We are proud to share that the Kofago Institute has earned Candid’s 2026 Platinum Seal of Transparency—the highest level of recognition in Candid’s Seal of Transparency program. (Candid) For our community, this is more than a badge. It is an independent, public signal that Kofago is committed to operating with clarity, accountability, and measurable impact—so donors, funders, partners, and families can trust how we lead and how we serve.
What the Candid Platinum Seal Represents
Candid (known to many through GuideStar) is one of the most widely used nonprofit information platforms. The Seal levels—Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum—reflect how much verified information a nonprofit shares publicly about its mission, leadership, financials, and results. (Candid)
The Platinum Seal is the top tier. To earn it, organizations must go beyond basics and share progress indicators (metrics)—including at least one recent metric from the prior year (for the 2026 Seal, a 2025 metric is required)—so the public can see evidence of outcomes, not just intentions. (help.candid.org)
Why This Matters for Our Supporters and Partners
Transparency is not administrative busywork—it is a public service. When supporters can easily review a nonprofit’s work, leadership, and outcomes, they can make informed decisions about partnership and investment. Candid notes that Seal participation can strengthen fundraising and visibility by helping donors and funders quickly access key information in one place. (Candid)
For Kofago Institute, earning Platinum affirms three commitments:
- Public accountability: We are willing to be evaluated based on what we do, not only what we say.
- Operational credibility: Our core organizational details are easy to find and consistent across major nonprofit research tools. (Candid)
- Impact discipline: We are building a culture of measurement—tracking outcomes and sharing progress with the community. (help.candid.org)
What You Can Expect to See on Our Candid Profile
Platinum-level profiles typically include the information stakeholders look for most when assessing a nonprofit, such as:
- Mission and program summaries
- Leadership and board information (including demographic data where provided) (help.candid.org)
- Financial documentation and reporting
- Strategy, goals, and metrics that demonstrate progress (help.candid.org)
How You Can Help Us Leverage This Milestone
- Visit our Candid/GuideStar profile and review the information we’ve made public.
- Share the news with colleagues and partners who value accountable, community-rooted cultural work.
- Support the work—through donations, sponsorship, or program partnerships—so our impact can scale responsibly.
Gratitude
This milestone reflects the collective effort of our artists, staff, board, teaching artists, collaborators, and supporters who believe in building cultural programs with integrity. We are honored to serve—and we are committed to continuing to earn trust through transparency and results.
—Kofago Institute Team