GUIDESTAR INDIA CERTIFICATION BROCHURE

Founded: 2009|Coverage: Pan India| PAN: AABTC0541K | GSN: 555 | FCRA: 084020010 | BRIDGE #: 3581971989

Overview:
GuideStar India (GSI) is India’s largest and most reliable NGO
information repository, strengthening the infrastructure for
India’s philanthropy ecosystem.
Through www.guidestarindia.org, we make available, civil society
information that advances transparency, enables better decision Platinum Seal - Champion Level: Awarded to NGOs
making and encourages charitable giving. GuideStar India for comprehensive transparency, accountability and
enhances the visibility and credibility of Non-Governmental good governance practices. NGO makes exemplary
Organisations (NGOs) by making information on 9000+ NGOs level of public disclosure through GuideStar India’s
Disclosure Template. Third party reference checks
accessible in the public domain. We certified 1750+ NGOs after are carried out. Only NGOs completing the process
thorough due diligence on transparency, public accountability and for Gold Seal within 30 days can apply for Platinum
legal & financial compliance. Crowdfunding portals, CSR portals, with an additional minimum contribution of
giving Apps and donors trust GuideStar India’s certification. Rs15,000 towards capacity building.
Gold Seal – Advanced Level: Awarded to NGOs for advanced accountability
and good governance procedures adopted by the organisation. Organisation
shares in the public domain, its tax returns filed within due date, audited
annual accounts and auditor’s report submitted to tax authorities and
Ministry of Home Affairs (if applicable), for two years. There are no material
qualifications in its audited accounts. NGOs which do not qualify for the Gold
Seal due to minor deviations would be awarded the Silver Seal. However, an
NGO cannot apply for the Silver Seal directly. Minimum contribution towards
capacity building would range from Rs15,000 to 40,000.

Transparency Key – Foundation Level: Awarded

on making basic information disclosures and
verification of filing of annual income tax returns
and voluntary disclosure of the same in the NGOs that wish to apply for renewal of the Platinum, Gold or Silver
public domain. This certification does not require certification may apply for the Platinum Seal directly and complete the process
any contribution towards costs. in 45 days.

NGOs certified as on May 6, 2019:

Certification Based on Based on Based on Based on Based on Total
Review of FY Review of FY Review of Review of FY Review of FY
2017-18 2016-17 FY 2015-16 2014-15 2013-14
Financials Financials Financials Financials Financials

Platinum Seal 11 35 50 20 19 97
Gold Seal 22 115 64 72 39 207
Silver Seal 2 8 2 - - 5
Transparency Badge Discontinued Discontinued 25 91 16 132
Transparency Key 409 421 329 244 NA 712
Total: 444 579 470 427 74 1155

Who recognises GuideStar India’s Certification

DonateKart

108, D-Definity | Jay Prakash Nagar Road 1 | Goregaon (E) | Mumbai 400063. India | Call +91-22-26856900/ 98/ 99
Email: certification@guidestarindia.org, www.guidestarindia.org
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GuideStar India Platinum NGOs GuideStar India Gold NGOs

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How to use your Examples of how 1100+ NGOs use their certification
certification Kherwadi Social Welfare Association
 On your website
 On your donation page
 On your Facebook page
 WhatsApp DP
 In your email sign,
 On T-shirts, Badges,
 In funding proposals,
 On your Annual Report

Benefits of Certification Saath Charitable Trust – Summary page of the NGO’s

profile
 Free online repository of your key information &
documents
 Allotment of a unique international id for NGOs
called the BRIDGE Number. www.bridge-registry.org
 Certification status displayed on the GuideStar India’s
portal on the NGO’s profile and featured in the list of
certified NGOs. View the list of certified NGOs on the
following link:
http://guidestarindia.org/CertifiedNGOs.aspx
 NGO’s location pinned on the map of India based on
its address. View the map on the following link: Reference to Key Unique Ids
http://guidestarindia.org/NGOIndiaMap.aspx
 Fundraising opportunities through eligibility to QUEST ALLIANCE - Links to partner websites on the
associate with philanthropic intermediaries like NGO’s profile
Dasra, Small Change, DanaMojo, DonateKart,
GlobalGiving, Samhita GoodCSR, GivNow and events
like GivingTuesday India. Visit
www.givingtuesdayindia.org to know more.
 A symbol of trust: e-Seal for all levels of certification
along with tips on how to use it effectively.
Certificate hard copy along with due diligence report
for Platinum, Gold & Silver levels. View a sample due
diligence report: Platinum Seal Due Diligence Report,
Gold Seal Due Diligence Report

What our users say

India’s growing philanthropy requires a strong civil society ecosystem
that can translate social capital into real social change impacting more
lives on the ground. In order to ensure that resources are directed
effectively and efficiently, philanthropic decisions need to be powered
by information. GuideStar India has helped NGOs to enhance their
visibility and credibility through its portal, transparency reporting tools,
certification solutions and a lot of capacity building. This has resulted in
an online reliable NGO information repository which, I believe, is helping
several actors and enablers to strengthen their offerings and solutions to
civil society.
-Amit Chandra, MD, Bain Capital & Philanthropist
Sara Adhikari, Founder & Trustee, Small Change
“The biggest barrier to giving is trust. Traditionally, non-
profits have addressed the issue by seeking support from
persons known to them. But in the age of the internet, this
is limiting - and where GuideStar India comes in for Small
Change. All our NGOs are GuideStar India Gold or Platinum
certified, lending a stamp of credibility to an NGO,
especially to donors online. One of our donors wrote: They
have made it easier for me to do my bit without fear of
being ripped off- that’s all it took to put the joy back in
giving.”

108, D-Definity | Jay Prakash Nagar Road 1 | Goregaon (E) | Mumbai 400063. India | Call +91-22-26856900/ 98/ 99
Email: certification@guidestarindia.org, www.guidestarindia.org 3
 What Certified NGOs have to say
Thank you very much for letting us know that
“I wanted to say that I am really happy about this Thank you for your kind and our organisation has qualified for “Advanced
process. For me the challenge in Kolkata is to get persistent efforts for this. Level, GuideStar India Gold Certification”. This is
accuracy and transparency and it has required several We do appreciate. great news. We are aware of how valuable this
changes of accountants. I am in error for not reading It has been a great learning recognition from Guidestar India is to NGOs.
the 10B form carefully enough. Whether we get our process. Thanks again. We also thank you for your patience and for the
award or not, to me the money has been well spent. learning that took place for us during the
Thank you for your diligence.” processes for registration.
Jananeethi
Childlife Preserve Shishur Sevay Vacha Charitable Trust

Requirements:
Minimum Information to be Voluntarily shared List of Documents that need to be uploaded
by organisation on www.guidestarindia.org: on www.guidestarindia.org:
 Correspondence address
 Registration Document/Certificate/ Trust Deed
Transparency Key

Transparency Key
 Organisation Description
 12A Certificate
 Communication Details of the Org. Head
 Income Tax PAN
& contact person
 Address Proof Document
 Organisation Classification
 ITR V / Income Tax Return Acknowledgement – FY
 Organisation Type
2017-18 i.e. AY 2018-19
 Beneficiary groups
 Organisation Activities  Memorandum of Association/ Articles of Association
 Past Year Objectives, Past & Current Year  80G Certificate
Achievements  35AC Certificate
Gold & Silver Seals

Gold & Silver Seals

 Coming Year Objectives/ Goals  FCRA registration certificate

 Geographical focus of activity  Form 10B – FY 2016-17 & FY 2017-18
 Area of Operations  Consolidated Audited Accounts FY 2016-17 & 2017-18
 History of organisation, Mission & Vision  Latest Annual FCRA Return – for FY 2016-17 & 2017-18
 Board Member details of all members of  GuideStar India Undertaking (to be downloaded, filled
the governing body and sent to GuideStar India)
 Last 3 Board meeting dates

 External references by way of a partner reference,

Platinum Seal


Platinum Seal

Comprehensive information in the disclosure

donor reference or visitor testimonials (click on the
template:
o Vision, mission, strategy following links to download the forms: Donor
o Goals, achievements and challenges Reference Form; Visitor Testimonial
o Registration details, dates of statutory filings  GuideStar India template for transparency &
o Summarised financials accountability disclosures to be filled and submitted
o Details of bankers and auditors

How we process How to apply

Stage 1 – Verify online application form
Stage 2 – Receive donation & send 80G receipt  If your NGO is not registered on
Stage 3 – Send list of requirements www.guidestarindia.org please register using the
Stage 4 – Complete 2 detailed reviews & send queries following link:
Stage 5 – Closure with a confirmation mail http://www.guidestarindia.org/Register.aspx
Stage 6 – Inform about eligibility for partner benefits  If your NGO is already registered on
Stage 7 – e-Seal sent along with certificate www.guidestarindia.org, apply for certification
Stage 8 – Update list of certified NGOs & NGO profile using the link: GuideStar India Certification
Stage 9 – Send due diligence report to NGO Application Form
Stage 10 – Promote certified NGOs at various fora

Get your NGO certified by GuideStar India in 3 steps:

Make a donation to GuideStar Update minimum information and
Check against criteria the required documents on
India towards capacity building
and apply for www.guidestarindia.org
and support
certification

108, D-Definity | Jay Prakash Nagar Road 1 | Goregaon (E) | Mumbai 400063. India | Call +91-22-26856900/ 98/ 99
Email: certification@guidestarindia.org, www.guidestarindia.org 4