What 日本非営利組織評価センター does

JCNE (公益財団法人日本非営利組織評価センター, Japan Center for NPO Evaluation) is a public interest incorporated foundation established on April 1, 2016, with founding support from the Nippon Foundation, that operates as Japan's only private-sector, nationwide third-party NPO evaluation and certification body. It serves Japanese nonprofit organizations—including certified and specified nonprofit corporations (認定・特例認定特定非営利活動法人), general incorporated associations/foundations, public interest corporations, and social welfare corporations—across 43 of 47 prefectures. Its core products are three evaluation/certification systems: the Good Governance Certification (27-criterion framework with on-site review, launched 2018), the Basic Governance Check (25-criterion document-review-and-self-check framework, accumulated 1,000+ applications by May 2023), and the Good Giving Mark (14 criteria across 5 domains covering existence verification, governance, compliance, fund management, and information disclosure, launched April 2025 with 3-year validity). The technology backbone is a web-based evaluation portal (goodgiving-portal.jcne.or.jp) supporting document submission, self-check workflows, and result notification, complemented by ISMS/ISO 27001 certification (obtained October 2025).

The business model has shifted from a freemium, foundation-funded model—where Basic Governance Check and Good Governance Certification were provided free during the promotional period (new applications stopped October 2024)—to a paid subscription-style certification model under the Good Giving Mark from April 2025 onward, with tiered initial and renewal fees. Revenue is not publicly disclosed. Go-to-market combines self-serve online applications, monthly online briefing sessions, webinars, conference participation (FRJ Special in Tokyo), and a referral channel through 12 grant foundations (including Nippon Foundation, Toyota Foundation, Yamato Welfare Foundation) whose 23 grant programs collectively total 519 billion yen. Distribution is amplified by a nationwide network of 47 prefectural NPO support organizations and integration with donation platforms (Amazon Japan, Conglant, Yahoo! Net Donation, For Good, OSUSO, Otakara Aid, Kifufu, actcoin) and service providers (Conglant, Ritaworks, Fujitsu Pro Bono).

Name

日本非営利組織評価センター

Legal name

公益財団법인日本非効率組織評価センター

Website

https://jcne.or.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Short description

JCNE (Japan Center for NPO Evaluation) is a public interest foundation that operates Japan's only private-sector, nationwide third-party evaluation and certification systems for nonprofit organizations, serving certified NPOs and public interest corporations across 43 prefectures with the Good Giving Mark and related governance certifications.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Evaluation and Certification Services

NAICS

Other Services (except Public Administration) (81)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Conformity Assessment, Testing, Inspection & Certification Cooperation (BPADANAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Standards Development & Publishing (SDOs, Technical Standards) (MPAJACAB)

Keywords

• NPO evaluation services
• Nonprofit governance certification
• Third-party certification
• Organizational governance assessment
• Charity accountability standards

Headquarters

HQ city

Minato-ku, Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Evaluation and certification services: All evaluation and certification services are currently provided free of charge during a promotion period. The organization is a public interest incorporated foundation (公益财产安全法人) and does not charge NPOs for Basic Governance Check, Advance Evaluation, or Good Governance Certification services.
2. Good Giving Mark certification (new system): A new paid certification system launched in April 2025 with tiered pricing for initial certification and renewal. The Good Giving Mark certification carries fees for authentication services including document review, compliance checks, and online interviews.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

JCNE (Japan Center for NPO Evaluation) is a public interest incorporated foundation that provides third-party evaluation and certification services for Japanese nonprofit organizations. Its core offerings are the Good Governance Certification (a 27-criteria highest-tier certification), the Basic Governance Check (a 25-criteria entry-level self-check), and the Good Giving Mark (a paid certification launched April 2025 focused on protecting charity supporters and verifying donation-handling integrity).

Product overview

Japan Center for NPO Evaluation (JCNE) operates multiple organization evaluation and certification systems for nonprofit organizations. The main offerings include the Good Governance Certification System (highest-tier certification requiring all 27 criteria to be met with on-site evaluation), the Basic Governance Check (entry-level evaluation with 25 criteria, results publicly listed), and the Good Giving Mark System (newest certification launched April 2025 focused on supporter protection, evaluating governance, compliance, fund management, and information disclosure). Additionally, JCNE provides evaluation report publications, evaluation examiner training, and various collaboration programs with grant foundations and corporate partners.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 公益財団법인日本非効率組織評価センター（JCNE）:

Products and services

• Good Governance Certification System (グッドガバナンス認証)

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,500 organizations evaluated across Japan (cumulative since 2016)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration10 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• リタワークス株式会社 (Ritaworks Co., Ltd.)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 June 2026Ritaworks provides the 'nuweb' web design service specifically for nonprofits, with a special discount program for JCNE-certified organizations (20% off). Announced as a new partnership in June 2026.
• コングラント株式会社 (Conglant Co., Ltd.)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 24 May 2022Partnership with Conglant's donation payment and donor management platform 'congrant'. JCNE-certified organizations receive 20% discount on Conglant usage fees. Additionally, Good Governance Certified organizations get 20% off on 'nuweb' website design services. Conglant serves 1,200 organizations with 2.7 billion yen in donation throughput.
• アマゾンジャパン合同会社 (Amazon Japan)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 December 2020Amazon Japan's 'Amazon みんなで応援' (Amazon Everyone's Support) program enables Good Governance Certified organizations to list on the program without additional screening, since their charitable status is pre-verified through JCNE certification. JCNE and Amazon Japan announced the partnership in December 2020, allowing certified NPOs to create wish lists and receive material donations from supporters. Amazon Japan reports approximately 60,000 donated items distributed across participating organizations.
• 全日本レガシーギフト協会 (National Legacy Gift Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJCNE collaborates with the National Legacy Gift Association on legacy gift (遺贈寄付) certification. JCNE is an 'Advanced Legacy Partner' of the association. Good Governance Certified organizations are recommended as reliable legacy gift recipients. JCNE follows the association's 'Legacy Gift Ethics Guidelines'.
• 公益財団法人日本財団 (Nippon Foundation)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerNippon Foundation provides grant support to JCNE and recommends its funded organizations undergo Basic Governance Check. As of 2021, Nippon Foundation's grant programs represent hundreds of billions of yen in total grants. The foundation actively promotes JCNE evaluation among its grantees.
• 公益信的基金会ヤマト福祉財団 (Yamato Welfare Foundation)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerYamato Welfare Foundation references JCNE evaluation in its grant application processes and actively promotes Basic Governance Check among its grantees. The foundation provides feedback and support for JCNE's governance standards development.
• 公益信的基金会トヨタ財団 (Toyota Foundation)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerToyota Foundation includes JCNE evaluation criteria in its grant application requirements, referencing organizational evaluation status as part of the application review process.
• 全日本ピアノ指導者協会 (Pianist Association)minorOthersPianist Association (Pianist Association) is among the Good Governance Certified organizations listed as legacy gift recipients, accepting legacy donations for music education programs and young pianist international support.
• 全日本47都道府県のNPO支援組織 (47 Prefectural NPO Support Organizations)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorA nationwide network of regional intermediary support organizations including Aomori NPO Support Center, Iwate Disaster Recovery Center, NPO Support Center, Ohmi Network Center, Okayama NPO Center, Kyoto NPO Center, Sendai-Miyagi NPO Center, and 40+ other organizations listed as endorsing partners. These organizations help spread awareness of JCNE evaluation systems among local NPOs.
• 富士通株式会社プロボノ部 (Fujitsu Pro Bono Program)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFujitsu's pro bono program provides professional skills volunteering to JCNE-certified organizations, helping enhance their organizational capacity as part of the NPO utilization examples.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• National Council of Nonprofits: US network of nonprofit organizations providing advocacy and capacity building. Broader incumbent in the nonprofit support ecosystem where JCNE operates.
• Independent Sector: US national membership organization for nonprofits, foundations, and corporate giving programs. Broad incumbent in nonprofit sector coordination with overlap to JCNE's ecosystem role.

Direct peers

• BBB Wise Giving Alliance: US charity accreditation body that evaluates nonprofits against standards for donor trust. Comparable to JCNE's Good Governance Certification in methodology and donor-protection orientation.
• CharityWatch: US independent charity watchdog that assesses nonprofits for donors. Comparable to JCNE in providing independent ratings and promoting accountability in the nonprofit sector.
• Charity Navigator: US-based nonprofit evaluator that rates charities on financial health, accountability, and transparency. Most comparable direct peer to JCNE's NPO evaluation and rating business model.
• Candid (formerly GuideStar): US-based nonprofit transparency platform providing nonprofit profiles and Seal of Transparency. Directly comparable to JCNE's role as a third-party verifier of NPO information disclosure.
• 社会的認証開発推進機構 (Social Trust Development Organization): Japan-based social certification body listed as a JCNE partner. Operates in the same NPO trust certification space with overlapping subject matter.

Regional players

• 日本ファンドレイジング協会 (Japan Fundraising Association): Japan-based fundraising association listed as a JCNE partner. Operates in adjacent nonprofit capacity-building space within the same Japanese market.
• 全国コミュニティ財団協会 (Community Foundations Japan): Japan association of community foundations. Adjacent regional player in the Japanese philanthropic infrastructure that JCNE serves and partners with.
• European Foundation Centre / Philanthropy Europe: Europe-based philanthropy platform supporting foundations and funders. Comparable in cross-foundation standards and convening role, but operates in a different geography.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/npoeval

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about 日本非営利組織評価センター