Strengthening Donor Trust Through Global Charity Accountability

No matter where charitable giving takes place, trust is built on the same foundation: transparency and accountability.

Charity Monitoring Organizations From 19 Countries Share Insights and Challenges

On May 28 and 29, BBB Wise Giving Alliance participated in the Annual General Meeting of Charity Monitoring Worldwide (CMW), the global association of charity monitoring organizations.

This year’s meeting was hosted by CBF in the Netherlands, where Charity Monitoring Worldwide is legally registered.

CMW members came together to exchange knowledge, share best practices, and advance common principles that strengthen donor confidence and support strong, trustworthy charities worldwide.

What Is Charity Monitoring Worldwide?

Charity Monitoring Worldwide is an international network of independent charity monitoring organizations committed to strengthening transparency, accountability, and public trust in the charitable sector.

The organization brings together representatives from 19 countries across Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Africa, including representatives from charity monitoring organizations in Austria, Canada, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Guatemala, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Ukraine, the United States, and Burkina Faso.

Together, CMW members monitor thousands of nonprofit organizations worldwide, representing more than €99 billion in aggregate monitored charity expenses.

Why Transparency and Accountability Matter Across Borders

Despite the diversity of our countries, cultures of giving, regulatory environments, and levels of sector maturity, participants found common ground in many of the challenges facing charities today.

Harmienke Kloeze, Executive Director of CBF and the newly elected CMW Board Chair, noted:

“In a time of polarization, disinformation and distrust, our data and oversight can help distinguish fact from fiction when it comes to charities. I am convinced that the sector benefits when policymakers — both nationally and internationally — as well as donors, gain a clearer understanding of the sector.”

Addressing Emerging Issues Facing Charities Worldwide

The exchange included conversations around the implications of reductions in government funding in many countries; changing patterns of giving worldwide; the opportunities and risks presented by artificial intelligence; and ways to further strengthen global collaboration.

Participants also explored the value of a risk-based and proportionate approach to oversight across both regulatory frameworks and charity monitoring, strengthening donor trust while avoiding undue burdens on charities.

The meeting reinforced the importance of international cooperation in supporting a resilient, transparent, and trusted nonprofit sector worldwide.