In February 2024, the Board and staff of CODE convened to discuss the organization’s strategic plan for 2025-2030. During the meeting, the team revisited CODE’s vision: achieving success in a world where every child can read and write. The group recognized that this vision, while simple in its statement, contains significant complexity beneath the surface. Realizing such a vision requires careful planning, dedication, and commitment to quality at every level.
Accreditation is a crucial component in ensuring educational quality and supporting successful outcomes for children. Drawing on personal experience as an accredited professional working within accredited organizations, there was considerable enthusiasm when CODE’s management established the objective for CODE to become accredited by Imagine Canada within 18 months.
Imagine Canada is renowned for developing Canada’s most widely recognized nonprofit standards, providing best practices that help organizations strengthen governance and operations. The consensus was clear: if CODE believes every child deserves a quality education, it must also uphold quality within its own organization.
Accreditation by Imagine Canada would serve as external validation of CODE’s commitment to excellence, promote continuous improvement, and build trust and confidence among stakeholders, including donors, employees, the Board, and partner organizations. It would also enhance communication and empowerment internally, as employees gain deeper insight into organizational operations, drive greater performance, and help mitigate risks and liabilities. The board felt that it would lead to a higher level of governance.
The journey to accreditation revealed that while CODE had already developed many strong policies and processes, there were gaps to address. While requiring a high level of work and dedication, everyone at CODE agrees the journey was worthwhile. Every challenge reinforced why this work mattered.
Today, CODE stands accredited by Imagine Canada, and we couldn’t be prouder. This achievement represents our commitment not just to the children whose lives we touch through literacy, but to you, the donors, partners, and advocates who make our work possible. Your support deserves an organization that operates with excellence, transparency, and unwavering dedication to quality.
Thank you for believing in CODE’s mission. Together, we’re building a world where every child can read and write, with the organizational strength to make that vision a reality.