ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
1
2
3
What is the Standards Program?
4
Imagine Canada’s Standards Program offers a Canada-wide set of shared standards for charities and nonprofits designed to strengthen their capacity.

The Standards Program is first and foremost a capacity-building initiative. Any organization may use these standards to improve and monitor its practices. Information about how to comply with the standards, as well as tools and resources to help organizations continue to strengthen their practices, are available free of charge. Organizations wishing to demonstrate publicly that they meet the standards can participate in a voluntary peer-review-based accreditation process.
5
Click here to learn more about the Standards Program
6
Cliquez ici pour consulter la version française de ce guide.
7
8
1. Prepare your organization
9
Discuss the Standards Program with your board and review the standards and evidence to ensure you understand the Program requirements for your level (see below). This tool lists all 73 standards along with a summary of the evidence you are required to submit with your application. To be accredited, you must demonstrate compliance with all standards for your level. The time it takes to go from start to accreditation varies, but six months to a year can be expected depending on your starting point.
10
11
2. Join the Standards Community
12
Once you decide your organization is ready to pursue accreditation, it’s time to join the Standards Community where you have the opportunity to work on your application at your own pace. A low monthly fee gives you access to Program supports including volunteer peer advisors, regular staff support, and an online resource hub with links to guidance documents and sample policies and procedures.
13
14
3. Application Submission & Peer Review Process
15
When you think your application is ready, submit your application for screening. Your application is first reviewed by Program staff to ensure it is complete. Once the screening is complete, you are able to pay your application fee and submit your application for peer review.It then goes to a team of volunteer peer reviewers who will determine if your organization receives accreditation or if further work is required to come into compliance with all standards. Applications requiring more than one peer review are subject to a processing fee.
16
17
4. Term of Accreditation and Compliance
18
Accredited organizations are required to complete full reaccrediation on a five-year basis. Compliance during the accreditation period is monitored through an annual process that requires organizations to submit evidence demonstrating selected standards are being met. Compliance is also monitored through investigation of complaints.
19
20
Join the Standards Program
21
Click here to join the Standards Program. Access resources and prepare your application at your own pace.
22
23
About Imagine Canada
24
Imagine Canada exists to work alongside other charitable sector organizations — and often in partnership with the private sector, governments and individuals in the community — to ensure that charities continue to play a pivotal role in building, enriching and defining our nation.
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100