{"id":3154,"date":"2026-06-04T10:33:11","date_gmt":"2026-06-04T08:33:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cooperategreen.com\/charities\/"},"modified":"2026-06-15T09:30:32","modified_gmt":"2026-06-15T07:30:32","slug":"charities","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.cooperategreen.com\/en\/sustainability-for-nonprofit\/charities\/","title":{"rendered":"Charities"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Trust begins with transparency.<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Make impact measurable, transparent and credible.<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tA social mission does not guarantee socially responsible operations. Donors, funders and partners expect charities not only to deliver on their mission, but also to be transparent about how they do so. Cooperate Green helps charities sharply define their impact, make it measurable and report consistently. \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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The dual task of charities<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Charities typically report on the results of their primary activities. But expectations go beyond that. Donors want to know if their contributions are going to be put to good use. Funders demand transparency about spending and impact. Partners and governments are increasingly demanding ESG information. And the broader public also judges charities on how they operate internally. <\/p>

At the same time, charities operate with limited capacity and target-specific budgets. As a result, paying attention to sustainability quickly feels like an extra burden on top of everything else. But it doesn’t have to be a burden. With the right approach, sustainability reporting becomes a tool that builds trust, attracts funding and strengthens the organization internally. <\/p>

Mercy Ships Netherlands is an example of an organization that has taken that step. In collaboration with Cooperate Green, the social impact of their activities was made concrete in the Annual Report 2025, fully in line with the RJ650 and SDGs through the Corporate Social Responsibility Guide. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Do you recognize this?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Reporting limited to primary results<\/h3>

Charities typically report on their direct output, but not on broader ESG topics such as their carbon footprint, sustainable sourcing or governance. The RJ650 calls for more, but the interpretation is largely left free. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Output rather than impact<\/h3>\nMany charities report on direct outputs, such as the number of operations or training delivered, but do not make sufficiently clear what the actual impact is. A theory of change helps to report at the level of output, outcome and impact. \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Selective transparency<\/h3>

Organizations tend to highlight positive results. Setbacks, lessons learned or imperfections remain underexposed. This undermines credibility with donors and regulators who expect honesty. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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No structure, but ambition<\/h3>\nSustainability initiatives often already exist. But without central direction, clear themes and ownership, they remain fragmented. An integrated approach that fits the organization’s capacity and budget is lacking. \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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What we offer<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Every organization is at a different point. That’s why we work in a modular and phased manner. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Credibility towards stakeholders<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Not just report what you do, but show what it delivers. With a link to the SDGs, a theory of change and concrete impact indicators, you build trust with donors, grant makers, funders and partners. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Structure and focus<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFrom separate initiatives to a cohesive strategy. We help select the right themes, invest ownership and embed sustainability KPIs into the regular planning and control cycle. \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Unburdening reporting<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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From a basic sustainability paragraph in accordance with RJ650 to a full ESG report. We take the process off your hands so you can focus on the mission. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Strengthen financial resilience<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSustainability helps organizations become less dependent on a single source of funding. A clear ESG strategy increases the chances of obtaining grants, funds and collaborations with parties that condition social impact. \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Relevant frameworks <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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RJ650 - Annual Reporting Guideline. <\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe RJ650 is the guideline for fundraising institutions. The CBF uses the guideline as a basic standard. The guideline demands transparency about stakeholders, information needs, social aspects and the impact of one’s own business operations and the supply chain. The guideline leaves the interpretation of sustainability themes largely free, which requires an own course. \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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CSR Handreiking Goede Doelen Nederland <\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe RJ650 is the guideline for fundraising institutions. The CBF uses the guideline as a basic standard. The guideline demands transparency about stakeholders, information needs, social aspects and the impact of one’s own business operations and the supply chain. The guideline leaves the interpretation of sustainability themes largely free, which requires an own course. \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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ANBI status and CBF seal of approval. <\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The RJ650 is the guideline for fundraising institutions. The CBF uses the guideline as a basic standard. The guideline demands transparency about stakeholders, information needs, social aspects and the impact of one’s own business operations and the supply chain. The guideline leaves the interpretation of sustainability themes largely free, which requires an own course. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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ESRS\/CSRD and VSME - chain pressure <\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The RJ650 is the guideline for fundraising institutions. The CBF uses the guideline as a basic standard. The guideline demands transparency about stakeholders, information needs, social aspects and the impact of one’s own business operations and the supply chain. The guideline leaves the interpretation of sustainability themes largely free, which requires an own course. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Themes<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Sustainability reporting and RJ650<\/h3>\nMost charities have an annual report, but lack a sustainability chapter in line with what the RJ650 requires. We help with a gap analysis, materiality analysis and the preparation of a sustainability section or full ESG report. \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Climate and CO\u2082<\/h3>\nCharities also have a carbon footprint. Travel, housing, events and procurement all contribute. Understanding scope 1, 2 and 3 is the first step to reduction and transparent reporting. We guide from baseline measurement to reduction policy and reporting. \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Sustainable purchasing<\/h3>\nA significant part of charities’ impact lies in the supply chain. From office design to event organization, conscious purchasing choices strengthen the organization’s credibility and reduce its carbon footprint. We provide guidance on sustainable procurement policies and their implementation. \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Full ESG track<\/h3>\nFor organizations that want to structurally embed sustainability, we offer a complete process. Not as a reporting project, but as a strategic process: together we map the relevant themes, set priorities and develop concrete objectives and KPIs that match the ambition of the organization. The VSME provides an accessible framework to make progress transparent and accountable to stakeholders. \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Our approach<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Every organization is at a different point. We work modularly and in phases, tailored to your capacity and ambition. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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1. Inventory<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tZero ESG measurement, stakeholder mapping and analysis of risks and opportunities. Includes gap analysis on the RJ650. \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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2. Develop strategy<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFormulate ESG strategy, targets and KPIs. Develop policies consistent with the mission and board report. \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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3. Implement<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCO\u2082 footprint calculation, implement sustainable procurement policies, set up measurement and reporting structures.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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4. Communicating and reporting<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPrepare sustainability paragraph or ESG report in accordance with RJ650. Internal and external communication towards stakeholders. \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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