The Quality Mark is free, requires no additional workload and provides evidence to funders and other stakeholders of your commitment to excellence. Click Register Now to join us

The Quality Mark is free and requires no additional workload. Additionally, most systems apply a one-size-fits all approach to a hugely varied sector, assessments are every few years and often time consuming. The CEF QM creates a unique framework to meet your specific needs, the assessment is ongoing and it requires no additional support, training or paperwork.

"We are really pleased to have achieved this quality mark and thank you for the ease of which we were able to assess our effectiveness….. The framework clarified our achievements and made them quantifiable, but also helped to highlight where we want to improve further".

The Living Room Herts

It provides demonstrable evidence to stakeholders and funders, of your commitment to maximising impact and delivering maximum value-for-money. Reassurance for your trustees that the charity is well run and the necessary quality systems are in place and working. Recognition for your staff and volunteers for what they are achieving and confidence that key quality and safety systems are operating well.

Performance areas assessed

Your assessment covers every area of activity: promoting good governance, maximising strategic impact, effectively leading and managing people, maximising operational delivery, effectively managing risk, efficient use of finance and resources, maximising income generation and developing communications effectiveness.

The system also assesses other key areas, such as maximising impact, leadership, realism & capability, legal & compliance, delivering value for money, sustainability and how well everyone is kept safe from harm.

Performance in each of these areas is continuously updated on your dashboard.

“more thought-provoking than other Quality Mark systems that I have seen and/or used”. 4Sight Vision Support

Quality Mark qualifying criteria

The criteria are set to match your annual planning cycle, with each questionnaire to be completed at least once within the previous 12 month period.

The Quality Mark is awarded at the sole discretion of Alumna, which reserves the right to withhold or withdraw this, if in the view of Alumna, a voluntary organisation falls below the standards expected of a well-run not for profit. This may include, but is not restricted to, any attempt to ‘game’ the system, behaviour or standards that fall below the professionalism expected of a well-run charity, being subject to censure by the Charity Commission, or other regulatory authority, or an adverse audit or other report, the disqualification of directors, or being found against in legal proceedings.

In the event that a Quality Mark award is withheld or withdrawn, the charity will be advised and may appeal the decision in writing, within one calendar month, stating the grounds on which the appeal is based. The appeal will be considered and the charity advised of the outcome, the decision of which will be final.