Paragon Philanthropy empowers your foundation or DAF to give directly to the foreign grantees of your choice with peace of mind.

Making an international grant from a U.S. foundation or DAF requires more than just Equivalency Determination or Expenditure Responsibility. We help you meet the requirements for direct cross-border grantmaking and provide specialized back office support to save your team valuable time and effort.

Securing wire information (with verbal verification) and confirming receipt of funds.

Custom add-ons including Politically Exposed Persons (PEP) Screening, Adverse Media Screening, and tailored grantee research.

A fast turnaround on all services to work within your grantmaking timeline.

“Paragon surpasses other providers I’ve seen with their level of due diligence and delivers much more than basic ED or ER vetting. I have recommended Paragon to other grantmakers for their extensive service offerings, exceptional customer service, reasonable fees and timeliness. Working with Paragon, our foundation benefits from time and cost savings along with peace of mind.”

— Colin Richardson, Director of Grants Administration, The San Francisco Foundation

Equivalency Determination PLUS

In addition to the Equivalency Determination letter issued to the grantmaker by a collaborating outside Qualified Tax Practitioner, Equivalency Determination PLUS includes watch list screening (SDN search, etc.) at the Silver Vetting level and review of foreign country requirements affecting the grantmaker and grantee. We manage all communications with the foreign grantee, review required documents, secure grantee signatures, obtain international wire transfer information, and confirm receipt of funds.

Our service includes pre-screening for any red flags, reducing the chance that you will pay for an Equivalency Determination that is unsuccessful. There is no membership fee.

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Expenditure Responsibility PLUS

In addition to required Expenditure Responsibility steps, Expenditure Responsibility PLUS includes watch list screening (SDN search, etc.) at the Silver Vetting level and review of foreign country requirements affecting the grantmaker and grantee. We manage all communications with the foreign grantee, review required documents, secure grantee signatures, obtain international wire transfer information, and confirm receipt of funds.

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Watch List Screening

When making international grants or payments, it is important to adopt specific practices that lessen the risk of diversion of charitable funds by terrorist organizations and their support networks. Grantmakers that fail to take appropriate steps can face significant penalties if funds are diverted and counterterrorism regulations are violated. 

Paragon's anti-terrorist financing screening service, which encompasses watch list screening and related steps, assists your grantmaking public charity, private foundation, or DAF in complying with U.S. laws, statutes, and regulations related to combating terrorist financing.

We handle the search for you, implement match resolution logic, secure secondary information from the foreign grantee as needed (Silver Vetting and above), and generate a written report for your file.

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Politically Exposed Persons (PEP) Screening

A Politically Exposed Person (PEP) is an individual who has been granted a prominent public function. Due to a PEP's position and influence, transacting with a PEP can increase the risk of exposure to bribery and corruption. PEP screening can complement other forms of screening employed by corporate foundations and other grantmakers, such as watchlist screening or adverse media screening (AMS). We handle the search for you using the Dow Jones RiskCenter platform, verify matches in communication with the foreign grantee, and generate a written report for your file.

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Adverse Media Screening (AMS)

Screening for adverse media is one way for a grantmaker to reduce risk in the context of domestic and cross-border grantmaking. Adverse media screening (AMS) can complement other forms of screening employed by corporate foundations and other grantmakers, such as watchlist screening or screening for Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs). Our team conducts screening via the Dow Jones RiskCenter platform and will generate a written report for your file.

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Meeting Foreign Country Requirements

Equivalency Determination PLUS and Expenditure Responsibility PLUS services include verifying compliance with foreign country requirements.  Countries may require that a grantee obtain special registration, or secure specific information about the grantmaker prior to receiving foreign funding. Not meeting such requirements, where they exist, could put a grantee’s staff or operations at risk, or result in grant funds being sequestered by a foreign government.

A review of foreign country restrictions and requirements should form an integral part of your foundation's international grantmaking procedures. This is underscored by global trends toward a ‘closing space’ for international philanthropy. Paragon's article in Alliance Magazine, Internationally Engaged Foundations: Coping with the Disabling Environment, discusses some of the existing risks, challenges, and solutions.

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“We have been working with Paragon for a couple years now and couldn’t be more pleased with the relationship. Paragon relieves us of all the burdensome requirements associated with processing international grants. Because Paragon is so thorough, professional and responsive, I can count on the work being performed accurately and in a timely manner. They are also simply a pleasure to work with. I highly recommend Paragon Philanthropy.”

— Pegine E. Grayson, Senior Vice President/Philanthropic Services, Whittier Trust