Accreditation Program
Not only does accreditation provide peace of mind for our donors, it also gives us the assurance that we are properly handling the resources entrusted to us.
Sharon DePhillippeaux, Finance & Donor Services at ABWE Canada
CCCC's Accreditation Program for Christian Ministries
A growing number of Canadians look for a charity’s credibility when choosing to donate. The accreditation process enhances credibility through third-party accountability provided by our team.
Our Accreditation Program helps ministries demonstrate:
- Their trustworthiness, mission and overall vision.
- Financial and organizational integrity.
- Transparency and desire to exceed the minimum requirements for maintaining charitable status.
- Commitment to maintaining the highest standards as a Canadian charity.
Explore the Standards of Accountability and consider accreditation for your ministry!
Christian Ministry
The charity is committed to the Christian faith.
Diligent governance
The charity is governed by an independent and active board, who establishes policies and reviews the impact of the organization’s activities.
Ethical fundraising
The charity is ethical in its fundraising activities and respects the dignity and interests of the donor.
Financial oversight and transparency
The charity demonstrates transparency and proper financial oversight through an independent financial audit, an audit review committee, and public disclosure of financial statements.
Organizational integrity
The charity upholds the highest standards of integrity, adheres to applicable laws, and operates in accordance with its own governing documents.
Accreditation can help you to…
Words from our members
Financial integrity matters to us at Compassion Canada and it matters to our supporters. We proudly display our Accreditation by the Canadian Centre for Christian Charities so that our more than 100,000 Canadian supporters can give confidently and generously to release children from poverty in Jesus’ name.
In a time where accountability, excellence, and transparency are paramount to ensuring public trust, being accredited by the Canadian Centre for Christian Charities is vital for our organization. UrbanPromise Toronto has been accredited by CCCC for over 7 years. Their team is phenomenal in providing expert advice, feedback, and resources to help our ministry thrive and be sustainable. Having their accreditation logo on our website and materials gives our donors and community the confidence to trust our organization to be good stewards of the resources God provides and faithful to carrying out our mission.
We have deeply appreciated the accountability and support the CCCC has provided Indwell to ensure that our systems, procedures and governance are exceptional so that we can carry out our mission long into the future. While many organizations, Indwell included, participate in annual financial audits ensuring there is no fraud, the CCCC accreditation process ensures our stakeholders that we have the organizational structure and practices to have permanent sustainability.
Food for the Hungry (FH Canada) greatly appreciates the CCCC’s resources they make available on their website and in the Charities Handbook. Accreditation has provided valuable access to their team of experts that support us as we deal with issues confronting our organization.
Our CCCC Accreditation acknowledges to our church family, our city and all our donors that we meet or exceed the high standards expected by charitable organizations. Easy access to CCCC’s Knowledge Base and phone support has also been amazing and invaluable for us.
Accreditation by CCCC is profoundly important to The Cridge Centre for the Family. To be able to proudly say that we are accountable to the highest standards possible in the world of Canadian Charity and to use the associated logo, declares to our donors, and to our potential donors, that their gifts and legacies will be managed with the utmost integrity and transparency. At a time when charities fall increasingly under attack and scrutiny, the CCCC accreditation is a gold standard of excellence and we are tremendously proud to have achieved it.
We love the CCCC! Accreditation is important to us because the next generation of Canadians is looking for accountability and integrity when considering causes to support. CCCC has been an incredible help to us, equipping us with best practices and recommendations that have increased our effectiveness as we interact with donors and regulatory bodies. Thanks for your help!
Not only does accreditation provide peace of mind for our donors, it also gives us the assurance that we are properly handling the resources entrusted to us.
Accreditation FAQs
- What does it mean to be accredited by CCCC?
Accreditation with CCCC is a powerful endorsement of a charity’s integrity. It demonstrates that the charity has been carefully assessed by CCCC’s rigorous accreditation process and found to be in compliance with CCCC’s Standards. Donors can give confidently and generously when they see the CCCC Accredited Member Logo on a charity’s website.
- Who is eligible to apply?
Any Christian organization that is a registered charity, complies with the CCCC Standards, and has been in operation long enough to have produced 12-month financial statements and a T3010. If you are not sure if you fully comply with the Standards today, you are welcome to submit your application for review and we will provide a detailed report and guidance to become accredited.
- Can churches become accredited?
Yes. Individual churches and denominational offices are welcome to apply for accredited membership.
- What are the benefits of accredited membership?
As an accredited member, you will earn the right to display the accredited member logo on all your promotional materials. The logo assures donors that you are operating with the highest standards of integrity.
EQUIP YOUR STAFF WITH BEST PRACTICES TO IMPROVE OPERATIONS - Regular external reviews will provide your charity with detailed reports containing recommendations and best practices to help you improve your operations.
DEMONSTRATE DUE DILIGENCE TO YOUR BOARD - Accreditation assures your board that your charity is taking pro-active steps to improve operations, reduce risks, and obtain a comprehensive review from external professionals.
CONNECT WITH NEW DONORS WHO ARE EAGER TO SUPPORT CHRISTIAN CHARITIES - As an Accredited member, you’ll have the opportunity to create a customized profile on giveconfidently.ca, which is regularly promoted to potential donors.
- What are the steps to accreditation?
Check out the accreditation process, and if you have any questions, email the Head of Accreditation or call us at 519-669-5137. We’re here to help!
- How long is the accreditation process?
The length of time it takes to become accredited depends on how quickly a charity is able to comply with the Standards of Accountability. It typically takes CCCC approximately three weeks to review the initial application and respond with a compliance report and any recommendations. The timeframe from that point forward will depend on the outstanding requirements that need to be satisfied and your organization’s speed to implement them. If you have any questions, you can e-mail the Head of Accreditation or call CCCC at 519-669-5137.
- What can we do with the Accredited Member logo?
As a CCCC Accredited member, you may display the accredited member logo on your website, in your charity’s promotional materials, or on inserts accompanying your donation receipts. CCCC provides downloadable print or web versions of the logo. You may also download free promotional material to include with your donor newsletter or donation receipts.
- What is the annual fee for accredited membership?
Please see our membership options page for the current fees. Accredited membership fees are reduced by any fees already paid for affiliate membership in the same year.
- How does a charity maintain its accreditation?
See the steps for maintaining accreditation here, under the heading “Maintain Accreditation.” We want charities to achieve compliance, and we are here to help!
Explore Accreditation
We invite you to discover if Accreditation is right for your ministry. Please provide your information below to receive a copy of our Accreditation Program Guide, including the detailed requirements of the CCCC Standards of Accountability. After receiving your contact information, we will be in touch to answer any questions you may have.
Some of our Accredited Members
