The Triple Lock Standard is awarded annually to charities that demonstrate the highest standards of transparency, governance, and ethical fundraising. It ensures the public, donors, and beneficiaries can trust that these organisations operate with professionalism, integrity, and openness. It signals to donors and supporters that a charity is professionally run, financially accountable, and committed to delivering meaningful impact. By supporting a Triple Lock charity, you can be confident your contribution is making a real difference.

As part of our 2024–2027 Strategy, we’re strengthening the Triple Lock standard and streamlining the application process to reinforce public and donor confidence in charities that meet this benchmark of professionalism, integrity, and transparency. To support this, we’ve adopted Submit.com to manage applications and preserve a accurate audit trail.

To apply for the Triple Lock you must be a member of Charities Institute Ireland and meet the following standards

• Transparent Reporting: Charities meeting the Triple Lock standard prepare and publish prepare annual reports and financial statements in full compliance with the Charity SORP (Statement of Recommended Practice under FRS102), or the most appropriate version pertinent to the Charity’s operations, (e.g. Approved Housing Bodies) on their websites for public access.
• Good Governance: Triple Lock charities adopt the Charities Governance Code, meeting all core principles and additional standards (if applicable) to ensure strong, accountable leadership.
• Ethical Fundraising: Triple Lock charities commit to follow the Charities Regulator’s Guidelines for Charitable Organisations on Fundraising from the Public to ensure donations are raised and used responsibly and ethically.

Documentation to Prepare in Advance

• A Triple Lock Board Declaration of Conformity, confirming your organisation’s conformity with Triple Lock standards, signed by the Chair and one other Board member.
• Click here to download watermarked copy for Board Approval. The signing process is managed through Adobe Sign. You will be asked to enter the names and email addresses of the Chair and one other Board member. Once your application has been reviewed and the organisation qualifies, both signatories will receive an Adobe Sign link to complete the declaration. 
• Upload a copy of your organisation's Tax Clearance Certificate Result dated within 28 days of your application.
• A link to your organisation’s public record on the CRA Register of Charities
• A link to your organisation’s public record of CRO filings (if your organisation is a registered company)
• A link to where your past and most recent Annual Reports (including the trustees’ annual report and full financial statements) are publicly available on your website

How to Apply

Important: All applications must be submitted through the official Triple Lock application platform, hosted by Submit.com. To apply, you are required to create a new and separate user profile on this platform.

Please note: This is a different system and login and is not connected to the Charities Institute Ireland (Cii) website or your Cii account.

Once you create your Triple Lock profile, you will be able to:

• Access and complete the application form
• Upload supporting documents
• Edit your draft application and save your progress at any time
• Verified applicant signature via Submit.com

To begin your application, click below to create your Triple Lock account on Submit.com.

If you have any questions about the process, please contact us at triplelock@charitiesinstitute.ie.