By: Nichole Potzauf, CERF+ Director of Advancement
At the Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF+), transparency, trust, and a deep culture of care guide how we work with craft artists and the supporters who make our mission possible. We are proud to share that CERF+ has consistently earned the Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid, the highest level of recognition for nonprofit openness. This distinction reflects our commitment to openly sharing information about our mission, programs, leadership, and finances—so donors can feel confident that care, responsibility, and clarity are embedded in everything we do.
The Candid Seal of Transparency helps donors and funders better understand nonprofit organizations. Offered by Candid, the nonprofit formed from GuideStar and Foundation Center, the Seal is awarded at four levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. The Platinum Seal represents the most comprehensive level of disclosure, requiring organizations to share detailed and current information regularly. While the Seal is not a rating, it signals a strong commitment to accountability and open communication.
An essential part of this transparency is helping supporters understand the role of administrative costs in sustaining a culture of care. Administrative funding supports the systems that allow organizations to function responsibly and humanely, such as financial oversight, compliance, technology, staff support, and donor services. These costs ensure that teams are equipped, programs are delivered thoughtfully, and care is extended not only to those we serve, but also to the people doing the work. Nationally, organizations like the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance have recommended a range of 25-35% of expenses for overhead (which includes both administrative and fundraising costs). These benchmarks are widely referenced as a reasonable range for many U.S. charities, although actual percentages vary by organization size, mission, and reporting practices, reflecting the real and necessary costs of responsible operations.
This is why unrestricted funding is so important. Unrestricted gifts give nonprofits the flexibility to allocate resources where they are most needed, including administrative and operational expenses that keep services consistent, responsive, and sustainable. For CERF+, unrestricted support allows us to respond with care during emergencies, invest in staff capacity, and maintain readiness—ensuring we can show up for craft artists when they need us most.
By consistently maintaining Candid’s Platinum Seal of Transparency, CERF+ reaffirms its commitment to openness, stewardship, and a culture of care. We are deeply grateful to our supporters who understand that strong infrastructure and unrestricted funding are essential to sustaining this work. We invite you to explore our Candid profile to learn more about how your support helps CERF+ remain a trusted and compassionate resource for craft artists nationwide. Please consider making a donation today.
To learn more about nonprofits, overhead costs, and transparency, we invite to explore the following articles:
National Council of Nonprofits – “(Mis)Understanding Overhead”
This resource explains how administrative and fundraising costs are often misunderstood, highlights that “overhead” includes essential expenses for running a nonprofit, and discusses why low overhead isn’t always a reliable proxy for organizational health.
Forbes Nonprofit Council – “Don’t Let Overhead Costs Go Over Your Head”
This article discusses how administrative and fundraising costs are investments in infrastructure and operations, essential for long-term sustainability, and challenges the misconception that low overhead is always better.
Chronicle of Philanthropy – “Spending on Fundraising and Admin Makes Nonprofits More Resilient, Research Shows”
This piece highlights research suggesting that allocating funds to administrative and fundraising costs (rather than minimizing them) can help nonprofits build capacity and resilience over time.
Nonprofit Overhead Costs Analysis – Urban Institute Brief
A research brief discussing nonprofit overhead data based on IRS Form 990 filings, showing real nonprofit spending patterns and challenging simplistic ideas about overhead.
Foundation Group – “Why Nonprofit Overhead Matters: Debunking the Overhead Myth”
Provides a narrative on the historical “overhead myth,” why it emerged, and why overhead investment is necessary (including benchmarks for administrative spending).
