Our Methodology

Foreignaid Ratings provides third party ratings to eligible non-governmental organizations (NGOs), governments, and businesses around the world. Foreignaid Ratings reflect the social impact, viability and integrity of participating organizations.

Foreignaid Ratings are administered to small, medium, and large organizations across a variety sectors, including:

Microfinance	Economic Empowerment
Education	Health
Information Communications Technology (ICT)	Environment
Law and Advocacy	Civic Engagement
Youth Services	Corporate Social Responsibility
Community Development	Research Institutes and Think Tanks

Foreignaid Ratings determines each organization's rating based on a three-stage process.

1. Fundamental Analysis

Our detailed application requires that nominated NGOs provide information about these criteria:

Organizational History	Financial Sustainability
Leadership	Environmental Sustainability
Mission	Capital Efficiency
Innovation	Transparency
Integrity	Systems
Scalability	Collaboration & Partnerships

2. Impact Analysis

Many NGOs face the problem of "over-organization." Their fundamentals are sound--the are well very well organized and funded--but they lack impact. This is the fun part of the analysis. NGOs answer questions about how they have improved the lives of people in their community and country. Interviews of community members and beneficiaries are conducted as needed.

In addition, the measured impact is compared to the funding received by the NGO.
 

3. Reference Analysis

NGOs must provide at least three references to people who can "vouch" for them. Our staff and the local Country Review Panel will contact these references to discuss the NGO's fundamentals and impact. Foreignaid Ratings also searches relevant magazines, newspapers, and the Internet to find any news regarding the NGO in question.
 

For the complete ratings specification, please click here.