditation last for four years. At the midway point, after two years, maintenance reporting on a subset of standards is required. No fees are charged for maintenance.
- Reapplication every four years: Organisations must re-apply for certification or accreditation the year before the expiry of their current status.