CFN Quality Accreditation

Berkshire Community Foundation received the Mark of Quality Accredited by the Community Foundation Network to Standards Endorsed by the Charity Commission on 20^th September 2007 and it is now identified as CFN Quality Accredited. This means that the Foundation has met the high standards set by the Community Foundation Network in the key areas of a community foundation’s definition, governance, grant–making, donor care, communications, financial management and community engagement.

The Quality Accreditation Committee meeting took place during 19 – 20 April and produced assessment reports for each community foundation, based on inspection visits by The Focus Group as well as on evidence and documents of self–assessment submitted by the community foundations. The actual ceremony for the award of the Quality Mark took place at the Community Foundation Network conference on 20^th September.

The CFN Quality Accreditation programme was officially launched in January 2007, after successful consultation with members and key stakeholders in June 2006. It aims to introduce and encourage best practice in the network, which will ensure that community foundations are healthy, strong and sustainable and will implement efficient policies with their existing and potential donors.  The Quality Accreditation to Berkshire Community Foundation serves to assure its donors that all their donations will be managed to a recognised standard and will be distributed in a most efficient and effective way to meet local needs.

As part of its conclusion about the Foundation’s performance so far, the CFN committee has stated that “The Berkshire Community Foundation has a demonstrable track record in managing and growing its community capital fund in line with financial plans. It has clear strategic and operational plans that are owned by trustees and staff and has a strong understanding and focus on the needs of the communities it serves. In line with this, it provides very effective grant support to a wide variety of voluntary and community organisations across the county”.

 

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