How It Works   |   Questions and Answers   |   Fees   |   License Agreement   |   Apply   |   About Charity Seal Licensing

When your charity has earned BBB Accreditation, consider joining the BBB Accredited Charity Seal program. The BBB Seal instantly shows potential donors that your organization has met high standards in an evaluation conducted by Better Business Bureau®, a widely-known and trusted charity monitor.
In a challenging fundraising environment, it can be a great advantage to display the BBB Accredited Charity Seal. This highly-respected trustmark can be placed on a charity website, in emails, in direct mail, and in other solicitations and communications. Only BBB Accredited charities are eligible to join the BBB Accredited Charity Seal program.

Charities that meet all BBB Standards for Charity Accountability are so noted in a report prepared by the BBB Foundation of Metro New York. These charities have the opportunity to license the BBB Accredited Charity Seal. Participation is voluntary. There is no cost to participate in the BBB Charity Accountability evaluation which results in a free BBB Report. Charities that meet all standards are automatically deemed "BBB Accredited" at no cost and this is noted in the charity's BBB Report. BBB Accredited charities are invited to consider joining the Seal program, which is available with a licensing agreement and a modest Seal fee. The sliding-scale Seal fee is based on the level of the charity's total public contributions for the prior fiscal year. To view the current Seal fee schedule, please visit our Seal schedule page. For more information about qualifying and the benefits of opting into the Seal program, please visit our FAQ page.

Visit our Build Trust with Donors page to learn more about how to meet the BBB Standards for Charity Accountability and begin developing a BBB Charity Report. To access a free program about how to meet BBB Standards, visit our Standards Workshops & Webinars page.

If you have any questions about the BBB Accredited Charity Seal program, Seal payment options, or how to begin developing a BBB Report, please email Ella Mead-VanCort at ellamv@newyork.bbb.org or call 212-358-6763. You may also contact usat charity[@]newyork.bbb.orgor call 212-358-2873. We will be happy to help you.