Do nonprofits with a Candid Seal of Transparency raise more funds?

Abstract

This white paper describes research to understand the link between nonprofit transparency (i.e., earning a Candid Seal of Transparency) and donor giving. Building on previous research, the study examines a sample of 148,786 U.S. 501(c)(3) public charities and provides updated insights into which organizational characteristics best predict being transparent and whether there is a monetary benefit (in increased contributions) to being transparent. Further analyses examine the impact of transparency for small nonprofits (those with revenue or expenses under $1 million)