The code, which will come into effect in January, lays out standards for managing and reporting financial and fundraising activities. World Vision was one of the first 11 charities to commit to the code.

This is important to anyone who needs to make a decision about which charity to entrust with donations. It will help donors to know that an organization like Imagine is setting and maintaining standards in regards to fundraising and financial practices.

Imagine is a national charitable organization that looks into and out for Canada's 82,000 charities and nonprofits. People have a lot of choices when it comes to where to give their time and money. Imagine's code gives Canadians one more way they can make an informed choice. Click here for an overview of the new ethical code.

"We are committed to being a leader in this move to regulate charity activities at a higher level. Being accountable and transparent to our donors is a core part of being a good charity," says Dave Toycen, president and CEO of World Vision Canada. "We do our work on their behalf. Public trust in charities is vital if we are going to be able to continue to do development, relief and advocacy to benefit the world's children."

In addition to the Imagine Code of Ethics, World Vision also follow several other sets of ethical guidelines including the Canadian Council for International Cooperation. CIDA and the World Food Programme strictly monitor our work whenever we receive grants or undertake work on their behalf.  World Vision distributes more food for the World Food Programme than any other NGO.

World Vision will continue to comply with regulations set out by the federal and provincial governments and is accountable to an independent, volunteer board of directors.

Information about World Vision fundraising and program spending can be found in our annual report, audited by KPMG LLP, and here on our Web site.