Certification
Certification should be earned—not purchased.
The assessment fee covers the process. It does not guarantee a positive outcome. Credentials are issued only after the relevant evidence and institutional requirements have been assessed.
Badge
Designed for recognition.
The public badge should always link back to a live verification record so donors can confirm status rather than relying on a static image.
Certificate
A record, not a decoration.
The certificate should state the assessed entity, credential ID, issue date, validity, current status and verification route.