PBS Impact Foundation Earns Candid's 2026 Platinum Seal of Transparency

The PBS Impact Foundation, Inc. has earned the 2026 Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid, the highest level of recognition available through Candid’s nonprofit transparency program.

The achievement represents an important milestone for the Foundation as it continues strengthening its governance, accountability and fundraising infrastructure while expanding its philanthropic impact on behalf of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and the communities it serves.

“Earning the Platinum Seal of Transparency demonstrates our commitment to being responsible stewards of every dollar entrusted to the PBS Impact Foundation,” said Justin Gibson, National Chairman of the PBS Impact Foundation, Inc. “As we grow, it is important that our brothers, donors, corporate partners and philanthropic institutions can clearly understand who we are, what we are working to accomplish and the impact their investments are helping us achieve.”

What the Platinum Seal Means

Candid is a leading source of nonprofit information in the United States. Its Seals of Transparency recognize nonprofits that voluntarily provide increasingly detailed information about their organizations. The four levels are Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum.

To achieve Platinum status in 2026, an organization must satisfy the requirements of the preceding Seal levels and provide additional information about its goals, strategies, impact metrics and board demographics. Candid requires at least one recent quantitative impact metric demonstrating an organization’s progress and results.

For the PBS Impact Foundation, the Platinum Seal provides donors and prospective partners with greater visibility into the Foundation’s mission, leadership, programs, financial information, strategic direction and measurable impact.

The recognition complements the Foundation’s continued investment in scholarships, Sigma Beta Clubs, Chapter Charitable Funds, Regional Impact Funds, community initiatives and philanthropic partnerships.

Building Greater Trust With Donors and Funders

The Platinum Seal is more than a digital badge. It can become an important component of the Foundation’s fundraising strategy.

Candid distributes nonprofit profile information across more than 200 charitable platforms, helping organizations become more visible to individual donors, institutional funders and users of major donor-advised funds. Seal holders also receive a shareable link that provides donors with unrestricted access to their full Candid profile.

That increased transparency can have measurable fundraising benefits. According to Candid, organizations that earn a Seal of Transparency receive 62% more in contributions on average than organizations without a Seal. The statistic applies to Seal holders generally and should not be interpreted as a guarantee that an individual organization will experience the same increase.

For the PBS Impact Foundation, Platinum status can strengthen fundraising in several ways. It provides an independent platform where prospective donors can conduct due diligence, gives corporate and foundation partners greater access to organizational information, enhances credibility during grant and sponsorship conversations, and provides another trust signal that can be incorporated into fundraising proposals, donor communications and the Foundation’s website.

Transparency as the Foundation Grows

The recognition comes during a period of significant growth for the PBS Impact Foundation. As the philanthropic foundation associated with Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., the Foundation is building an infrastructure designed to connect the generosity of Sigma men, chapters, families, corporations, foundations and community partners with opportunities to make a lasting charitable impact.

Maintaining the Platinum Seal will require the Foundation to continue keeping its public information current and demonstrating measurable results. Candid recommends that nonprofits update their profiles at least annually so funders have access to timely information.

For the Foundation, that expectation aligns with a broader commitment: growth must be accompanied by accountability.

“This recognition belongs to everyone who has invested in our mission and believes in what this Foundation can become,” Gibson added. “We want our supporters to know not only that their gifts make an impact, but that we are committed to transparency, strong governance and responsible stewardship as we pursue an even greater level of philanthropic impact.”

The PBS Impact Foundation will display its 2026 Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency across its digital and fundraising materials and continue providing donors and partners with information about its programs, goals and results.