1. What is the need for / value of rating NGOs? (conceptual reasons as well as from your personal experiences i.e. in case they were rated, how would it have helped you?)
Rating is needed for ensuring transparency in financial and non-financial dealings, which is very essential for quality output. This shows the capability of NGOs to deliver output in an
non-objectionable manner.
It may be cautioned that the rating agency should adopt full proof logical methods for judging an NGO’s efficiency, capacity and reach.
2. On what different criteria should / can NGOs / nonprofits / charities / trusts be rated?
Following criteria may be adopted: public standing, honesty, integrity and sense of service of the members quality of projects and programmes conformity with legal requirements extent of members’ involvement in activities and decision-making of NGOs output of projects and programmes financial transparency
3. Who should rate them? i.e. backgrounds of such organisations or individuals.
A body of professionals belonging to social sector, management, business, academics and judiciary. The initiative for constituting such a body may be taken up by an organisation like Karmayog. Rating may not be an all time affair. While applications may be obtained all
through the year, rating should be done only during a specified period. This is suggested keeping in mind adminsitrative convenience.
4. Which NGOs in your (subjective) opinion are outstanding ones in Mumbai?
I am not competent to answer this question.
Anil Kumar Das
info@hdsindia.org
Chairperson
Human Development Sociey
www.hdsindia.org
www.hdsindia.org/HDS