Quality Accreditation
Our Quality Accreditation Systems
At the Community Foundation we recognise the importance of Quality Accreditation systems.
These systems are managed by outside organisations, and assess all aspects of our governance, strategy, operational procedures and principles. They are a way that we can test ourselves, identify areas for continuous improvement, and monitor the impact that our work is having. These systems are also a way of providing assurance to our existing and prospective partners, donors, fund-holders, and service users that we are able to deliver a high quality, ethical service.
We have three quality accreditation marks:
- Accreditation from our national membership body, UKCF, which ensures that all registered, recognised and accredited community foundations operate to similar recognised standards which can provide assurance to partners, stakeholders and funders
- Accreditation from the British Assessment Bureau to International Standards Organisation defined principles, (ISO9001).
- We are a founder member of the Good Business Charter , who recognise, champion and encourage responsible business behaviour for the benefit of people and planet.
We are the only accredited community foundation working in Staffordshire & Shropshire.
In addition to the three quality accreditation marks, we are members of several professional bodies which are designed to promote and provide assurance as to our working practices and procedures. These include:
- The Living Wage Foundation, as a Living Wage accredited employer, meaning that we pay all of our staff and contractors at a rate that meets or exceeds the Living Wage, as set by the Living Wage Foundation
- Living Wage Foundation as a Living Wage Funder. This means that when people apply to us for funding for staff posts, we will alwasy pay at a rate that meets the Living Wage as recommended by the Living Wage Foundation.
- We are members of the Fundraising Regulator as a large charity paying the Fundraising Levy. We also subscribe to and follow the Fundraising Code of Practice.
- Institute for Voluntary Action Research (IVAR), who work with charities, foundations and public agencies to strengthen communities across the UK through action research. We are members as part of our commitment to their Open and Trusting Grant-Making funders pledge.
- NCVO, the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, the UK wide representative association for charities and the voluntary sector
- Our Chief Executive is a member of ACEVO (Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations), which is a membership organisation that supports and inspires civil society leaders
