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Stratford General Hospital Foundation today announces that it has been accredited under Imagine Canada Standards. With this achievement, we become part of a network of nonprofit and charitable organizations dedicated to continuous improvement, transparency, operational excellence and good governance.
The Imagine Canada Standards leverage the wisdom and expertise of the nonprofit sector in key areas such as board governance, financial accountability and transparency, fundraising, human resources, and volunteer involvement. They support organizations in strengthening their practices and advancing to the next level by building strong governance and operations - laying the foundation for lasting excellence, resilience, and impact.
"At the Stratford General Hospital Foundation, we recognize that every donation represents a profound act of trust,” says Cheryl Hunt, Executive Director. “Achieving Imagine Canada Standards Accreditation reflects our commitment to honouring that trust through the highest standards of accountability, transparency and ethical stewardship. This recognition belongs to our dedicated Board of Directors, staff and volunteers, whose commitment ensures every gift entrusted to us is managed with integrity and invested in strengthening health care close to home."
"On the journey toward great governance, organizations pursue accreditation as a public testament to their commitment to the highest standards of transparency and accountability. We offer our sincere congratulations to the newly accredited and re-accredited organizations, key players in our Standards network of 285 organizations nationwide." said Bruce MacDonald, President and CEO of Imagine Canada. "By achieving accreditation, these organizations have solidified themselves as leaders in integrity, efficiency, and transparency in the nonprofit sector."
About the Standards
Since 2012, Imagine Canada Standards serve as the only comprehensive guidelines created by the sector, for the sector, to address key areas of governance and operations: board governance, financial accountability and transparency, fundraising, human resources, and volunteer engagement. These Standards are designed to promote best practices and transparency within charities and nonprofits seeking to continuously improve. The goal is to foster resilience and bolster public confidence in both individual organizations and the sector overall.
The accreditation process involves meeting 73 rigorous standards spanning financial management and accountability, fundraising, board governance, human resources, and volunteer engagement. The accreditation process is adaptable for organizations of all sizes due to a three-tiered structure allowing nonprofits and charities to get accredited at any level based on their needs. Standards oversight is ensured by the Standards Council, an independent group of sector representatives responsible for maintaining and evolving the standards.
Peer-review Process and Compliance
Our policies and procedures in the five areas of compliance were evaluated by a group of independent reviewers from the sector and were found to be compliant with the Standards. Accredited organizations are required to complete full reaccreditation on a five-year basis. Compliance and continuous improvement during the accreditation period are supported through a reporting process that requires organizations to submit evidence demonstrating selected standards are being met.
"Imagine Canada Standards Accreditation is an important milestone, but it is not our destination - it is part of our ongoing commitment to excellence,” says Fritz Steigmeier, Board Chair. “As volunteers entrusted with the governance of the Foundation, our Board is committed to continuously strengthening our practices so that our donors and community can have complete confidence in how their generosity is stewarded. We are proud to stand among organizations across Canada that are committed to the highest standards of integrity, accountability and service."
