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Free Tool · Candid Seal Path

Your path to a Candid Platinum Seal

Candid's Seals of Transparency are free, and they're earned in four levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Funders use them to screen applicants, and in Candid's research, Seal holders received on average 62% more in contributions. This checklist shows where you stand, what you can post today, and the work behind each level, so posting your profile and strengthening your organization become the same path. Takes about 5 minutes.

How Seals work: each level builds on the one before, so you earn them in order. They expire unless you update your profile every year. Requirements below follow Candid's 2026 Seals of Transparency guide. Confirm the details in your Candid profile editor. Frankly Inspired is not affiliated with Candid.

For each requirement, choose one
On our profile
Already posted on our Candid profile.
Ready
We have it, but haven't posted it yet.
Not ready
We don't have this yet, or it isn't written down.

1. Bronze

Basic information so donors can find you and fund your work.

A claimed Candid profile for your organization

What it takes: Someone on staff owns your public profile and keeps it current every year.

Mission statement

What it takes: A current mission statement your board has adopted.

Subject area, population served, and geographic area served

What it takes: Clarity about who you serve, where, and in what field.

Mailing address and website (or a note that you have none)

What it takes: Current, consistent public contact information.

Primary contact, plus your leader’s name, title, and email

What it takes: A named leader and a named point of contact.

Donation details: legal name, EIN, and payment address

What it takes: A clear, verified way for donors to give.

2. Silver

Program information to guide funding decisions.

For each program: name, description, geographic area, subject area, and population served

What it takes: A clear written description of every program.

3. Gold

Financial details and leadership demographics to build trust.

Latest financials: an audited financial statement, or a Form 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, or 990-N, for fiscal year 2024 or 2025

What it takes: Current, filed financials your board has reviewed.

Leader demographics: race and ethnicity, gender identity, transgender identity, sexual orientation, and disability status

What it takes: A voluntary, respectful way to collect and report leadership demographics.

4. Platinum

Goals, strategies, and impact metrics, plus board demographics.

Board demographics in the same categories

What it takes: A board that knows its own composition and recruits deliberately.

At least one quantitative impact metric with a 2025 value

What it takes: At least one outcome you measure every year.

Your organization’s goals, its strategies, and what it aims to solve

What it takes: Written goals and strategies the board and staff actually use.

Want help getting to Platinum?

The InstitutionalOS Diagnostic's 90-day plan includes the steps to your next Candid Seal level, alongside your binding constraint.

Schedule a Strategy Conversation