Safeguarding Standard for Funders

Every year, funders invest billions to drive positive social change. Yet when harm occurs – whether through neglect, misconduct, or inadequate safeguards, the impact of their investment is undermined.

Funders around the world have an important role to play in motivating action and ensuring accountability for safeguarding in their own organisations and in the organisations they fund.

Building on our research Safeguarding in Philanthropy, FSC and Accountable Now have been working with a Co-Creation Group of funders, civil society organisations (CSOs) and survivor led organisations to develop a practice standard for funders. Based on research evidence, the standard will help funders to take a more consistent and impactful approach to safeguarding in grant-making.

READ THE DRAFT STANDARD

Co-creating the Standard

In Summer 2026, we asked funders and philanthropic organisations for feedback on whether the draft Standard is clear, useful and practical. You can read more about the consultation here.

The feedback will identify ways to strengthen the Standard and we will publish a summary of the consultation findings in late 2026.

The findings will be discussed by the Co-creation Group who will finalise the wording. We will also use your feedback to develop tools, guidance and training to support implementation of the Standard.

We aim to launch the final Standard in 2027.

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Thank you for helping shape the standard

We are grateful to everyone who has contributed their time and knowledge to help shape funder practice and keep people safe.

We are particularly grateful to our amazing co-creation group who have generously given their time and expertise to design and then refine the standard.

Huge appreciation to Megan Colnar, Tina Ajuonuma and Bao Han Tran Le from Accountable Now who are facilitating the co-creation process