Transparency promise
Trust grows when records are visible.
Private records stay private. Public summaries, open-source designs, and project updates should be clear, approved, and easy for supporters to understand.
| Area | Public-facing promise | Internal record to maintain |
|---|---|---|
| Legal status | Show state nonprofit status and federal tax-exempt status only when confirmed. | State certificate, EIN letter, IRS application, determination letter if issued. |
| Governance | Name board/officer roles once approved and keep conflicts disclosed. | Bylaws, board minutes, conflict-of-interest policy, officer list. |
| Money | Publish approved totals and project categories, not raw private records. | Bank statements, receipts, donation records, project budgets, chart of accounts. |
| Projects | Explain what each project is trying to do, what it needs, and what changed. | Scopes, timelines, budgets, risks, photos, volunteer logs, outcomes. |
| Open source | Publish approved designs and lessons so other communities can replicate the model. | Design files, build notes, licensing notes, safety notes, revision history. |