Reflections on Guide Star certification and governance in CSOs

Introduction to Samerth and our work

Samerth Charitable Trust is a CSO operating in Gujarat and Chhattisgarh for over 25 years. It is dedicated to improving the livelihoods and well-being of marginalized and vulnerable communities. Our focus areas include education, community support, migration assistance, and eco-restoration in forest and desert regions. These initiatives promote water conservation, forestry projects, and livelihood programs aimed at fostering environmental sustainability and socio-economic resilience.

Over the years, we have emphasized transparency to build trust with stakeholders. We prioritize accountability through transparent financial reporting, stakeholder engagement, regular impact assessments, adherence to governance best practices, and compliance with regulations. We conduct routine external audits and share the results publicly. This helps us foster accountability and trust across all our operational areas.

Governance journey: a reflection

At Samerth, our journey toward robust governance has been one of growth, learning, and continuous improvement. When we first started over two decades ago, our focus was on delivering impactful programs to uplift marginalized communities. However, as we grew, we realized that true impact requires more than just good intentions. It demands strong governance and accountability.

By the time we approached GuideStar, it was clear that the landscape of civil society organizations (CSOs) was shifting. The sector was transitioning from an era dominated by activism and rights-based approaches to a more holistic model of development, incorporating policy work and the emergence of MESO organizations.

This evolution brought new challenges and heightened expectations from donors, governments, and the communities we serve. It became increasingly important for us to demonstrate not only our commitment to our mission but also our ability to manage resources responsibly and transparently. We knew we needed more stringent systems for financial management and governance due diligence. The question was, how do we create a framework that ensures we remain accountable and continually improve?

GuideStar offered an answer. Their platform provided not just a certification but a comprehensive pathway to elevate our standards. It was an opportunity to engage with a broader community of NGOs, learn from their experiences, and benchmark ourselves against the best practices in the sector. The process of obtaining GuideStar certification was thorough and sometimes challenging. It required us to look inward, scrutinize our financial records, assess our programmatic outcomes, and refine our governance structures. Yet, it was precisely this rigor that made the journey worthwhile.

It pushed us to be more transparent and accountable. We learned to embrace feedback. We started using it as a tool for growth. As Gazala Paul, our Executive Director, says, “GuideStar helped us discipline ourselves and create hygiene for financial and governance processes. Timelines got systematized. We got better at planning…”

This journey wasn’t just about ticking boxes or meeting external requirements. It was about internalizing a culture of excellence. We developed systems that improved our internal processes. These also helped us build trust with our stakeholders. The certification became a symbol of our commitment to good governance. It is a badge of honor that has opened doors to new opportunities and partnerships.

The impact and benefits of certification

Becoming a platinum partner with GuideStar for nine consecutive years has had a profound impact on Samerth. The certification process elevated our internal processes. It has also significantly enhanced our external credibility. Here are some key benefits that we have experienced.

Increased trust: The certification strengthened trust among our donors, partners and beneficiaries. It has served as a testament to our commitment to transparency and accountability.

Enhanced funding opportunities: Many funding agencies now prefer working with GuideStar-certified organizations. This opens doors to new funding and collaboration opportunities. Improved governance practices: The feedback and guidelines from GuideStar allowed us to raise our standards. This has helped us continuously improve our governance and operational practices.

Networking and learning: GuideStar’s platform has provided us access to a community of over 12,000 members, offering regular updates, capacity-building workshops, and networking opportunities.

Note on GuideStar certification

GuideStar India offers different levels of certification. These range from the Transparency Key to Advanced Certifications (Silver, Gold and Platinum). These certifications indicate varying degrees of transparency and validation. The higher levels demand more detailed financial and organizational data. The certification process involves a comprehensive evaluation of an organization’s practices. It provides an objective assessment. It also helps organizations identify areas for improvement.

Support for other certifications: The GuideStar certification also paved the way for us to obtain the Give2Asia Certification. This has enabled us to receive overseas funds. We have also managed to further enhance our transparency and disclosure practices.

Conclusion

Our experience with GuideStar certification has reinforced our dedication to good governance. It has helped us position Samerth as a credible and trustworthy organization. We encourage other CSOs to consider such certifications as a valuable tool for enhancing their governance practices and overall impact. The journey may be resourceintensive. However, the rewards—in terms of credibility, trust, and improved practices— are well worth the effort.